Wauwatosa 'Forever 21' Store To Close This Year

WAUWATOSA, WI — The retail chain Forever 21 is expected to close 178 stores across the country as part of its bankruptcy proceedings. The apparel retailer released a list Tuesday of the likely locations and it includes two stores in Wisconsin.

Forever 21 announced it had filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy in a letter to customers Sunday.

The “underperforming” stores are expected to be sold and closed by Dec. 31, though the company may not shutter all of them as it continues negotiations with landlords, the filing says.

Here are the Forever 21 locations expected to close in your area.

• Mayfair Mall; 2500 Mayfair Road, Wauwatosa, WI 53226
• West Towne Mall; 229 West Towne Mall, Madison, WI 53719

Forever 21 saw its revenue decrease to $3.3 billion last year, down from $4.4 billion in 2016, according to the New York Times. The company also has laid off more than 10,000 people since 2016.

The teenage clothing store made it clear, though, it wasn’t going out of business, and instead filed for bankruptcy protection as a “deliberate and decisive step to put us on a successful track for the future,” according to the letter.

“We are confident this is the right path for the long-term health of our business,” Forever 21 said in the letter to customers. “Once we complete a reorganization, Forever 21 will be a stronger, more viable company that is better positioned to prosper for years to come.”