These 5 Forever 21 Stores In MD Are Closing, Retailer Confirms

TOWSON, MD — The retail chain Forever 21 is closing 178 stores across the country as part of its bankruptcy proceedings. The apparel retailer released a list Tuesday of the locations and it includes five stores in Maryland; the company has at least nine stores in the state.

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

Here are the five Forever 21 locations expected to close in Maryland:

• Towson Town Center: 825 Dulaney Valley Road, Towson
• Ellsworth Place: 8661 Colesville Road, Silver Spring
• Tanger Ocean City: 12741 Ocean Gateway, Ocean City
• Montgomery Mall: 7101 Democracy Blvd., Bethesda
• Wheaton Mall: 11160 Veirs Mills Road, Silver Spring

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 workers since 2016.

The clothing store geared toward teens and shoppers in their early 20s says it isn'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.”

SEE ALSO: Forever 21, Pier 1: Can Maryland's 28 Stores Survive Shake-Ups?

Also this week, the home decor store Pier 1 said it could close up to 145 of its locations. The retailer announced possible store closings after reporting low financial results on Sept. 25. Representatives for Pier 1 have not yet specified the locations that will be closed.

The two companies join a growing list of brick-and-mortar establishment that have seen revenue drop as the popularity of e-commerce companies such as Amazon and Walmart soars. In early September, Bed Bath & Beyond said it would close some stores and overhaul others ahead of the 2019 holiday shopping season.