Century 21

About Century 21

Century 21 Department Stores filed for bankruptcy on September 10, 2020. The discount retailer had 13 stores in the New York metropolitan area. The COVID pandemic caused a 60 percent decline in sales. Insurance payments for September 11 damage had helped build the brand but were not repeated. Century 21 had built a loyal following for designer merchandise at discount prices. The Gindi family, owners of Century 21, blamed insurance companies for insufficient business interruption payments. Century 21 relaunched as an online retailer in 2021. In 2023, the company reopened its flagship store in lower Manhattan. The Century 21 story reflects both the challenges of brick and mortar retail and the resilience of family owned businesses.