Century 21 to reopen iconic lower Manhattan store within weeks

Submitted by Draydaze67 t3_115hpde in nyc

according to the NY Daily News

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

It was there, across the street from the shimmering towers, that faithful customers found their best bargains.

“This isn’t your average comeback story,” Marc Benitez, the store’s president, said at the time. “As we embark on this new chapter, we’ll be closely evaluating every aspect of the business — from the locations to the experience known to many as the thrill of the hunt.”

Benitez said that the plans would include opening stores outside the U.S. for the first time and opening stores in New York.

The re-opened Cortlandt Street location will span the four main floors of the original downtown space and will offer men’s, women’s and children’s designer apparel, footwear, outerwear, handbags, accessories and fragrances.

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Comments

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Minelayer t1_j91q08z wrote

I can now clothe myself again!!

40

ECK-2188 t1_j91s9ha wrote

I haven’t been inside century 21 since 1999.

I wouldn’t even know what to expect. I remember they always needed to service those elevators.

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drpvn t1_j91u2xe wrote

Send out the bat signal to the Eurotrash.

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actionguy87 t1_j9201vu wrote

And I was wondering "what's so great about a real estate office reopening?" lol

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simcitymayor t1_j920taz wrote

I suspect the business model of these discount stores relied on an inefficiency in the business model of main brand stores, and that inefficiency no longer exists. Those main stores now sell excess inventory via their own websites, and that gives them away to sell the pieces that still were in demand and what remains is no longer good fodder for C21 in terms of price or desirability.

C21 may come back, but there is no secret supply of fashion that will distinguish itself from other department stores.

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kinky_boots t1_j92fnar wrote

Now if they announce they’ll reopen their original Bay Ridge 86th St location that’ll be cause for celebration!

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virtual_adam t1_j92s28k wrote

Replying to simcitymayor (#1,858,781)

That ended more than a decade ago. Probably closer to 2 decades. Outlet stores sell stuff that’s made for outlet, many times without any connection to the original company who is licensing their logo

this article is a pretty good summary

It was always easy to identify the real leftover stuff at C21, there was usually a single rack for the entire store, stuff had extra protections on it for theft

The rest of the store was just licensed crap tourists thought was “good quality” because of the logo

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bklyngaucho t1_j936l45 wrote

Used to be some good sneakers finds if you spent time looking through all the stacks.

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squee_bastard t1_j93731z wrote

Replying to kinky_boots (#1,860,035)

I loved the C21 home and shoes store behind the main 86th street store. i found so many good things over the years that I still use today. I always ended those visits with a stop at Pizza Wagon for a slice and a coke.

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SanguShellz t1_j93b2g9 wrote

I got some really good selections in C21 that lasted for years. I'm glad they are back. Shopping online just isn't the same because the prices are just too out of reach.

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FentCheck t1_j93lxiu wrote

Shopping there used to be a back-to-school tradition. Still remember the outfit my mom bought me September 9, 2001

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Own_Decision_4063 t1_j93wg2o wrote

The few times that I shopped there it was extremely overcrowded, full of tourists grabbibg everything, and very disorganized with the layout. Nothing there worth the time or money. Thank goodness for online clothing shopping!

0

DFB- t1_j9436wn wrote

Call me when they're shutting down again. Their sales were crazy. I managed to snag a Ralph Lauren suit for about $50 weeks before they closed

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MoistMaker83 t1_j95dhip wrote

“This isn’t your average comeback story,” Marc Benitez, the store’s president, said at the time. “As we embark on this new chapter, we’ll be closely evaluating every aspect of the business — from the locations to the experience known to many as the thrill of the hunt.”

They weren't doing that before?!?

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Gimme_The_Loot t1_j95laye wrote

Replying to squee_bastard (#1,862,354)

It wasn't until it closed that I realized how much I relied on it, even just for random stuff. No matter if you needed a jacket, dress shirt, belt, socks or literally anything else possible you could bag it there

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Apprehensive_Arts t1_j97vkmb wrote

Ugh I used to work there pre-COVID and out of every job I’ve ever had it was by far the worst work environment I ever experienced. Not to mention all the sexual harassment (and assault) that female employees there experienced from management. Was hoping karma came for them lol

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z0rb0r t1_j98l8y1 wrote

Coke back to Queens!

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