If you’ve ever strolled through a mall here in California—maybe with a coffee in one hand and your weekend errands on your mind—chances are, you’ve stepped into Forever 21 at least once. Maybe more than once. Maybe it was your go-to spot for a last-minute party outfit or a place you wandered into “just to look,” only to walk out with three bags and a smile. That bright yellow bag, the rows of racks filled with on-trend pieces, the pop music echoing from the speakers—it all felt like a little fashion playground, didn’t it?
That’s why this news might feel a little personal: Forever 21 is closing all its U.S. stores as of May 2025. Every single one. And here in California, where the brand was born and built its legacy, 58 locations—including stores in Santa Monica, Long Beach, Pasadena, and multiple Los Angeles neighborhoods—are shutting their doors. This marks the brand’s second Chapter 11 bankruptcy filing in just six years.
This is not just a business headline; it’s the end of an era for many of us who grew up with—or grew into—Forever 21.
Let’s take a walk down memory lane — Forever 21’s rise and fall
How we got here—because Forever 21’s story isn’t just about store closures and bankruptcy filings. It’s about a brand that once defined what it meant to be young, stylish, and on a budget. And if you’re someone who grew up shopping there, you know exactly what I mean.
Evolution
Back in 1984, right in the heart of Los Angeles, Forever 21 began as a small clothing store called Fashion 21. It was started by a determined immigrant couple, Do Won and Jin Sook Chang, who came to the U.S. from South Korea with big dreams and very little money. What they created would go on to redefine the fast-fashion industry.
From the beginning, Forever 21 was different. It wasn’t about luxury or high-end fashion; it was about affordability and accessibility, giving everyday people the chance to feel fashionable without the designer price tags.
But retail, as you know, is a game that changes fast. And by the mid-2010s, Forever 21 was starting to lose ground.
Their first major setback came in 2019, when the company filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy. That led to the closure of more than 200 stores across the U.S. and internationally. At the time, it felt like a wake-up call—but also a second chance.
The brand was bought out by a group of investors that included Simon Property Group, Brookfield Properties, and Authentic Brands Group. The hope was to streamline the business, modernize operations, and revive Forever 21’s cultural relevance. But despite those efforts, the brand never quite recovered its footing.
Consumers had shifted, both in how they shop and what they care about. The rise of online shopping made it easier for people to buy clothes without setting foot in a mall. Fast-fashion competitors like Shein began offering even cheaper clothes with even faster delivery. And younger shoppers—especially Gen Z—started prioritizing sustainability, transparency, and individuality over cheap, mass-produced trends.
The Impact in California
California, Forever 21’s birthplace, is experiencing a significant number of store closures. Notable locations shutting their doors include
- Santa Anita, 400 South Baldwin Ave., Arcadia
- Outlets at Tejon, 5701 Outlets at Tejon Ranch Parkway, Arvin
- Valley Plaza, 2801 Ming Ave., Bakersfield
- Media City Center, 201 E. Magnolia Blvd., Burbank
- Desert Hills Premium Outlets, 48650 Seminole Drive, Suite 900, Cabazon
- Gran Plaza Outlets, 888 West Second St., Calexico
- Camarillo Premium Outlets, 630 Ventura Blvd. #1203, Camarillo
- Shops at Carlsbad, 2525 El Camino Real, space #102, Carlsbad
- Cerritos, 200 Los Cerritos Center, Cerritos
- The Shoppes @ Chino Hills, 13860 City Center Drive, space #5085, Chino Hills
- Sun Valley, 329 Sun Valley Mall, Suite #121, Concord
- South Coast Plaza, 3333 Bristol Ave., Costa Mesa
- Culver City (Fox Hills), 6000 Sepulveda Blvd., space #1331, Culver City
- Stonewood Center, 223 Stonewood St., Downey
- Parkway Plaza, 415 Parkway Plaza #357, El Cajon
- Imperial Valley Mall, 3451 Dogwood Ave., #1117, El Centro
- Folsom Premium Outlets, 13000 Folsom Blvd., Suite #607, Folsom
- Fresno Fashion Fair, 755 East Shaw Ave., Fresno
- Gilroy, 8155 Arroyo Circle #1, Gilroy
- Southland, 343 Southland Mall Drive, space #76, Hayward
- Lakewood Center Mall, 326 Lakewood Center Mall, Lakewood
- San Francisco Premium Outlet, 3620 Livermore Outlets Drive, Livermore
- The Pike Outlets, 80 Bay St., Long Beach
- Beverly Center, 8500 Beverly Blvd., Suite 835, Los Angeles
- Hollywood & Highland, 6801 Hollywood Blvd. #2C-271, Los Angeles
- Great Mall, 450A Great Mall Drive, Milpitas
- The Shops at Mission Viejo, 555 The Shops at Mission Viejo, Mission Viejo
- Montclair Plaza, 5060 Montclair Plaza Lane #2121, Montclair
- Montebello Town Center, 1800 Montebello Town Center, Montebello
- Moreno Valley Mall, 22500 Town Circle, Suite 1050, Moreno Valley
- Plaza Bonita, 3030 Plaza Bonita Road, #2100, National City
- Northridge Fashion Center, 9301 Tampa Ave., #4, Northridge
- Ontario Mills, 4701 Mills Circle, Ontario
Why Is Forever 21 Closing?
Several factors have contributed to Forever 21’s decision to close its U.S. stores:
1. Intense Competition: Online retailers like Shein and Temu have disrupted the fast-fashion market with their ability to quickly deliver trendy items at low prices.
2. Changing Consumer Behavior: Shoppers are increasingly favoring online shopping and seeking sustainable fashion options.
3. Economic Challenges: Rising operational costs and economic pressures have made it difficult for the brand to maintain profitability.
Despite efforts to find a buyer or restructure, the company concluded that an “orderly wind-down” was the most viable path forward.
What does this mean for you?
If you’re a Forever 21 shopper, here are some key points to consider:
- Liquidation sales: Deep discounts are available as stores clear out inventory.
- Gift cards and returns: The company stopped accepting gift cards and returns as of April 15, 2025.
- Online shopping: While U.S. stores are closing, Forever 21’s international operations and online presence remain active, though the future of the U.S. website is uncertain.
