Century 21 will reopen an iconic store in Lower Manhattan

Century 21, the discount store that New Yorkers know and love, will reopen in a few weeks at its flagship store in Lower Manhattan, in the shadow of the World Trade Center.

It was there, across the street from the twinkling towers, that loyal shoppers found their best deals.

It was there that businesses were hit hard by the terrorist attack on the World Trade Center, becoming an emotional flashpoint during and after 9/11.

The store was evacuated after the first plane crashed into the World Trade Center and the interior suffered significant damage from the collapse of the Twin Towers.

Initially, it was not certain that the store would be rebuilt, but the owners decided to stay where they were, and the store was renovated and reopened on February 28, 2002, five months after the attacks.

Thousands of people waited for hours on the morning after opening to receive that day’s sales receipt.

Century 21 department store next to the World Trade Center on Thursday, September 1, 2016.

The store then struggled to make ends meet in the early days of the coronavirus pandemic, filing for bankruptcy and closing the downtown store and 12 other stores between October and December 2020.

Store executives said the decision came after its insurance companies refused to pay out an estimated $175 million in policies to protect Century 21 from losses incurred during the pandemic.

A few months later, store executives announced that Century 21 would reopen in 2021, but the move has been delayed until now.

“This is no ordinary comeback story,” Marc Benitez, the store’s president, said at the time. “As we embark on this new chapter, we will be carefully evaluating every aspect of the business, from locations to experiences known to many as the thrill of the hunt.”

Benítez said plans include opening stores outside the US for the first time and opening stores in New York.

The reopened Cortlandt Street store will occupy four main floors of the original downtown space and will offer men’s, women’s and children’s designer apparel, shoes, outerwear, bags, accessories and fragrances.

The iconic retailer is teaming up with premium experience company Legends to bring an updated shopping experience to the store’s loyal fans.

Century 21 opened its first location in lower Manhattan in 1961.

Content Source

California Press News – Latest News:
Los Angeles Local News || Bay Area Local News || California News || Lifestyle News || National news || Travel News || Health News

Related Articles

Back to top button