Fashion Chain Closing 15 NJ Stores, Including AC, Mays Landing

The once-popular mall staple Forever 21 has plans to close all 15 of its New Jersey stores in the coming months as part of a nationwide downsizing of at least 200 stores.

A report says that the New Jersey Forever 21 stores are closing, including locations in the Hamilton Mall in Mays Landing and the Tanger Outlets in Atlantic City.

Other New Jersey locations in Deptford Mall, Cherry Hill Mall, and Ocean County Mall in Toms River are also set to close, according to WPIX11.com.

The company filed for bankruptcy in 2019 and has been looking for a buyer. If the fashion retailer cannot find a buyer, it will reportedly liquidate its remaining 350 stores.

Forever 21 Innovated Fast Fashion Trend

South Korean-based Forever 21 helped pioneer the fast-fashion trend worldwide in the 1990s, a business model that involves quickly made, inexpensive clothing that mimics the latest styles.

Fast fashion has been criticized for causing extensive damage to the planet, exploiting workers, and harming animals.

At one time, Forever 21 had about 800 stores worldwide, including about 500 in the United States.

Only about 350 Forever 21 U.S. locations remain before these latest store closures.

Earlier this month, the Wall Street Journal reported that Forever 21 could face challenges finding another buyer and might have to liquidate in a second bankruptcy.

Hamilton Mall Loses Another Key Store

There have been rumors of the closing of the Forever 21 store in the Hamilton Mall for some time now.

While workers in the Hamilton Mall store hadn't been willing to comment on a possible closure, a liquidation-style sale has been underway for over a month.

Forever 21 is one of the few clothing stores left in the declining Mays Landing mall that has already seen PacSun, Norman's Hallmark, and Level Up Entertainment close since the beginning of the year.