Iwalked New York City’s Bloomingdale’s

Iwalked New York City’s Bloomingdale’s - When one thinks of shopping in New York City, one name immediately pops to the forefront of most individual’s minds—Bloomingdale’s. With seven and a half stories of retail space to conquer, it’s no wonder that even Queen Elizabeth II made it a pit stop on her list of “to-do’s” during a visit in 1976.

Bloomingdale’s

Bloomingdale’s began in 1872 when two brothers named Joseph and Lyman G. Bloomingdale began selling hoop skirts in a small row house located at 938 Third Avenue. In a time when most retailers were only selling one specialty item, the brothers Bloomingdale were so bold as to begin to carry other items as well. This was one of the first instances of a true department store as we know it today.

In the store’s earliest days it thrived on an image of bargain prices. This image maintained until the 1970’s when “Bloomies” became a name associated with the finer things in life. Suddenly shoppers could buy branded underwear with the name “Bloomies” etched on it to show their own sophistication. Riding the tide of the spend thrifty 1980’s, the retail giant underwent a dramatic expansion.

Fast forward to the next decade (January 1990 to be specific) and Bloomingdale’s suddenly found itself facing enormous amounts of debt. The company had to file Chapter 11 bankruptcy and was eventually acquired by Macy’s which still owns the chain.

Bloomingdale’s iconic image has been featured in numerous high profile movies. In the 1984 Tom Hanks film, Splash, Darrell Hannah’s piercing mermaid voice destroys a series of televisions in the store. More recently (2001), John Cusack romanced Kate Beckinsale at the glove counter in Serendipity.

• Website: http://www.bloomingdales.com/
• Address: 1000 Third Avenue, New York City
• Cost: Free to view…once inside, it’s up to you.