Bargain store Century 21 closes its doors after 60 years

Century 21 Stores — a destination for bargain hunters looking for fat deals on designer dresses and shoes, cosmetics and housewares for nearly 60 years — has filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy and is winding down its business, shutting all 13 stores across New York, New Jersey, Pennsylvania and Florida.

In a statement, Century 21 said that the decision followed nonpayment by the company's insurance providers of approximately $175 million due under policies put in place to protect against losses stemming from business interruption. That insurance money helped it rebuild its flagship store, a magnet for locals and tourists in downtown Manhattan after it was damaged by the September 11 attacks, the New York-based company said.

"We now have no viable alternative but to begin the closure of our beloved family business because our insurers, to whom we have paid significant premiums every year for protection against unforeseen circumstances like we are experiencing today, have turned their backs on us at this most critical time," said Century 21 co-CEO Raymond Gindi in statement.

Century 21 says it's starting going-out-of business sales at all of its stores and online.

The seller joins more than two dozen retailers that have filed for bankruptcy since the pandemic, which has forced nonessential stores to temporarily close. Notable brands to go bust include Brooks Brothers, J. Crew, Neiman Marcus, J.C. Penney and Lord & Taylor.

Brooks Brothers will be purchased for $325 million by a retail venture owned by licensing company Authentic Brands Group and mall owner Simon Property Group. Lord & Taylor, one of the country's oldest and most iconic department stores, permanently closed its remaining 38 stores earlier this month.

Gindi said that if Century 21 had received "any meaningful portion" of the insurance proceeds, it would have been able "to save thousands of jobs and weather the storm in hopes of another incredible recovery."

The company said that it's removing from the bankruptcy court a lawsuit pending in the Supreme Court of the State of New York against several of its insurance providers based on their failure to compensate the company for its losses under the policies. The company is requesting that the bankruptcy court expedite the adjudication of the suit for the benefit of its stakeholders.