Forever 21 has joined the growing list of retailers that are closing their doors.
The fast fashion retailer filed for bankruptcy on Sunday, for the second time in six years, and announced it would be closing its 350 American stores in the coming weeks. Locally, the chain operates stores at Chicago Ridge Mall, Orland Square Mall and Southlake Mall in northwest Indiana.
The company cited competition from foreign brands as a big reason for its collapse.
“While we have evaluated all options to best position the company for the future, we have been unable to find a sustainable path forward, given competition from foreign fast-fashion companies,” Chief Financial Officer Brad Sell in a statement.
Forever 21 was founded in 1984. It joins Big Lots and Party City among retailers that have announced liquidation sales after declaring bankruptcy since the beginning of the year.
Ollie’s has arrived
All is not doom and gloom on the retail front.
Pennsylvania-based Ollie’s Bargain Outlets has opened two south suburban stores and more are expected to open.
Ollie’s specializes in closeout merchandise, excess inventory, overstocks and irregulars.
It recently opened in former Big Lots locations in Homewood and Lockport and has purchased the leases of closed or closing locations of other Big Lots, Party City and Joann Fabrics stores.
The company lists 574 stores on its websites with more on the way.
For information, visit ollies.com
Southland Visitors Guide released
The 2025 Chicago Southland Visitors Guide and the 2025 Chicago Southland Coupon Book have been released.
“Our marketing team and community partners have done another fantastic job in publishing our Visitors Guide and Coupon Book. Everything that visitors and residents alike are looking for can be found in the guide, including the finest attractions and restaurants in all of Illinois,” said Mary Patchin, President/CEO of Visit Chicago Southland. “Our coupon book includes 47 offerings covering restaurants, performing arts, breweries, amusement parks, sports events, museums, and more.”
The 2025 Visitors Guide is the bureau’s 37th edition. The 84 colorful and glossy pages include sections of Things to See and Do, Arts & Culture, Accommodations, Dining, Shopping, Transportation and Golf in Chicago’s south and southwest suburbs.
Special Visitors Guide sections highlight the Southland Heritage Trail, The Triangle Tour and the new Wind Creek Chicago Southland casino.
The Triangle Tour enables visitors traveling to Chicago or the Chicago Southland the unique ability to access any one or all of three historic highways—Lincoln Highway, Dixie Highway, and Route 66—as Route 66 prepares for its 100th anniversary in 2026.
The Southland Heritage Trail is a brand-new route exploring the area’s historical societies, museums, and landmarks.
The Wind Creek Chicago Southland opened officially in 2025 in East Hazel Crest as Illinois’s first-ever AAA Diamond-rated casino and provides visitors with luxury hotel accommodations, 1,400 cutting-edge slot machines, 56 gaming tables, a state-of-the-art sportsbook, poker room, spa, and 12,000-square-foot conference/banquet facility.
To order a hard copy of the Visitors Guide, call Visit Chicago Southland at 888-895-8233.
For more information, go to VisitChicagoSouthland.com.
If you see a new business in town or wonder what happened to an old favorite, drop me a line at bobbong@hotmail.com.
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