Rue21 plans to close all stores nationwide, including 4 in Hampton Roads

Rue21, the teen apparel retailer with four locations in Hampton Roads, filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection and plans to close its 540 stores nationwide, according to court documents.

The Hampton Roads stores slated to close are in MacArthur Center and Janaf Shopping Yard in Norfolk, Patrick Henry Mall in Newport News and Crossways Shopping Center at 1412 Greenbrier Parkway in Chesapeake.

The retail brand offering fashion-forward clothing and accessories tried to find a buyer for the business, but instead chose to shut down and liquidate its inventory, according to documents filed in U.S. Bankruptcy Court in Delaware. The company filed for bankruptcy for the third time on May 2, previously filing in 2003 and 2017.

Based outside of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, the retailer was founded in 1970 as Pennsylvania Fashions. It was renamed in 2003 in reference to the word for “street” in French and the age, 21.

Rue21’s company website, mostly black, says it is being updated and to check back soon.

An employee at the Greenbrier Parkway location said they learned of the business’s impending closure via an email and didn’t know the closing date. They also expressed frustration over the lack of information shared with employees. With storewide markdowns already at 30%, the employee said merchandise could possibly sell out within the next 15 days.

Phone calls to Rue21’s corporate office could not reach officials for comment as they went unanswered and the voicemail inbox was full.

Sandra J. Pennecke, 757-652-5836, sandra.pennecke@pilotonline.com