Century 21 - Best Bargain Clothing Store in the New York/New Jersey Region

Every time I tell people about the clothing store Century 21, I receive the same response: The real estate agency? To anyone in the New York or New Jersey area who thinks Century 21 is merely a real estate agency, then you have been missing out on some of the best discount designer shopping. The Century 21 Department Store I frequent the most is in Morristown, NJ, but there is a much larger store in Lower Manhattan that I have only been to once. The Manhattan store is directly across from the site of the World Trade Center (it was standing there on September 11 and reopened in 2002) and is nothing short of enormous. There are actually two separate stores for clothing and shoes and the one time I went on a rainy weekend both store were teeming with customers. Since I first started frequenting the Morristown store, they have since built stores in Paramus, NJ in the Bergen Mall and in Westbury, Long Island. There is also a store in Brooklyn and a soon to be built department store in Rego Park, Queens. Clearly the popularity of the store has spread quickly.

The store sells designer names both domestic and foreign. You are able to purchase everything from Juicy Couture and Ralph Lauren to Dolce and Gabbana and Versace. Some of the best discounts on items are only found after browsing the store for a good hour. For instance, one time I spent close to an hour in the shoe department trying on boots in the winter and stumbled upon one pair of cranberry Chanel velvet shoes shoved in the corner of a display case for $50!! This store is not for anyone that does not like "sifting through racks" as it is all about the hunt. The store in Morristown is three levels and includes Women's, juniors, Men's, Handbags and Accessories (jewelry, designer sunglasses etc.), Beauty, Home Goods, Shoes, Intimates, Luggage, and even an entire children's section! The Manhattan store has four floors and sells similar items.

According to the website of Century 21 the store has been in existence for over 40 years and the average discount on designer good is between 40% and 70%. Pepperidge Farms purchased the company in 1992. The company logo is "fashion worth fighting for." Clearly this has to have some semblance of truth after being named New York's Number One discount store by Zagat.