tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3723065623705340751.post8463086043524752634..comments2024-03-25T16:03:25.833-04:00Comments on The Department Store Museum: Bloomingdale Brothers, New York, City New YorkBAKhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00279830033473558147noreply@blogger.comBlogger51125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3723065623705340751.post-37916928548560405552021-02-26T03:20:15.371-05:002021-02-26T03:20:15.371-05:00My late Mother shopped at the 59th st.store back i...My late Mother shopped at the 59th st.store back in early 40's .She said the store did not have the cache it had in the 1970s but was still a nice store. She and Dad bought their wedding bands there in 1946.<br /><br />Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15979627669034103840noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3723065623705340751.post-39949675301483815552020-08-11T21:31:51.194-04:002020-08-11T21:31:51.194-04:00I have many fond memories of Bloomingdales in the ...I have many fond memories of Bloomingdales in the 70's and early 80's. I worked in the city and frequented the store. I remember being on an elevator one rainy night and a yellow raincoat clad Raquel Welch got on...just ravishing! Another time, I was having lunch and the actress Kathleen Noone (from All My Children, and then later Knots Landing) was sitting next to me at the counter reading an All My Children script. I told her I had watched the show when I was not working but now I could not as I had just started a new job. She commented..."It's good that you are working"...and that was before VCR's were popular. I also remember the complimentary blueberry muffins they offered with every selection. The main floor was hyper energetic...I always had the feeling that you could lift your feet and be carried by the energy! I remember the Mrs. Fields chocolate chip concession and the Espresso Bar...Bloomingdales always offered something different and special. Today, they have Magnolia Bakery on the 3rd Avenue side of the ground floor. But my best memory by far was walking through the candy department (which later housed David Burke) during a snowstorm the Friday before a Valentine's Day, and a woman announcing "Can I give you a kiss?" As people approached her, she gave them a Lindt truffle sample! I am sure they must have sold tons of them that day!Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3723065623705340751.post-6428539374110351462020-07-23T23:34:15.582-04:002020-07-23T23:34:15.582-04:00I worked at the Garden City store and helped open ...I worked at the Garden City store and helped open it in the fall of 1972. It was a gala event with bars on all three floors. There was trend setting design in all the departments. I worked in the Stationery and Luggage departments, later in Linens. I loved the Ondine restaurant, I was introduced to a Croque Monsieur there. At one time there was an Asian inspired antiques department on the top floor that was the furniture level. I worked in between the escalators selling fine antiques. That winter I managed the Christmas shop, Bloomingdales had beautiful ornaments, I still have a collection of German wooden ornaments that I bought while working there. There also used to be a fabric department in the basement, I splurged and bought some beautiful Liberty of London fabric there, it was 36" wide and cost me $5/yard, outrageously expensive at that time!!! Irene A. Lawsonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11607698443959217065noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3723065623705340751.post-65369927171047780972018-11-16T22:09:53.335-05:002018-11-16T22:09:53.335-05:00I worked at the flag ship store from 1991 to 1993 ...I worked at the flag ship store from 1991 to 1993 on 59th street and Lexington Avenue. It was the best time in my retail career! The sale associates and managers were considered the cream of the retail crop. During my time there I met many famous people of both stage and screen. The store treated everyone as equals. I made many friends and was always proud to wear my gold and back Bloomingdale's b on the lapel of my sport coat. Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3723065623705340751.post-55824501175727847712018-02-22T17:08:36.033-05:002018-02-22T17:08:36.033-05:00My late mother made my sister's wedding dress,...My late mother made my sister's wedding dress, too. I can remember tagging along when we went to downtown Detroit in order to by lace, trimmings, beads, etc. for her.<br />-BruceBAKhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00279830033473558147noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3723065623705340751.post-85756845249896105362018-02-22T16:32:26.170-05:002018-02-22T16:32:26.170-05:00I still recall shopping with my mother on the 6th ...I still recall shopping with my mother on the 6th Fl., Lexington Ave branch. She custom-made a beautiful mother-of-the-bride dress. It was a silk ribbon fabric in rose pink. Unfortunately, she passed, and saved the dress in memory of a special time we shared. CousinsGTShttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05365885157164797553noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3723065623705340751.post-46838455354705301392018-01-17T12:11:23.194-05:002018-01-17T12:11:23.194-05:00The bagels were part of the Bloomingdales bakery ,...The bagels were part of the Bloomingdales bakery , that ran along the 59 street side of the store adjacent to the coffee shop. The food hall was there and replaced with the Armani shop around 92. The bagels were made/ sold by the former menus designer buyer when she left that position and went out on her own. I believe her name was milly. Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3723065623705340751.post-80784317649431743342017-08-17T00:17:47.147-04:002017-08-17T00:17:47.147-04:00In 1967 there was a display, organised by the Cey...In 1967 there was a display, organised by the Ceylon Embassy, to mark 100 years of Ceylon Tea. Are there any records of this event<br />Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3723065623705340751.post-90156165146847989822016-12-19T10:16:42.943-05:002016-12-19T10:16:42.943-05:00I worked at Bloomingdale's on 59th Street in 1...I worked at Bloomingdale's on 59th Street in 1992-1993 and while I was there, there was a little restaurant/bakery off the 59th street side that had the best black russian bagels. Does anyone remember what the name of the restaurant was called? Or have a lead on who made those yummy bagels? Thanks!Stacyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01375027142062800455noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3723065623705340751.post-33305331368438770502016-07-12T11:55:07.374-04:002016-07-12T11:55:07.374-04:00It was the Birdcage at Lord & Taylor, and Ondi...It was the Birdcage at Lord & Taylor, and Ondine at Bloomingdale's. Michaelhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01776036808709119895noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3723065623705340751.post-69888370755417623412016-06-25T23:50:33.187-04:002016-06-25T23:50:33.187-04:00Does anyone remember the names of the restaurants ...Does anyone remember the names of the restaurants in the Garden City Bloomingdale's or Lord & Taylor in the late 70s - early 80s? I remember going to one whenever shopping with my mother that had fountains and lots of white and blue porcelain basins and vases but can't remember the name or the store in which it was located. Thanks!Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3723065623705340751.post-41950861375415365572016-02-10T21:20:30.268-05:002016-02-10T21:20:30.268-05:00This may sound completely outlandish, but I am hop...This may sound completely outlandish, but I am hoping someone else remembers (and possibly has a photo or better description/explanation) a room sort of behind the children's section at the flagship New York Bloomingdale's, where you were allowed to play. You enter and on the far side of the rather dark rectangular room was a sort of indoor play area, almost like a castle shape of various climbable ramps, mounds, and nooks. It was entirely carpeted, and the whole thing was a sort of maroon, purple, dark pink, and/or red kind of color scheme. In retrospect, it was almost like a giant cat playground for kids. There was one little nook that was a circle on its side (like a bass drum)---again, all carpeted---but it had plexiglass of some kind on the outer side so you could look out at the moms and dads and kids not in or on the actual play structure. You could sit in the bass drum nook sideways with your feet up, curled, but there were always other kids trying to get in. My family all remember this playroom to varying degrees, but my sister least of all and I have been searching the internet for any mention of it, to no avail. If I were alone I'd think I was remembering a hallucination, so maybe this comment at least will help someone else. I am hoping someone who worked at or visited Bloomingdale's in the time period (probably around 1976-1982) has more information of any kind or at least can say "yes, I remember that also!" <br /> And by the way, I think there's going to be a failure trying to communicate the kind of experience old-fashioned department stores (and even other stores) used to provide. There just isn't that kind of care, courtesy, or service anymore. Even when you go to really expensive places, it's not the same. The people there are working hard to imitate it because they've been instructed to, but they rarely really care about you or feel fulfillment meeting your needs. They are just doing what they are paid to do, with luck in a genuinely civil manner. I don't know what happened to cause the change, but people are simply different now. <br /> My family pointed out that a large percentage of the salespeople used to be older adults with long careers with the same company, and now it's largely very young people not interested in the jobs they have, only using them for a temporary paycheck to a completely different job elsewhere. That could have a major effect. It's sad because I remember my mom and aunt talking with or having friends who were saleswomen and they really took pride in and enjoyed their jobs, and found pleasure in trying to do them well, not just take a sales position as a placeholder while they distractedly half-tried and hoped for something better.bluehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09368050575999886229noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3723065623705340751.post-62358054454180030632015-06-17T12:11:46.597-04:002015-06-17T12:11:46.597-04:00During a shopping trip with my step-mother and sis...During a shopping trip with my step-mother and sister in the Summer of 73 or 74 we had the chance of running into Paul and Linda McCartney in the Junior's department at the Stamford CT store. My step-mother who was 29 at the time almost had a stroke. Paul actually asked if our mother was ok. Both Paul and Linda were very nice, shook our hands, and wished us a nice weekend and returned to their shopping.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3723065623705340751.post-11950470035247047732015-01-27T18:12:59.673-05:002015-01-27T18:12:59.673-05:00I would like to answer Michael; he asked "wha...I would like to answer Michael; he asked "what can we do to bring that energy back?". I remember shopping with my mother and aunt in Bloomingdales, Saks, Bambergers, Hahnes, etc. and the common thread of service was that the sales people made you feel as if it was their pleasure to provide service to you. We were not wealthy and did not spend large amounts of money but yet we were never made to feel as if we were interrupting someone's day or they definitely had something better to do than assist you. I know that corporate hires bodies that will accept the rate of pay offered and will work the miserable hours most of these employees must work. But treat your employees as if they matter, that their lives and the lives of their faimilies are important - treat them well. In short, take a page out of the lesson book of Bamberger's and maybe shoppers will once again speak of Bloomingdales with respect.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3723065623705340751.post-77769335741537291652014-02-25T08:06:43.937-05:002014-02-25T08:06:43.937-05:00If I were you, I'd look it up in the New York ...If I were you, I'd look it up in the New York Times<br />-BruceBAKhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00279830033473558147noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3723065623705340751.post-3701130475206540842014-02-24T18:36:29.035-05:002014-02-24T18:36:29.035-05:00I have a question: Does anyone know if Bloomingdal...I have a question: Does anyone know if Bloomingdales in New York City was open on the Sunday before Christmas in the early 50's (specifically 1952)?? Would greatly appreciate any help with this one!<br /><br />- Alex Tyrannosaurus Lexhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13603237955593916826noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3723065623705340751.post-7647995300990751712013-05-29T03:50:39.951-04:002013-05-29T03:50:39.951-04:00Do you know who Bloomingdale bought the 749 Lexing...Do you know who Bloomingdale bought the 749 Lexington Avenue property from? I've been doing research and found that a relative owned the property not long before the store opened.<br /><br />MichelleMichelle Ehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17744680280507356362noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3723065623705340751.post-46018238338285366852013-02-19T16:03:38.858-05:002013-02-19T16:03:38.858-05:00Bloomingdale's sadly lost its upscale fashion-...Bloomingdale's sadly lost its upscale fashion-forward merchandise orientation in the years following parent company Federated's 1994 merger with the much larger mainstream Macy's.<br />.<br />During the pre-shopping mall suburban retail era, Bloomingdale's 1972 Garden City store was a landmark on Franklin Ave, the "Fifth Ave of Long Island", along with prominent Saks and Lord & Taylor stores. After the Macy's merger, Federated shut down its Abraham & Straus chain and moved the Garden City Bloomingdale's into a nearly new A&S store in nearby Roosevelt Field mall. Today only L&T remains on Franklin Ave and the formerly tony Bloomingdale's building there is a Sears.scotthttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08338646655586781240noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3723065623705340751.post-37111190992441020262013-01-21T18:15:54.228-05:002013-01-21T18:15:54.228-05:00Bloomingdales @ Lexington Ave, NYC..... where have...Bloomingdales @ Lexington Ave, NYC..... where have you gone? Yes, you constantly remodel and keep current and are convenient to the Upper East Side... BUT, you have become another department store with bland merchandise @ a lower price point and scream sale AKA Macys and poor customer service. Your Boulivard 4 designer floor is a ghost of its former self, heck the whole store is a ghost of it's former self.<br /> I note during my current visits you are trying to return to upmarket in the first floor and mens clothing and I applaud your effort. Shoppers want you to return to your past and not be an Upper East Side Macys clone.<br /> <br />Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3723065623705340751.post-34616577623683756572013-01-21T14:48:09.140-05:002013-01-21T14:48:09.140-05:00Bloomingdales @ Lexington & 59th Street, NYC.....Bloomingdales @ Lexington & 59th Street, NYC... ZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZ was the shopping experience. Macy's has taken over and it shows in the merchandise offered for sale....ZZZZZZZZZZZ... nothing special/unique. The glory days are over for Bloomies @ 59th Street. They should discontinue the motto like no other store in the world"... while 59th Street store has been remodeled recently, once Macy's Herald Square remodel is complete both stores will be VERY similar.. again, ZZZZZZZZZZZZZAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3723065623705340751.post-57617935207936860792012-10-24T19:16:30.902-04:002012-10-24T19:16:30.902-04:00I HAVE A ROUND TABLE WITH A METAL TAG ON IT "...I HAVE A ROUND TABLE WITH A METAL TAG ON IT "MADE FOR BLOOMINGDALES IN FRANCE". IT WAS MY GRANDMOTHERS AND I REMEMBER IT IN HER NYC APARTMENT IN THE EARLY 40'S. AT THAT TIME I WAS 5 OR 6 YEARS OLD. I WOULD LOVE TO KNOW MORE ABOUT IT.Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03700744685714886384noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3723065623705340751.post-3426590507976866372012-09-30T14:04:04.069-04:002012-09-30T14:04:04.069-04:00Guys, I have acquired vintage Bloomingdales direct...Guys, I have acquired vintage Bloomingdales directories of the 59th street store from 1981. One is a regular directory, the other is a special promotional directory for the Ireland promotion. I took pics of them and I wish to have the directory transcribed onto this page. Please tell me what to do and where to send them.Michaelhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01776036808709119895noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3723065623705340751.post-30005698512644627072012-08-30T18:31:05.724-04:002012-08-30T18:31:05.724-04:00Bloomingdale's Riverside Square Mall was origi...Bloomingdale's Riverside Square Mall was originally the free-standing Hackensack NJ branch built in 1959; the mall was quite literally built around it in the '70's. It was an "upscale" store and not the place to find affordable back-to-school clothes for four young children! Mom usually went to Bloomingdale's only when she had to buy a wedding gift. She was very proud of her Bloomingdale's charge plate (in those days they weren't plastic cards they were metal plates). It was her first charge account opened years before when she worked in New York City. Mom always said her wedding gown came "off the rack" from Bloomingdale's. That was also where she bought her service of sterling flatware; a full luncheon, dinner, and dessert service for twelve, each place setting wrapped in brown anti-tarnish cloth printed with the Bloomingdale's script B in silver. The entire service wrapped in the original cloths remains in the family. Mom always said Bloomingdale's meant quality.agbjrnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3723065623705340751.post-49324679208123477792012-08-07T23:27:09.466-04:002012-08-07T23:27:09.466-04:00The Bloomingdales Store at White Flint Mall in Ken...The Bloomingdales Store at White Flint Mall in Kensignton, MD closed recently.Emanuel D Clarke, Class of 93https://www.blogger.com/profile/05771098496220590693noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3723065623705340751.post-44554551156160916912012-06-29T17:02:44.213-04:002012-06-29T17:02:44.213-04:00What can we do to bring that energy back?What can we do to bring that energy back?Michaelhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01776036808709119895noreply@blogger.com