Forever 21 in Annapolis Mall to close, location in Arundel Mills liquidating

The Annapolis Mall Forever 21 is closing, part of a reported 200 closures nationwide. Benjamin Rothstein/Staff

Shoppers at the Annapolis Mall may have noticed that Forever 21 has put up going out of business signs, although a specific date has yet to be announced.

The other Forever 21 store in the county, in Arundel Mills, is liquidating, and it is unclear if it will exist afterward, according to an employee.

According to Bloomberg, the chain is planning to close 200 of its locations in preparation to file for bankruptcy.

Forever 21, which features men’s women’s and girl’s clothing, is owned by Authentic Brands, which licenses it to Catalyst Brands for operation. Catalyst Brands was formed earlier this year through a merger of SPARC Group and JCPenney, another store in the Annapolis Mall set to close.

“The decision to close a store is never an easy one, but isolated closures do happen from time to time due to expiring lease agreements, market changes or other factors,” Catalyst Brands said in a statement about the Annapolis JCPenney’s earlier this month.

Previously, Annapolis Mall executives have pointed to industry-wide shifts away from traditional retail to more experience-based tenants, resulting in turnover. Dick’s House of Sport, a Dick’s Sporting Goods with more indoor activities, including a rock wall, is set to open in the Annapolis Mall later this year.

Previous major closures in the Annapolis Mall include Nordstrom and Lord & Taylor.

Authentic Brands and Catalyst Brands did not respond to requests for comment.

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