Century 21 has reopened in its Financial District flagship in Manhattan after nearly three years of closure. Located at 22 Cortlandt Street, the bargain fashion retailer first opened in the 1960s as a family operation run by Al and Sonny Gindi. The size of the store, once ranked among the largest retail locations in Manhattan, has been reduced from its original six-story footprint to four floors at the primary 22 Cortlandt Street building.
The Gindi family filed for bankruptcy on September 10, 2020, officially shuddering the historic flagship and its portfolio of 13 Century 21 retail locations, as well as laying off thousands of employees. On May 16, 2023, The Gindi family was joined by Mayor Eric Adams to celebrate the store’s grand reopening, along with hundreds of patrons who queued around the block. In a statement from the family, the return of the flagship includes a rehire of 150 former employees.
“Century 21 is, and always will be, a New York City brand,” said Raymond Gindi, Century 21’s co-chief executive offer, in an official statement. “Our flagship store has been a long-time symbol of this city’s resilience and unwavering spirit. In our 60-year history, we have only closed our doors twice, once after the devastation of 9/11 and then again during the COVID-19 pandemic. But like the true New Yorkers we are, we have persevered.”
Signage at the reopened Century 21 retail store – Photo by Michael Appleton, Mayoral Photography Office
Retail windows at the reopened Century 21 retail store – Photo by Michael Appleton, Mayoral Photography Office
Subscribe to YIMBY’s daily e-mail
Follow YIMBYgram for real-time photo updates
Like YIMBY on Facebook
Follow YIMBY’s Twitter for the latest in YIMBYnews
I went to the Grand reopening of C21 store and this is my report.
If you, like me, a big fan of the store, you’re in for a disappointment. It’s not the store I remember. First of all, it’s half the size and only 4 floors. I must admit that it looks very modern, bright and clean. Almost all staff is young people. Everybody was very friendly and helpful. Obviously, I headed to the 3rd floor to the men’s department. I was so excited and was looking forward to find treasures among the racks. I kept looking for well known international brands, especially Italian, that I always found here. But there we’re almost none. I saw a few racks of tacky Versace and overpriced Dior t shirts with loud logos, some strange looking sweatshirts by Celine at insane prices, but that was it! Most of the merchandise was some obscure random designers I never heard of, basically street style casual clothes that I wouldn’t touch. I was really shocked. As it turns out, they decided to target “younger “ consumer with upcoming designers and “fast fashion “, whatever that means. What a letdown!
I, somehow, ended up with 3 items and not because I “had to have them”, but I felt I didn’t want to leave empty handed after standing in line for hours.
In the men’s shoe department there were some good brands, such as Tods, Santoni, Balmain. But the prices were steep. And not every size. I ended up with a pair of Balmain sneakers ( originally $650, C21 price $350). The shoe department was a zoo. But many salespeople were ready to assist.
The checkout was a nightmare: I guess because it was the first day and the new personnel was still trying to figure out what is what. The place was packed. My overall impression: it’s not the C21 we all loved, it a totally different experience and the merchandise is very disappointing. I doubt I will be a regular customer the way I used to be if things remain the same. I hope you get a better experience.
Congratulations, you now own a fancy pair of French sneakers no different in any way than a sneaker costing 1/3 the cost. Get your head examined.
Maybe the only thing more vulgar than bragging about a deal you got is pretending that you always get a better one.
At the new century 21, is there a intimate apparel floor and a housewares dept including bathroom rugs
No, there’s none, unfortunately.