tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3723065623705340751.post9010361277251529756..comments2024-03-25T16:03:25.833-04:00Comments on The Department Store Museum: Saks Fifth Avenue, New York City, New YorkBAKhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00279830033473558147noreply@blogger.comBlogger44125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3723065623705340751.post-12772503797109866762020-08-10T19:35:12.416-04:002020-08-10T19:35:12.416-04:00I opened the Boston store in 1971. Did you happen ...I opened the Boston store in 1971. Did you happen to do the renovation of that store? Do you happen to have photos before the renovation?? I was an incredible store with a huge staircase and hand painted murals in the shoe salon as well as the staircase foyer.Frank DeVitisnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3723065623705340751.post-25762530602582090222020-08-10T19:29:08.000-04:002020-08-10T19:29:08.000-04:00I opened the Boston store in 1971. Did you by chan...I opened the Boston store in 1971. Did you by chance do the renovation? I would love to know if you have any photos of the original store before the renovation?Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14208146191831926615noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3723065623705340751.post-83999106355722879982019-09-15T03:57:51.395-04:002019-09-15T03:57:51.395-04:00What marvelous stories!What marvelous stories!Timothy Melendezhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14279561423887729417noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3723065623705340751.post-63667169546792774032019-09-15T03:56:20.646-04:002019-09-15T03:56:20.646-04:00Hello! What an interesting job you must've ha...Hello! What an interesting job you must've had working on these projects! <br /><br />I worked part-time at Saks in Woodland Hills from 1980-84 while I was attending university. Since then, I've had a special affection for Saks Fifth Avenue. I made some wonderful friends at Saks back then and we still get together to this day! I am fascinated by the architecture and history of Saks and their many branch stores. I'm sure you have many wonderful stories! Timothy Melendezhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14279561423887729417noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3723065623705340751.post-7365205784598076742019-02-07T02:43:19.562-05:002019-02-07T02:43:19.562-05:00I worked in the original Saks La Jolla store from ...I worked in the original Saks La Jolla store from 1980 until its closure in 1994. We were never open on Sundays except during the Christmas season; and then from 12 to 5.Dickhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14655451561969023797noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3723065623705340751.post-21563584663432884752018-11-28T16:18:21.090-05:002018-11-28T16:18:21.090-05:00No, they weren’t. None of the major stores were op...No, they weren’t. None of the major stores were open on Sundays. As far as I know, some department stores tested Sunday hours in 1969 but ‘better’ stores like Saks probably didn’t open on Sundays until the mid to late 1970s at the earliest, and then only mall stores like South Coast PlazaHushpuppy212https://www.blogger.com/profile/11760004451261416778noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3723065623705340751.post-51597748077457779462018-01-13T14:59:33.168-05:002018-01-13T14:59:33.168-05:00When I was a child, I remember the beautiful Saks ...When I was a child, I remember the beautiful Saks Fifth Avenue store in Downtown Atlantic City. We used to go there on special occasions for clothing. Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3723065623705340751.post-57257009057199628522017-09-14T03:21:13.721-04:002017-09-14T03:21:13.721-04:00Sak's opened a store in downtown Minneapolis i...Sak's opened a store in downtown Minneapolis in 1989; it was converted into an Off Fifth Avenue outlet sometime in the 90s.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3723065623705340751.post-49769512940785915502016-11-22T00:41:58.820-05:002016-11-22T00:41:58.820-05:00Saks had a summer only store in Petosky Michigan-...Saks had a summer only store in Petosky Michigan--very resorty and posh. Saks also had a college store in Ann Arbor, Michigan--very sporty and tweedy posh! Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3723065623705340751.post-51663591101184060982016-01-08T19:53:19.165-05:002016-01-08T19:53:19.165-05:00My father had a business at 42 West 48th St. My e...My father had a business at 42 West 48th St. My earliest memory of Saks was going there with him and my mother to get a winter coat with leggings that were like jodphurs. There was also a matching hat.I was about 4 yeats old. it was a beige outfit trimmed in brown velvet. A was a little princess. After buying it, I wore it out of the store and we went to lunch at the restaurant under Rockefeller Plaza where the Christmas tree was You saw the people ice skating. We ate there every year and looked at the tree until my father died when I was 12. Saks WAS and is still the best Dept. Store in NYC. It's also the best dept. store on Long Island in the Walt Whitman shopping center. I just love the store.Anita Maiernoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3723065623705340751.post-71743404126347741462015-12-27T16:25:27.972-05:002015-12-27T16:25:27.972-05:00I remember modeling kids clothes for saks many yea...I remember modeling kids clothes for saks many years ago. How would I find pictures? I'm having no luck on Google Wondererhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11402528201271501004noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3723065623705340751.post-56406952378740202902015-12-15T04:07:56.071-05:002015-12-15T04:07:56.071-05:00I remember the real---gift boxes not the folded ju...I remember the real---gift boxes not the folded junk and the Tanglewood Tweed boxes used for apparel items that were not gifts again not collapsed but actual boxes with brown tops I went into the mens department in San Francisco. and if I had been told that I could have anything I wanted for free, I would not have been interested. By the way, SFA used to refer to itself as the largest specialty shop in the world and SAKS-34th as the specialty shop at Herald Square---not as department stores!Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3723065623705340751.post-932786454428665922015-11-17T00:32:26.029-05:002015-11-17T00:32:26.029-05:00What year would these shoes be from?What year would these shoes be from?Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07947178205463329515noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3723065623705340751.post-62937042383361685632014-10-18T13:46:18.472-04:002014-10-18T13:46:18.472-04:00Thank you! You describe, certainly, a lost era. I ...Thank you! You describe, certainly, a lost era. I do with I had a better illustration of the store, and I do keep looking as much as time and budget will allow!<br /><br />I appreciate your endorsement!<br />- BruceBAKhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00279830033473558147noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3723065623705340751.post-2264162628581040412014-10-18T05:24:40.033-04:002014-10-18T05:24:40.033-04:00Dear Bruce: Thanks for the fantastic job! You'...Dear Bruce: Thanks for the fantastic job! You're doing a real public service...I mean it!! I noticed that you have the 1952 San Francisco Saks located on Geary...I'm certain that the store was on Grant Avenue, just a few blocks from Chinatown. The store had two small elevators encircled by a staircase (no fine store had escalators in those days!). The two little elevators were always operated by Chinese women in beautiful silk dresses. It seems a bit racist today, but at the time it was certainly unique. Saks first (1952) San Francisco store was called "a little jewel box" by a guide book I used to own and that was an apt description. (The current store on Union Square has all the charm of a J. C. Penney, with an ugly escalator installation running through the center of the building.) The 1952 store had the entrance on Grant Avenue as well as a side entrance on Maiden Lane, which was a charming alley of fine specialty shops. There were just three floors to this original San Francisco Saks and each floor had the feel of a shop within a shop...so different from the New York flagship. Thanks again Bruce!Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3723065623705340751.post-21597401876485941032014-08-11T02:54:26.423-04:002014-08-11T02:54:26.423-04:00I'm glad Saks is still on Michigan Avenue in C...I'm glad Saks is still on Michigan Avenue in Chicago. I don't think there's any other Saks Fifth Avenue stores left in Chicagoland.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3723065623705340751.post-38633125615588210372014-05-06T17:23:46.757-04:002014-05-06T17:23:46.757-04:00Does anyone know if Saks was open on Sunday's ...Does anyone know if Saks was open on Sunday's in the 1960's?Unknownhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17778480656078462491noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3723065623705340751.post-83886105917818819412014-02-03T08:28:49.895-05:002014-02-03T08:28:49.895-05:00Richard Baker of Hudson Bay Company has purchased ...Richard Baker of Hudson Bay Company has purchased Saks and is making an attempt to turn the store into the icon it once was. He has appointed Maragay McKee as President of Saks who is a tiger, and will try her best to reach Mr Bakers goals. There are a few issues that Mr Baker is unaware of. The people that he has surrounded McKee with both above and below her position are old Saks cronies who were involved in some way with the corruption scandles which resulted in many of the operations staff being removed in handcuffs and serving time in jail. During this period Watross, Levinsen and Scheer were all present and just past over during the investgation as the "honest ones" for collusion, corruption and general dishonesty all lining their pockets with Saks money. Watross left Saks however Levenson and Scheer stayed on staff to take over the reins. <br /><br />When Hudson Bay took over Baker natually felt Watross was the man to put back at Saks in charge of all operations back with his two partners in crime! <br /><br />Ms Mckees new position is going to be fruitless unless she understands the whole story surrounding this past history. <br /><br />These guys are ruthless and will do whatever it takes to maintain a position and have been controlling Saks back operations for years. There are no bids, they just award huge contracts to whoever they want. Money under the table is the norm and not actually having the work completed. <br />Saks has this internal organized crime game going on and the flagship store suffers along with the personel that want to try and make it better. <br /><br />Ms Mckee had been put into a situation and she is unaware of the history. These clowns will run her in circles, send her chasing her tail until she gets frustrated. No one knows the game better than these three. <br />Vaya Con DiosAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3723065623705340751.post-51137253014225037442013-12-18T19:37:18.656-05:002013-12-18T19:37:18.656-05:00Quite so...The new Bal Harbor store replaced a sm...Quite so...The new Bal Harbor store replaced a small Saks store on the corner down the street known as Saks Fith Avenue Surfside. It was still there in 1973.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3723065623705340751.post-34213550251983412292013-09-13T05:46:14.825-04:002013-09-13T05:46:14.825-04:00I worked at Saks, La Jolla, at that time also. Ar...I worked at Saks, La Jolla, at that time also. Are you Mary B from the office?<br /><br />Dick S Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3723065623705340751.post-61891190334298347632013-09-03T12:31:54.947-04:002013-09-03T12:31:54.947-04:00I worked at the La Jolla store in the 80s and it w...I worked at the La Jolla store in the 80s and it was the happiest I have ever been. I had to return to England but have never forgotten the store. The Mission Valley store was not as special, I wonder if it's still there...Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3723065623705340751.post-39812272998765072802013-09-03T12:30:27.693-04:002013-09-03T12:30:27.693-04:00I wodked at the La Jolla store in the 80s and it w...I wodked at the La Jolla store in the 80s and it was the happiest I have ever been. I had to return to England but have never forgotten the store. The Mission Valley store was not as special, I wonder if it's still there...Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3723065623705340751.post-53930619295112851482013-06-02T11:05:48.378-04:002013-06-02T11:05:48.378-04:00I just started working at Saks selling men's s...I just started working at Saks selling men's suits, and I have to saythat I'm sorely dissapppointed. Poor customer service and disorganized stockrooms make for a less than stellar shopping experience for well heeled customers. What happened to this legendary retailer? I will stick it out one year.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3723065623705340751.post-91244650534686149702013-03-11T17:14:24.241-04:002013-03-11T17:14:24.241-04:00I just stumbled on to this site and had to add som...I just stumbled on to this site and had to add some history to the various SFA stores and their locations. I worked for Robert J. Bridges Architects in NYC. Mr. Bridges was the architect of many of the stores over the years from the 50's to 1999 when SFA was bought yet again and the new owners had their own ideas on construction (my opinion cheap). <br /><br />My first project was the escalators for the 5th Avenue store., then the Dadeland Mall Fl, building along with Houston, Tx and Cincinnati, Ohio store with the skywalk. That building had been designed to be clad in Marble but for budget reasons was changed to brick. Those round brick columns were a challenge. <br /><br />Along the way I became the project architect/manager for Tulsa Ok, San Antonio Tx (North Star Mall and the boots) Orlando, Fl; Sarasota, Fl; Boca Raton, Fl; Short Hills, NJ; My last new building was Huntington, NY. Other new stores included Palm Springs, Vegas, Sunrise Mall Ft Lauderdale, San Deigo. We did a number of renovations, additions including South Hampton Long Island, Troy, Michigan; Boston, Bala-Cynwyd, Palo Alto. I know I have skated over a number of projects such as Santa Barbara. The store opening parties were always the a huge event, The San Antonio store had circus animals and Carol Burnett.<br /><br />Saks bought the Beverly Hills building when it was just the left wing, the wing on the right in the photo above was an addition by Paul Revere Williams an African American Architect. He later added the third addition. We added escalator tower and one story addition in the 90's and studies for a parking deck behind the store as Barneys was building a new store next store. About that time Saks purchased the adjacent department store and created the Mens store. <br /><br />The number of buildings and the travel I am afraid is lost to another era. Our firm was small but the staff was great and proud of our projects. Turn over was nearly non existent. Arnold Lezdkalns AIA was the project architect under Mr. Bridges for the Chevy Chase store in the late 50's early 60's and would pull out those gorgeous hand drawn drawings for the store once in awhile so that we could pour over the level of details, we added an escalator years later under Edward Whitfleet with Arnold' s help. Mr. Bridges made Don Lavin his partner and the firm name changed to Bridges and Lavin Architects. Other department store clients included B. Altmans, WJ Sloane, Lord and Taylor, Thalheimers, Gimbels, Bergdorf Goodman (I meet Mr. Goodman while working on one of the numerous departments. He lived on the top floor looking at the park later turned into a Spa).<br /><br />The Saks planning and construction staff were first rate to work with and the stories are warm and numerous including a cross country flight from Beverly Hills to NY, detoured due to a north east snow storm to Boston and the electrical contractor was also on the flight and came down with the flu. Everyone snowed in the weekend watched over John. They then memorialized the fated trip with an annual lunch.<br /><br />The Saks of yore was a wonderful company/client, a tremendous adventure at the start of my career, one which I will never forget!!!!<br /><br />Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3723065623705340751.post-30198464271321444302013-01-21T15:10:01.647-05:002013-01-21T15:10:01.647-05:00SFA @ Rockfeller Center... I LOVE YOU! I made note...SFA @ Rockfeller Center... I LOVE YOU! I made note of OneLifeinLlanview comments and I tend to agree to a point. However, even with it's flaws, SFA gets it right in NYC/Boston.<br />Yes, it always busy and bustling with tourists and the first floor makes you crazy but it is my FAVORITE NYC/Boston department store! Service, presentation, merchandise is tops. They are constantly remodeling to keep the store fresh and clean from the thundering herd of shoppers.<br /> End of season sales can reward you price wise.<br /><br />SFA NYC/Boston I LOVE YOU!Anonymousnoreply@blogger.com