About two hours after Century 21 reopened as Century 21 NYC in Decrease Manhattan on Tuesday, the shop’s point-of-sale system crashed.

“This goes to point out you that they need to have by no means went out of enterprise,” mentioned Denise Danny, 58, from Staten Island. Ms. Danny, who had a buying cart full of garments, was standing in a line that had shaped at a register on the division retailer’s second ground. “If it’s this crowded on the primary day of the grand opening, the folks missed Century 21.”

It was lower than three years in the past when the retailer, which was beloved for providing designer labels at a reduction, declared chapter and closed all of its shops, disappearing from the town’s buying map like different fabled shops together with Abraham & Straus and Barneys.

On the time, Century 21 had 13 areas in 4 states. However arguably, none was as fashionable as its flagship location on Cortlandt Avenue within the Monetary District, which was opened in 1961 by two cousins, Al Gindi and Samuel Gindi, who was often known as Sonny.

After closing in September 2020, the flagship retailer sat empty as a result of the corporate, which was then run by the second-generation house owners Raymond, IG, Isaac and Eddie Gindi, nonetheless had a long-term lease on the house. Later in 2020, the Gindis purchased Century 21’s mental property in a chapter sale with hopes of ultimately reviving the enterprise, mentioned Teresa Rodriguez, the vice chairman of promoting at Century 21 NYC.

Longtime clients could discover the brand new Cortlandt Avenue retailer, which occupies 4 flooring, extra intimate than its predecessor, which took up seven. They will even discover that with the brand new identify has come a brand new brand. The shop’s stock has modified barely, too: It now consists of classic baggage sourced by Two Authenticators, a brand new provider, which finds and authenticates beforehand owned luxurious items which are bought by way of retailers like Century 21 NYC.

Earlier than the shop opened to the general public on Tuesday morning, Mayor Eric Adams gave a speech and made the primary buy of the day: a blue Eton gown shirt for $129.99, greater than half off its checklist worth of $275.

By the point the primary clients entered at about 11:30, a line had shaped across the whole constructing. “I’ve been ready for at the present time to come back, as a result of I’m a Century shopper, and I’ve been a Century shopper for a few years,” mentioned Gina Strachan, 83, from Brooklyn. (Ms. Strachan, like different longtime clients, referred to the shop utilizing a shortened model of its identify.)

The primary ground, which presents fragrances, sun shades, baggage and different equipment, crammed up rapidly. Many patrons gravitated towards the middle of the ground, the place gross sales associates armed with keys stood by locked show circumstances filled with Louis Vuitton, Saint Laurent and Gucci purses.

By 12:30, strains on the registers had grown longer, and the escalators have been crowded. Early arrivals have been already on their manner out, and a few, together with Jamz Putra, have been empty-handed. Mr. Putra, 27, from Manhattan, had come in quest of Balenciaga and Vetements gadgets, with hopes of reselling them for a revenue. “I missed this place,” Mr. Putra mentioned, including that though he hadn’t discovered something that he may resell, he deliberate to return.

When the point-of-sale system went down that afternoon round 1:30, confusion erupted as strains received even longer and workers requested folks to attend patiently. Safety guards closed the shop to new clients, and contours began to type outdoors once more. Staff took benefit of the lull, restocking empty racks and rearranging shows that had been knocked over.

By 2:30, the money registers have been absolutely operational, and consumers have been shuffling in once more. On the basement ground, which presents footwear, kids’s garments and baggage, a person and a lady piled their purchases right into a suitcase earlier than pushing towards the crowded escalators, explaining that they’d a aircraft to catch.

On the primary ground, Vladimir Dzuro, 61, from Manhattan, stopped to pose on a small purple carpet that had been arrange as a spot for folks to take pictures. As one other buyer snapped his image, the 2 had a quick chat about how excited they have been that the shop had reopened earlier than they headed their separate methods to buy.

Mr. Dzuro mentioned that he and his spouse, who’re planning to maneuver to the Czech Republic in October after 15 years of residing in New York, have been joyful to have the ability to store at Century 21 once more earlier than they left the town. He added that they’d members of the family visiting in June and meant to deliver them to the shop.

Whereas perusing the fragrance choice, Anna Evans mentioned her fondness for Century 21 was not solely due to its offers. Ms. Evans, 37, from Manhattan, mentioned the shop had been a big a part of her childhood.

“It’s so nostalgic to me,” she mentioned. “I’ve been ready for years for the reopening.”

After a little bit of looking, Ms. Evans mentioned that her impression was that the brand new retailer was “not pretty much as good” because it had been previously. However, she added, “I simply walked in, so I would like some extra time.”