Ohio shoppers are in for another round of retail closures as fashion chain Forever 21 prepares to close all nine of its locations in the state.
The retailer, which has struggled with mounting debt and fierce competition from online and international brands, declared bankruptcy for the second time in six years and will now exit the U.S. market completely.
The Ohio closures will affect stores at Beachwood Place, Dayton Mall, the Mall at Tuttle Crossing in Dublin, and Great Lakes Mall in Mentor, among others.
The company, which once had hundreds of stores across the country, has struggled to adapt to changing consumer habits and rising operational costs.
The company’s CFO, Brad Sell, acknowledged the difficult decision, saying, “We have evaluated all options to best position the company for the future, but we have been unable to find a sustainable path forward.”
These closures occur as Ohio experiences a broader retail downturn. Big Lots, headquartered in Columbus, has closed eight stores across the state due to financial difficulties.
As liquidation sales conclude, Ohio consumers have fewer brick-and-mortar shopping options, signalling the end of an era for two once-popular retailers.
Ohio Stores Closing
- Beachwood Place: 26300 Cedar Road, Beachwood, OH
- The Greene Town Center: 69 Chestnut St., Space #B112 & #B212, Beavercreek, OH
- Belden Village: 4343 Belden Village Mall, #A4, Canton, OH
- Dayton Mall: 2700 Miamisburg-Centerville, Space # 300, Dayton, OH
- Mall at Tuttle Crossing: 5043 Tuttle Crossing Blvd Ste 283, Dublin, OH
- Great Lakes Mall: 7850 Mentor Avenue, Suite #806B Mentor, OH
- Great Northern: 560 Great Northern Mall, North Olmsted, OH
- Southpark Mall: 500 Southpark Center #HL54, Strongsville, OH
- Franklin Park: 5001 Monroe Street Unit 1800, Toledo, OH
