Century 21 To Close The Mills At Jersey Gardens Location

ELIZABETH, NJ — Century 21 is the latest major retailer to go under due to the coronavirus pandemic. The retailer filed for bankruptcy on Thursday and will close all of its stores including its location at the Mills at Jersey Gardens.

The company blamed its demise on its inability to make payments to its insurance company. Century 21 opened its first location in New York City in 1961 and had previously suffered a loss after Sept. 11.

"While insurance money helped us to rebuild after suffering the devastating impact of 9/11, we now have no viable alternative but to begin the closure of our beloved family business because our insurers, to whom we have paid significant premiums every year for protection against unforeseen circumstances like we are experiencing today, have turned their backs on us at this most critical time," said Century 21 co-CEO Raymond Gindi.

The company also blamed the coronavirus on its decision to close.

"While retailers across the board have suffered greatly due to COVID-19, and Century 21 is no exception, we are confident that had we received any meaningful portion of the insurance proceeds, we would have been able to save thousands of jobs and weather the storm, in hopes of another incredible recovery," said Gindi.

Century 21 stores are currently open to serve customers and are holding going-out-of-business sales at all of its locations and at c21stores.com. The Mills at Jersey Gardens is located at 651 Kapkowski Rd. in Elizabeth.

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