About two hours after Century 21 reopened as Century 21 NYC in Lower Manhattan on Tuesday, the shop’s point-of-sale system crashed.
“This goes to show you that they should have never went out of business,” stated Denise Danny, 58, from Staten Island. Ms. Danny, who had a buying cart full of garments, was standing in a line that had shaped at a register on the division retailer’s second ground. “If it’s this crowded on the first day of the grand opening, you know the people missed Century 21.”
It was lower than three years in the past when the retailer, which was beloved for providing designer labels at a reduction, declared chapter and closed all of its shops, disappearing from the town’s buying map like different fabled shops together with Abraham & Straus and Barneys.
At the time, Century 21 had 13 areas in 4 states. But arguably, none was as fashionable as its flagship location on Cortlandt Street within the Financial District, which was opened in 1961 by two cousins, Al Gindi and Samuel Gindi, who was often called Sonny.
After closing in September 2020, the flagship retailer sat empty as a result of the corporate, which was then run by the second-generation house owners Raymond, IG, Isaac and Eddie Gindi, nonetheless had a long-term lease on the area. Later in 2020, the Gindis purchased Century 21’s mental property in a chapter sale with hopes of ultimately reviving the business, stated Teresa Rodriguez, the vp of selling at Century 21 NYC.
Longtime clients could discover the brand new Cortlandt Street retailer, which occupies 4 flooring, extra intimate than its predecessor, which took up seven. They can even discover that with the brand new identify has come a brand new brand. The retailer’s stock has modified barely, too: It now contains classic baggage sourced by Two Authenticators, an organization that finds and authenticates beforehand owned luxurious items which are bought by means of retailers like Century 21 NYC.
Before the shop opened to the general public on Tuesday morning, Mayor Eric Adams gave a speech and made the primary buy of the day: a blue Eton costume shirt for $129.99, greater than half off its listing worth of $275.
By the time the primary clients entered at about 11:30, a line had shaped across the whole constructing. “I’ve been waiting for this day to come, because I’m a Century shopper, and I’ve been a Century shopper for many years,” stated Gina Strachan, 83, from Brooklyn. (Ms. Strachan, like different longtime clients, referred to the shop utilizing a shortened model of its identify.)
The first ground, which gives fragrances, sun shades, baggage and different equipment, crammed up shortly. Many buyers gravitated towards the middle of the ground, the place gross sales associates armed with keys stood by locked show instances stuffed with Louis Vuitton, Saint Laurent and Gucci purses.
By 12:30, traces on the registers had grown longer, and the escalators had been crowded. Early arrivals had been already on their approach out, and a few, together with Jamz Putra, had been empty-handed. Mr. Putra, 27, from Manhattan, had come searching for Balenciaga and Vetements objects, with hopes of reselling them for a revenue. “I missed this place,” Mr. Putra stated, including that regardless that he hadn’t discovered something that he may resell, he deliberate to return.
When the point-of-sale system went down that afternoon round 1:30, confusion erupted as traces acquired even longer and staff requested folks to attend patiently. Security guards closed the shop to new clients, and features began to kind exterior once more. Employees took benefit of the lull, restocking empty racks and rearranging shows that had been knocked over.
By 2:30, the money registers had been absolutely operational, and buyers had been shuffling in once more. On the basement ground, which gives footwear, kids’s garments and baggage, a person and a lady piled their purchases right into a suitcase earlier than pushing towards the crowded escalators, explaining that that they had a aircraft to catch.
On the primary ground, Vladimir Dzuro, 61, from Manhattan, stopped to pose on a small crimson carpet that had been arrange as a spot for folks to take pictures. As one other buyer snapped his image, the 2 had a quick chat about how excited they had been that the shop had reopened earlier than they headed their separate methods to buy.
Mr. Dzuro stated that he and his spouse, who’re planning to maneuver to the Czech Republic in October after 15 years of dwelling in New York, had been completely happy to have the ability to store at Century 21 once more earlier than they left the town. He added that that they had relations visiting in June and supposed to carry them to the shop.
While perusing the fragrance choice, Anna Evans stated her fondness for Century 21 was not solely due to its offers. Ms. Evans, 37, from Manhattan, stated the shop had been a big a part of her childhood.
“It’s so nostalgic to me,” she stated. “I’ve been waiting for years for the reopening.”
After a little bit of looking, Ms. Evans stated that her impression was that the brand new retailer was “not as good” because it had been prior to now. But, she added, “I just walked in, so I need some more time.”
Source: www.nytimes.com