#ThrowbackThursday Goodbye Lord & Taylor

Since 1914, Lord & Taylor has had its flagship store on New York City’s Fifth Avenue. Sadly it was announced earlier this year that the current owner, Canadian company Hudson’s Bay Co., has sold the lovely landmark building to WeWork (other locations will remain open). For years the Lord & Taylor Christmas windows were the highlight of my family’s holiday outing to New York City. The demise of this location hits hard because of that and because it reminds me of another venerable retail institution which was shuttered and which was like part of my family – B. Altman’s. My dad worked at Altman’s for over twenty years and I worked there as well to pay for high school and college expenses. I actually based the store in ONE SUMMER NIGHT on Altman’s which is still so dear to my heart.

So today’s Throwback Thursday is an homage to the Lord & Taylor Christmas windows. Thank you for so many wonderful years and memories. You will be missed.

FYI – Hudson’s Bay also owns Saks Fifth Avenue. Wonder if that location will be the next with a “For Sale” sign?

Thoughtful Thursday – Parking and the Economy

parkI’m usually at the train station between 5:40 and 5:50 so I can catch a train to work. Ungodly hours, I know, but even at that hour, there would only be a few spots left to park.

Not so anymore. In the past few months, I and the rest of my fellow train pals have noticed an ever-increasing number of empty spots. In addition, the one train which was always packed now regularly has empty seats.

What should I think about that? There’s always a drop-off in early June as schools have let out and students and teachers take the summer off. But it’s not early June and this trend has been growing for some time.

My train pals are saying that it’s on account of layoffs and sadly I don’t think that they are mistaken. With many New York businesses feeling the impact of the financial sector meltdown, retail store closings and the economy lagging, I suspect that there are people who are either being furloughed or laid off.

Have you noticed any such signs in your neighborhood?