Houston Galleria store back open after being shut down for owing $147K in rent

Monday, September 30, 2019

Galleria shuts down store for $147,000 in past due rent

Mall shoppers were greeted by a note on the door saying that the store was closed and the locks had been changed.

HOUSTON, Texas (KTRK) -- Low-price fashion chain Forever 21 in the Houston Galleria is back open after it was shut down for reportedly owing the mall more than $145,000 worth of rent, according to a notice posted on the store's door.

This comes on the heels of a nationwide sweep of store closures after the privately owned company filed for bankruptcy Monday.

The company sent ABC13 the following statement:

"As the result of our negotiation with Simon Properties, Forever 21's store in the Houston Galleria has reopened. All of Forever 21's Texas stores are open and operating normally, honoring all Company policies, including gift cards, returns, exchanges, reimbursement, and sale purchases."

In a picture taken by an ABC13 viewer on Friday, the notice said the locks to the Galleria store had been changed for "failure to pay delinquent rents" in the amount of $147,890.29.

"If rents and charges are not paid in full within ten (10) days, Tenant relinquishes possession of the premises," read the notice, which was signed by the Galleria mall manager and dated Thursday, Sept. 26.

Forever 21 filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection. The privately held company, based in Los Angeles, says it will close up to 178 stores. The company once had more than 800 stores in 57 countries.

The company posted a letter to customers about the bankruptcy on its website. It says anyone with questions about the warranties, products or rewards can contact the Customer Service Department at 1-888-494-3837.

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