Rue21 set to close all stores (Cheyenne included)

rue21 sign above entry to Cheyenne store - Optopolis

Apparel store rue21 has filed for bankruptcy for the third time, and with the filing, they announced that they'd be closing all their stores. This means Cheyenne's rue21 at Frontier Mall is about to shutter.

A look at the history

Rue21 first appeared in the Frontier Mall directory around early 2007, opening in the space across the hall from the pizza joint called Sbarro (now occupied by Camp Kitchen). Various archives of the Frontier Mall directory indicate that rue21 replaced a space once occupied by an apparel store called Vanity. By the time Cheyenne's rue21 opened, rue21's first bankruptcy filing in 2003 had already long ago taken place.

FYE at the previous and former rue21 space - Optopolis

In 2015, the Frontier Mall's rue21 relocated to a different space near JCPenney, taking over the former Famous Footwear and more than half of the former Boot Barn. The new rue21 held a grand opening event for the store on Thursday, November 12th, 2015. Since the time that the new store opened, FYE relocated from the former Disc Jockey space and into the old rue21 location.

Two years following the 2015 opening, rue21 filed for bankruptcy for the second time. This bankruptcy involved 400 store closures, but the closures only included one Wyoming store--in Sheridan.

"Do you rue? I do!" door mat inside the door of the Cheyenne rue21 - Optopolis

rue21 announces third bankruptcy, closure of all stores

Around noon yesterday, many articles began to come out, reporting that Rue21 had just filed for bankruptcy for the third time. Not long after, more word began coming out that the bankruptcy included plans to close all stores. According to Sourcing Journal, 540 stores will be shuttered; Rue21 is now "in the rarified Chapter 33 club" since it has filed for Chapter 11 three times.

This isn't the first retailer that recently filed for bankruptcy. Express, a store which used to have a Frontier Mall location (pictured here), just filed for Chapter 11 in April, and Jo-Ann also previously filed for bankruptcy in March.

A view inside of the Cheyenne rue21, day of filing for bankruptcy - Optopolis

The Rue21 locator and Frontier Mall website still display the Cheyenne store as open. As of April 2nd, store closing banners have not been placed in plain sight throughout the Cheyenne store. 

Update 05/03 Closing signs go up

Today on April 3rd, closing signs could be seen at the front of the Cheyenne rue21 store. They clarify that the the entire store's products are 30 to 40 percent off, "limited exceptions apply."

Entire store 30-40% off sign displayed in the front of the store on Apr 3rd - Optopolis

Since April 2nd, most the rue21 website has been taken down, displaying the message, "Our site is being updated[;] check back soon." As of April 3rd, you can still use the locator page of the website as well as the locations portion of the site map.

Update 05/04 Now 30% - 50% off

If you were worried about the signs from yesterday being too small, well no need to fear. They now have more and bigger signs posted, and the percent off of products (limited exceptions apply) is 30% to 50%.

Update 05/10 Now 40% to 60% off

The store now has new signage indicating everything is 40 to 60 percent off with limited exceptions.

40-60% off signage seen in the window of the store - Optopolis

Just so you know, the store has typically been closing at 6 PM each night due to short staff.

Update 05/17 Last 13 Days

Sometime over the last 24 hours, a new banner was placed in the window of the store indicating that the store only has 13 days left, including the day this photo was taken

Last 13 days sign seen in the store front - Optopolis

This comes within days after sales were raised to 50% to 70% off all products with exceptions.

Update 05/27

Tomorrow May 28th is the last day. Not much is left, but mannequins and fixtures could be found on the west side of the store. In the middle near the checkout, a few racks of clothes and other items still remain as of the 27th.

What are your thoughts of this brand going away? Do you think there is any chance it could have a comeback in the likes of Bed Bath and Beyond and Overstock, or do you think the name will pass away forever? Let us know your thoughts in the comments.

Originally published: 05/03/2024 at 10:44 AM MT

Updated: 05/03/2024 at 10:20 PM MT to add new info about the Cheyenne store and also affirm that the store is closing.

Updated: 05/04/2024 at 7:09 PM MT to add new information about the Cheyenne store.

Updated: 05/10/2024 at 11:58 PM MT to add new information about the Cheyenne store.

Updated: 05/17/2024 at 4:36 PM MT to add new information about the Cheyenne store.

Updated: 05/27/2024 at 5:09 PM MT to add new information and correct a typo/add clarification to the last update on 05/17.