Aug. 28, 2024

Almost four months after filing for bankruptcy, apparel retailer rue21 is reopening a handful of stores — including the one inside The Empire Mall.

The store is returning to its first space in the JCPenney wing and will reopen sometime this fall, mall general manager Dan Gies said.

The company was acquired by YM Inc., which is the parent company of other teen and young adult retailers such as Aeropostale and Charlotte Russe.

At one point, rue21 had stores across South Dakota, including in Mitchell, Watertown, Pierre and Aberdeen. At the time of the most recent bankruptcy, the company was down to one store in Sioux Falls and one in Rapid City — two of 540 locations companywide.

About 60 stores already have reopened with more scheduled this fall.

“We’re committed to making rue21 a brand we can all be proud of. Our aim is to enhance your shopping experience with fresh products and superior customer service,” the company wrote in a message on its website.

“To build a stronger rue21, we welcome previous employees to apply and join us in this exciting new chapter.”