There is probably no store more commonly associated with NYC than Macy’s. Present in film (Miracle on 34th Street) and other media and sponsor of the annual Thanksgiving Day parade and the annual fireworks display (since 1976), Macy’s has been around for nearly 150 years. It was established as a dry goods store in 1858 on 14th Street and 6th Avenue, then moved to 18th Street and Broadway (on the Ladies’ Mile) for 40 years and came to rest in 1902 at its current location at Herald Square (34th Street and Broadway). Click here for more photos.

The company went public in 1922 and subsequently expanded to locations across the country (it now has over 800 stores). It was the first store to use escalators – the original wood escalators are still in use. Macy’s is part of the fabric of New York City – like Central Park, Times Square, Grand Central Station, and the Empire State Building, it is nearly impossible to conceive of the city without it. Although it is a place a business, I think it has a different meaning in the hearts and minds of most New Yorkers than that of any other store.
In 1992, Macy’s actually filed for bankruptcy. Icon or not, any seasoned citizen knew that nothing is guaranteed, and Macy’s survival was in real jeopardy. They survived and merged with Federated Department Stores. Many internationally known businesses that may at one time been considered invulnerable have gone under, such as Pan Am…

Previously, I featured the Christmas window displays at Saks Fifth Avenue. This is the season’s store interior (click here for more photos) – isn’t it magnificent? I complimented the staff on the design and execution; they were so friendly, with no issues whatsoever taking photos (this is not always the case – I was reprimanded at Sephora at the Scribner location). In fact, they were very excited, took my card, and promised to check out the photoblog.

I was informed that Saks has its own in-house visual design staff. I am not a shopper at all, but this is the type of decor that inspires one to explore the high-end retailers. Click here for an exterior photo showing their snowflake lighting. If you are at all interested in NYC, visiting stores and its neighbors along Fifth Avenue is a must at least once in your life. A nice walk would be to start at 59th Street (Central Park, Plaza Hotel, Apple Store, FAO Schwarz) and stroll down 5th Avenue, ending at 42nd Street at the main branch of the New York Public Library…

Everyone knows there are lots of Santa’s helpers around the world. But we also know that there is only one real Santa. And where is he? 34th Street and Broadway, of course, at Macy’s – on the 8th floor in Santaland (a mere glance at the quality of Santa’s wardrobe should alleviate any doubts). Click here for photos of Santaland. The lines were long, and I thought it was a good idea to leave sitting on Santa’s lap and gift-wishing to the younger ones. So I opted to go to the line where one could get a peek at Santa – he was behind glass, hence the reflections.