Wednesday, July 31, 2013

DSW Shoe of the Week: Elizabeth and James

From the first level of DSW 34th Street: this simple and perfect Elizabeth and James shoe.


Every girls needs one shoe like this in her repertoire. I used to have a neutral Donna Karan shoe like this and to this day I mourn its demise. 

Here's a charming, easier-on-the-wallet runner-up:


Completely different feel, but with cuffed jeans? Oui, Seychelles.


DSW
213 West 34th Street just west of Seventh Avenue

Tuesday, July 30, 2013

Favorite Impulse Dresses at Macy's Herald Square

July is sluggish, July is slow, and who's buying anything in July?

BCBG, left, bar III, right

Me, because it's sluggish and slow. And I love that Macy's Herald Square has a great selection of dresses in Impulse on 3. That BCBG dress? Not the best cut for me, but I adore the style. How pretty is the midi length, the mix of patterns, and the perfectly placed sheer panel? So pretty.

MADE, left, bar III right
While cutouts usually scare me, I am totally on board with this MADE maxi (now on sale online).


Macy's Herald Square
151 West 34th Street between Broadway & Seventh Avenue


Monday, July 29, 2013

Forever 21's Romper, Fringe, Etc.

Spotted at Forever 21 on 34th Street last week (in order of like):

Leather look romper and perfect white kicks. I equally adore these and want to wear them together.

Eagles, zippers, and sweatshirts: a lot of my favorite things in one top.

I think I can handle the tan one better than the black.




Forever 21
50 West 34th Street between Fifth and Sixth Avenues

Friday, July 26, 2013

34th Street Weekend Picks: Denim Sale at Forever 21

Forever 21
I've been shopping Forever 21 on 34th Street a lot more lately, as the renovations and revamped merchandising have made the entire shopping experience much more pleasant. Another good reason to go this weekend? Select denim is on sale for $7.80. #bargain  50 West 34th Street just east of Broadway




Unique Eyewear
When you need new glasses, don't forget to stop by this small, family-owned eyeglass shop and get $20 off any purchase of $100 or more (excluding sale frames or lenses). Just ask for Terry or Khaliha, mention the 34th Street Partnership, and take advantage of this exclusive 34th Street deal! Don't forget, this isn't a street-level shop, so get on that elevator and save! 19 West 34th Street, Suite 1218 between 5th and 6th Avenues




Macy's Herald Square
Extra discounts have been taken on merchandise throughout the store. If you want to know what that vest is "Born To Be..." you'll have to visit the Rachel Roy boutique in Impluse on 3. 151 West 34th Street between Broadway and 7th Avenue


Gap
The Summer Sale is on and shoppers can save up to 60% off. There's a large selection of denim on sale, and an impressive variety of GapBody on sale in the lower level.  60 West 34th Street at Broadway




Thursday, July 25, 2013

Moving In: Kids Foot Locker

That was fast: Kids Foot Locker is taking over the recently closed Brookstone space at 142 West 34th.


An article in Real Estate Weekly yesterday, titled "Foot Locker loves 34th Street," states "The retailer was so eager to secure the space, it will leave three of the buildings' five floors empty, selling from built out space on the first and second floors when it takes occupancy in August." 

This new Kids Foot Locker joins the company's other brick and mortar stores on 34th Street including House of Hoops at 11 West 34th, Foot Locker, currently including Kids and Lady, at 120 West 34th, and Footaction at 225 West 34th. Clearly, 34th Street loves you back, Foot Locker.

Kids Foot Locker 
Coming soon to 142 West 34th Street

Wednesday, July 24, 2013

DSW Shoe of the Week: The L.A.M.B.s

From DSW on 34th Street. Today I'll let the shoes do most of the talking.

#LOVE

These will match all your Spring 2013 L.A.M.B. pieces. Find them on the first floor, first row on your right off the escalator.


DSW
213 West 34th Street between 7th and 8th Avenues

Tuesday, July 23, 2013

Breaking News: Brookstone Out, ? In

Wasn't I just saying that the retail landscape changes surprisingly often on 34th Street? Although it was there last Thursday, today Brookstone is gone from 34th Street. Over the weekend, the retailer closed its doors. We should be announcing soon who is moving in. The rumors are already flying, so stay tuned here for more info on this space and another further down 34th Street between 7th and 8th Avenues.

Closed doors as of Saturday, July 20th.



Brookstone
Now closed at 142 West 34th Street


Monday, July 22, 2013

WOW: Vince Camuto Sale

Vince Camuto has upped the ante on their summer sale, which is worth noting thanks to items like these:
WOW tote, was $198, now $129.99
Ernest flat, was $89, now $29.99


New styles have been added to the sale, so get the above and more for up to 60% off. And if you haven't visited the 34th Street boutique yet, you're missing out. Vince Camuto 34th Street has not just shoes but also bags, accessories, select items of clothing, and the VC Signature collection. It's one of my favorite shoe boutiques on the block.


Vince Camuto
30 West 34th Street between Fifth and Sixth Avenues

Friday, July 19, 2013

34th Street Weekend Picks: Swim, Workout Gear. and Kicks on Sale!

Lady Foot Locker
Socks, Actra separates, and select Nike shorts are B1G1 50% off. Also, select athletic shoes on sale from $29.99 and up! Lady Foot Locker is full of so many fun and brightly colored kicks that I'm at a loss to choose the cutest.


Under Armour Micro G Toxic from LFL

Old Navy
A big selection of swim separates are on sale for $10 in-store on 34th Street. I love a mix-and-match suit, and Old Navy delivers, as usual, your pretty, basic styles.


Macy's Herald Square
I shopped the third floor Impulse department, and there are racks of clothes up to 60% off, including Sanctuary, bar III, and MADE Fashion Week for Impulse. Also, there's a big rack of Fashion Star on sale. 

Top two, MADE, bottom two, bar III, all spotted on sale at Herald Square



Thursday, July 18, 2013

34th Street Retail History: 1992 - 2013

The retail landscape on 34th Street changes at a rate that often surprises me, even with years of documenting 34th Street retail under my belt. Just when I think nothing new could possibly join our district, someone moves out, or revamps their building, or goes bankrupt

Our archivist gathered photos to represent this constantly changing landscape via a video history of buildings and retailers on 34th Street. Below is our newest version, featuring H&M Penn Station, Victoria's Secret Herald Square, the Macy's corner at 34th and Broadway, and 213-215 West 34th, now home to DSW, Joe Fresh, and Payless.

 

New retailers are coming to 34th Street as we speak: a Swatch boutique is opening in the old Billabong space, Crocs is taking over the old Tad's Steaks, Urban Outfitters is going into 1333 Broadway, Esprit remains closed (although as-yet-to-be-unnamed retailers are looking), and Journey's has left Herald Center, which is slated for a big overhaul and possibly an exciting new store.

Also, early next week we should be able to announce a new brand joining Footaction, Lane Bryant, Cohen's Fashion Optical, Payless, Joe Fresh, and DSW on the West End of 34th Street between Seventh and Eighth Avenues, a block that's had huge turnover in the past year. Go West, young and old shoppers, because retail on the street is expanding towards the Hudson.




Wednesday, July 17, 2013

Uniqlo: The Finds on 34th Street

I recommend stopping by Uniqlo 34th Street often to pick up great summer items on sale now, because they go fast, and Uniqlo rotates that merchandise like NO ONE's business. Seriously, I come back the next day and my precious Laduree tank dresses have been moved to a new locale. Or worse, they're gone! So I can't guarantee that any of the below that I tried on last week is still in store on 34th Street, but I can guarantee you'll find something just as adorable in its place.


I kind of went nuts for this cropped jumpsuit. I might have bought two. leur logette on sale for $19.90.
leur logette top, on sale for $9.90. 

These are called tunics (celia birtwell, now $9.90 on sale) but let's face it: these are the best summer weekend dresses/pjs ever. Totally soft, totally cool, totally easy. 

Laduree for kids! 

Lulu Guiness cats. 

There is so much cuteness to choose from. The Uniqlo DIPs (Designer Invitation Projects) and collections have been on awesome overload this summer.



Uniqlo
31 West 34th Street between Fifth and Sixth Avenues

Monday, July 15, 2013

Perfect Combos: H&M Tops & Jeans

I know, it's a bazillion degrees outside and I'm posting long-sleeved shirts. I can't help it, H&M has so many perfect tops in store at Herald Square right now.

Also, their jeans? I love H&M's jeans. I have a pair I've been wearing regularly for over three years now, and they remain my go-to favorite black jeans. The jeans in the photos below are a perfect skinny cut, and are soft as heck. I adore.

Left: jeans, $29.95, grey top $39.95; middle: $34.95, same jeans; right: sleeveless black blouse, $29.95.



H&M Herald Square
47 West 34th Street just east of Sixth Avenue

Friday, July 12, 2013

34th Street Weekend Picks: H&M's B2G1 Free Sale

H&M
All summer sale items are buy two and get one free! I spotted adorable pants, lots of summer tops and dresses, and even some Conscious Collection. 47 West 34th Street at Broadway, and 435 Seventh Avenue at 34th Street



Aldo
Up to 70% off select shoes, including summer sandals!  27 West 34th Street east of Sixth Avenue


Banana Republic
Buy more and save more at Banana Republic! Sale lasts in-stores through Sunday, June 14th. 


Fossil
Save up to 30% and more on select Fossil items! I spotted these cute iPhone 5 cases in the 34th Street boutique, and a big selection of wallets and bags on sale. 38 West 34th Street






Thursday, July 11, 2013

From the Archives: Woolworth's in Herald Square

In this post, archivist Anne Kumer shares some retail history. A slightly different version of this post appears on NYC Circa, a New York City history blog.

Eleven years after B. Altman opened store at 34th and Fifth, the Woolworth's Board of Directors announced that the company would build a large store at the NE corner of 40th Street and Fifth Avenue. The new "Five and Ten Cent Store deluxe" Woolworth's opened in the Fall of 1917.

Parade route along Fifth Avenue -- most likely a WWI send-off parade. The parade is heading south; the view looking north. The Woolworth's store is on the far right, and brownstones where the future Arnold Constable building are to its right (north). Date, ca. 1917  Image: NYPL
Over ten years later, in 1930, the first supermarket was built in Jamaica, New York, making it possible for food shoppers to obtain most, if not all, of their groceries under one roof. That, along with the growth of the suburbs throughout the 1930s, popularized discount retailing. Discount retailers such as Woolworth's, and in the 1950s, Korvette's and McCreery's, offered frequent sales, less individualized customer service, and savvy merchandising to attract a wide range of customers.

Window shopping on Fifth Avenue, ca. 1930. Image: MCNY
Throughout the 1930s, Woolworth's continued to grow and expand operations throughout the U.S. and in Canada. There was at least one store in the 34th Street Partnership District during this time. This one, in Herald Square, at the corner of 35th Street and Broadway, boasted a lunch counter large enough to accommodate 500 people at one time.

Woolworth's at 35th Street and Broadway, c. 1927 Image: Collection of Dan Pisark
In 1937, the NYT announced that plans were filed to build the company's 1,000th store further uptown at 39th Street and Fifth Avenue, just one block south of the existing flagship store. It opened a year later, in 1938, sixty years after the the first  "Woolworth's Great Five Cent Store" was opened in in Utica, New York.
Fifth Avenue looking north from 39th Street, ca. late 1930s / early 1940s. Image: Pisark
The new Woolworth's store was designed by architects Starrett & van Vleck, known for designing the flagships of several other department stores, including Lord & Taylor on Fifth Avenue between 38th and 39th Streets (It's still there.).

Woolworth's shopper shot by Stanley Kubrick, 1947. Image: MCNY
The F.W. Woolworth Company went defunct in 1997, and as of 2001 the company has been part of Foot Locker Inc.

There are two Foot Locker stores in the 34th Street area, each within blocks of the former Woolworth's store at 35th Street and Broadway, aka 1333 Broadway, which will soon undergo another retail transformation when Urban Outfitters moves in.


Other Sources
Union League Club Landmarks Preservation Commission Report, LP-2389
This book from Google book.
Wikipedia

Wednesday, July 10, 2013

Mango on 34th Street: A Business Look

Usually, when looking for cute but slightly conservative-skewing business attire, I hit up Zara on 34th Street. But last week I tried on these at Mango:


Totally summer board meeting worthy, right? I know it's hard, but please ignore the wrinkles. These pants are 100% pretty in person.

Top $39.99, pants $59.99.

Occasionally, these pants can look like a skirt. But I promise, it's not annoying like "UGH I wish these clever pants would stop being a skirt." Instead one feels very elegant wearing them, even in the dressing room with wrinkles.

Shoes on sale for $34.99.

These pants are long (although not enough on me, but I have a very long inseam and they were slightly small on me). Look for these super high wedges on the shoe sale rack.


Mango
7 West 34th Street just west of Fifth Avenue

Tuesday, July 9, 2013

Desigual Shoe Sale




When it comes to Desigual shoes, what's not to love? The fun colors, patterns, and great everyday styles make them irresistible, and now they're on sale, too! Find Desigual shoes for up to 70% off at the 34th Street store on Fifth Avenue. Bonus: other accessories are also on sale, too, including bags, scarves, jewelry, and more.




Desigual
358 Fifth Avenue at 34th Street

Monday, July 8, 2013

NEW: Live Love Dream at Aeropostale

In stores now: the new Live Love Dream line at Aéropostale. I'm really digging this collection, an "active, dorm, and yoga" line. Photos below are from their Facebook page. Get to one of our 34th Street stores and shop this new collection that just launched yesterday!







Aéropostale
Manhattan Mall, level one, 33rd Street & Sixth Avenue, and 
15 West 34th Street just west of Fifth Avenue


Wednesday, July 3, 2013

34th Street Holiday Weekend Picks: Happy Fourth of July!

Happy grilling, happy toasting, and happy shopping: it's July, there's a holiday, and the sales they are a-hopping. Have a safe and fantastic Fourth of July, everyone! 

Zara
The sale's still on, and the stock is robust. Here's a selection of prices: $7.99 for tanks, $9.99 for T-Shirts, $29.99 for pants, $39.99-$49.99 for dresses, $69.99 for jackets, and $199.99 for leather coats.  39 West 34th Street just east of Sixth Avenue



Steve Madden
Yes, that's a B1G1 50% off sale at Steve Madden.  41 West 34th Street just east of Sixth Avenue



Uniqlo
Select items on sale throughout the store, including some Designer Invitation Project (the Leur Logette) and what's left of the Celia Birtwell and Laduree collabs. Also, select Karen Walker is on sale, below.  31 West 34th Street

Adorable Karen Walker for kids.
Karen Walker for the big kids.
WHO.A.U
The entire store is 40% off.  22 West 34th Street between Fifth and Sixth Avenues


Timberland
There's a sale, discounted prices vary, but I can tell you I got my man a pair of sandals that were originally $50, marked down to $29.99, and got another 20% off taken at register.  28 West 34th Street between Fifth and Sixth Avenues 



Vince Camuto
I do LOVE this boutique, and I try to not miss their sales.  30 West 34th Street between Fifth and Sixth Avenues



Mango
Select dresses, tops, shorts, footwear, and bags are up to 50% off.  7 West 34th Street just west of Fifth Avenue



Gap
30% - 50% off select items, including my favorite rolled-cuff boyfriend shorts. 60 West 34th Street at Broadway