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| In 1928, Bergdorf Goodman moved to the corner of 58th Street and Fifth Avenue, on Grand Army Plaza, near the Plaza Hotel. |
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| Bergdorf Goodman was one tenant in a complex which extended down Fifth Avenue to 57th Street. The com- plex, faced in white Dover Marble, replaced the Van- derbilt Chateau which had occupied the site. |
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| In 1968, Bergdorf Goodman acquired the leases of other businesses in the block and expanded to 57th Street. |
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| The elegant luxury store remains one of the most renowned specialty stores in the world. |
Bergdorf Goodman
Fifth Avenue, 57th to 58th Streets
On The Plaza
New York City, New York
PLaza 3-7300
Street Floor
Precious Jewel Box • Real Jewelry • Handbags • Small Leather Goods • Gloves • Belts • Accessories • Blouse Bar • Scarves • The Perfumerie • Cosmetics • Delman Shoe Salon • Plazapapers • Port of Call • Van Cleef & Arpels Boutique • Fendi Boutique • Hermès Boutique • Neuhaus Belgian Choclatier • Men's Shop • Alfred Dunhill of London
Second Floor
Lingerie • Negligees • At-Home Collections • Foundations • Mallett at Bergdorf Goodman Antiques • Jerry, Hairtstylist to Men
The European Collections Chanel • Givenchy Nouvelle Boutique • Saint Laurent Rive Gauche • Mila Schön • Fendi • The World of Geoffrey Beene • Muriel Grateau • The Fur Salon
Third Floor
Fourth Floor
Plaza Collections Dreses • Coats & Suits • Plaza Boutique • Plaza Approach • Halston Boutique • Ports International Boutique • Tiktiner Boutique • Fourth Floor Salon • Wig Shop
Gifts • Antiques • The Garden Path • Linens • Bath Shop • Decorative Acceories • Nena's Choice Gallery
Fifth Floor
Sixth Floor
Seventh Floor
Suga at Bergdorf's Beauty Salon • General Offices
(228,000 s.f.)
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| White Plains 1976 140,000 s.f. |
Coming in due course.
The White Plains store did not last long.... it eventually became part of a Mall (The Westchester) which includes Nordstrom and Neiman Marcus.
ReplyDeleteThe White plains store was for whatever reason, a total failure. It did not last long. Replaced by Neiman Marcus. Today the NYC store is fifth avenue and no where else.
ReplyDeleteThe WP store failed because it was the return store for all the Westchester woman who spent the day in NYC, went shopping and lunched, impressed their friends with a large purchase from BG, the would go home and return it the next day. That is the sole reason they closed, they lost money.
ReplyDeleteHowever, this store was beautiful, a museum piece of architecture
ReplyDeleteI remember A LOT of my infant and toddler clothes coming from Bergdorf. My father's aunts were really super rich(one of them got bored one day and her husband took her to France for lunch) unfortunately they were quite elderly and died before I could get to know them better...
ReplyDeletemy mom told me and showed me the labels and stuff when I was older and dressing my cabbage patch kids in layettes and dresses from Bergdorf. I had the best dressed dolls and bears in the neighborhood lol.
My cousins who were in there near teens at the time benefited from the generous relatives more than I did.
Oh and Bonwit teller or whatever it's called...I had stuff from there too.
They never should have changed the beauty department that was once on the main level. It was in a beautiful room with windows that let light in.....very pretty. Now its in the basement and looks like every other beauty department. I think I am probably the only person that cares but I am sad that merchandising has become so cookie cutter.
ReplyDeleteThe White Plains store was the ultimate in luxury at that time. It was all marble, plush rugs and crystal chandeliers all done so tastefully with a modern feel. I worked in men's furnishings where we sat our clients down and brought the items to them. We also had cashiers, "behind the scenes", the client never saw a cash register. I loved it!
ReplyDeleteI have been inside BG only a few times, but I find the interiors visually breathtaking. I love the fact that the escalators are non-conspicuous; you have to look real hard to find them!! The basement beauty department is the only thing that mars this store; it could pass for a slightly smaller-scale Sephora. Their housewares floor is not to be missed; it makes Saks' housewares floor look non-existent. The men's BG store directly across the street is a keeper as well. The fragrance department is a tiny little nook but worth it. Each floor is unique in its own way. Recommended visiting when in NYC if you want to check out the closest thing to a true luxury department store.
ReplyDeleteBergdorf Goodman actually improves with age! Both the main and the men's stores offer great merchandise (bring $$$'s) in an impressive setting.
ReplyDeleteYears ago, this grand dame had a downward spiral in merchandise and housekeeping... they had a few bad years. Again, much improved today. Service is spotty if you shop not dressed for success!
Berfdorf Goodman is a small jewel on Fifth Avenue NYC
Worked at the 57th Street store for few years. Have an original invitation (which unfolds into a decorative sketched long poster detailing what was sold on each floor) dated Aug 23, 1983 - the year they put in the escalators. Andy Warhol and Carla Fendi, were among the many who attended this party.
ReplyDeleteWorked at the 57th Street store for few years. Have an original invitation (which unfolds into a decorative sketched long poster detailing what was sold on each floor) dated Aug 23, 1983 - the year they put in the escalators. Andy Warhol and Carla Fendi, were among the many who attended this party.
ReplyDeleteI worked at the 57th Street store summer 1974. My job was to open new credit accounts. It was the first place I ever used a teletype machine. It connected to the credit bureau. I remember Diana Ross wanted to them to close the store so she could shop without anyone looking at her. She wasn't the only celebrity or prominent person who shopped there so they did not close the store for her.
ReplyDeleteThe White Plains store closed because BG's merchandise was oriented towards a sophisticated and very cosmopolitan clientele. There is not sufficient demand for that type of thing in the suburbs. Even very affluent ones like Westchester County and lower Connecticut.
ReplyDeleteWhen I was a young woman in the 1960s, my friends and I would go in to BG just to look around and gawk at the rich clientele, dreaming of someday being one of them.
ReplyDeleteI bought my prom gown at BG in 1965. In those days you (and your mother) were seated on a velvet couch. Dresses were brought out individually, and you chose the ones you'd like to try on. I decided on a scoop necked cotton brocade and ordered it in pink. We catholic school girls had to be modestly dressed. I went infor a "fitting" We also ordered some extra fabric that was made into a stole by our own dressmaker She decorated it with pink maribou trim. It was so exciting. Although we were middle class people, my mother worked in the city at various administrative assistant jobs, such as aat Mosler Safe Company. She was a smart astute shopper. later I was a Bonwit Bride. Janet, Darien CT. formerly of the Bronx.
ReplyDeleteBergdorf's was my first job after high school, in 1966. Worked stock in Cosmetics, then salesgirl in BiGi, then Gal Friday in the Advertising Dept (John Robinson was Mgr). We considered it an event whenever we saw Mr. Andrew Goodman-nice man. Good times!
ReplyDeleteI am researching a garment with the "bigi at Bergdorf's" label. Would you mind sharing what Bigi was? Any history would be greatly appreciated.
DeleteThank you
Bigi was the junior-size women's shop at Bergdorf's. There was also a snack bar called "Bigi Bites." You could certainly find references (ads mostly) to it in the New York Times archives.
Delete- Bruce
My great-grandfather, Francesco (Frank) Bellafiore, manufactured house brand ladies wear for Bergdorf Goodman 1920's-30's. Wish I knew more...
ReplyDeleteI was a copywriter there between l971 and l973. My husband had just been hired to run Bergdorf GoodMAN,the first proper men's clothing department. We met in a merchandise meeting. I was getting the feel of a Russian sable from Emeric Partos for its Town & Country ad. He walked in with three suits over his arm for GQ. His first words to me were, "Not many women can carry off a sable indoors." Everyone swooned. We followed a long tradition of love at the Plaza.
ReplyDeleteGood Evening and Happy 2020 ! It would be wonderful if anyone would care to elaborate on the various details of note that apply to Bergdorf Goodman vs.the new Neiman Marcus store that was opened recently at Hudson Yards. How do the stores differ and how are they similar in their offerings of products and services ? Thankfully, it seems that full-service restaurant dining is once again being recognized as part of the "experience driven millennial shopping experience," so it seems. Any thoughts and/or points of interest would certainly be interesting and very much appreciated. We really hope that future generations will enjoy the wonderful "make a day of it" shopping experience in the grand department store format, even if it is referred to as a "specialty store," such as this store,the great Bergdorf Goodman store we love. Happy New Year, warm regards and heartfelt prayers to one and all for a joyous 2020 and beyond ! Thank you again BAK for making it possible for us to have a place to celebrate and savor the great department store retailing experiences we love. We respectfully and wholeheartedly thank you for making such a homey place to enjoy the heartfelt, extended family like experiences of the great stores and their people, in a beautiful and comfortable online setting. God Bless !
ReplyDelete