My fellow millennials, it’s officially the end of an era.
Forever 21, the fast-fashion juggernaut that defined our teen and early adult years, is closing all of its U.S. locations—including its nine stores in Ohio.
If you’ve been paying attention, this news probably doesn’t come as a huge surprise. The company has been struggling for years, closing its Easton location back in 2019 and its Polaris store earlier this year.
That left just one Forever 21 standing in central Ohio—at The Mall at Tuttle Crossing—but it won’t be around for much longer. The brand cited foreign competition, rising costs, and rapidly shifting fashion trends as reasons for its downfall.
For those of us who grew up in the heyday of Forever 21, this one stings a little. Remember combing through those chaotic racks for the perfect $12 party dress? Or filling your closet with trendy pieces that you knew probably wouldn’t last more than a season—but who cared when they were so cheap?
At its peak in the early 2000s, Forever 21 was a staple, right up there with Abercrombie & Fitch, H&M, and Lacoste. It was the place to go for a last-minute outfit before a night out, an impromptu shopping spree at the mall, or just some good old-fashioned retail therapy.
But times have changed.
Gen Z has largely turned its back on fast fashion, opting instead for thrifting, vintage finds, and sustainable shopping. Meanwhile, even us Millennials have started questioning the appeal of flimsy fabric and fleeting trends. The world moved on, and Forever 21 just couldn’t keep up.
The company will keep its U.S. website up and running for now as it searches for a final buyer. If they find one, there’s a chance some stores might stick around. If not, Forever 21 as we know it will soon be gone for good.
Ohio’s last locations will close in the coming months, so if you feel the need for one last chaotic bargain-hunting spree, now’s your chance. RIP to the store that gave us questionable sequins, piles of neon accessories, and more crop tops than any of us needed. It was a ride.
