Century 21 department store opened its doors in downtown manhattan in 1961.It is now a NYC retail icon known for designer brand and amazing prices. What started as a 6000 sq ft 3 story store is now 220000 sq ft and 7 floors of fashion and expanding with new locations across the country.Century 21 department store opened its doors in downtown manhattan in 1961.It is now a NYC retail icon known for designer brand and amazing prices. What started as a 6000 sq ft 3 story store is now 220000 sq ft and 7 floors of fashion and expanding with new locations across the country.