The end of an era, but the start of something we all saw coming, Barneys New York has officially closed all of its doors.
The historic flagship stands on 60th street, holding a reputation as one of New York City’s first department stores, as well as a tourist location with infamous Christmas windows year after year. They’ve housed collaborations with legends such as Lady Gaga, Mary Kate and Ashley, Madonna and many more.
Barneys announced they would be closing their doors in August of 2019 after filing for bankruptcy, the namesake being sold to Authentic Brands Group, the company now licensing the name to New York landmark Saks Fifth Avenue.
Longtime customers were left heartbroken, but waiting on the edge of their seats for the liquidation sales that would offer the likes of Fendi, Balenciaga, Gucci, Alexander Wang and many more.
The long, painstaking process of waiting out the sales to drop to an amount that would be worth pouncing on, was a metaphor for Barneys closing itself; slow, overhyped and honestly disappointing.
Many reported on the sales on a day to day basis as they ran, prepping shoppers for what seemed to be one of the greatest sales in history, but what turned into a five-percent discount for weeks until merchandise stood still.
The New York Post wrote that the sale “looked more like Sears or Kmart” than the upscale store it considers itself as. The Business Insider also reported high theft rates and called it a “free for all,” creating a dangerous environment for its employees.
Department stores haven’t been doing well for a long time now; it’s no secret to anyone that shops at them. A once bustling place where people spent their weekends on the experience of great customer service, discounts and even a bite to eat at an in-store restaurant, has now turned into something that people absolutely dread having to do.
Going to your local Lord and Taylor (also filed for bankruptcy in 2019) is almost as horrible as going to the dentist.
At the end of 2019, The Wall Street Journal reported that Macy’s closed about thirty stores nationwide due to lack of sales. Bergdorf Goodman and Neiman Marcus also face several billion dollars in debt, a problem that many department store retailers have in common.
You may be asking yourself the same question that these retailers ask themselves time and time again, why is this happening?
It’s the “retail apocalypse,” according to Business Insider.
Retailers are simply failing to meet the needs of the consumer. Department stores are having a hard time keeping up with what the new generation of shoppers are looking for. From prioritizing significant social media presence to following ethical practices, keeping up with the trends and everything in between, millennials and gen-z shoppers are moving on.
People are starting to spend their money on brands with a “purpose,” or brands that project good into the world instead of turning a blind eye to malpractice.
Although there are many conflicting feelings, the death of Barneys, and department stores in general, is truly a heartbreaking loss.
These stores hold a special place in our hearts whether we’d like to believe it or not. Waiting for mom in agony at Macy’s as she tries on a million different outfits, trying to find a gift for that special someone at Nordstrom, thinking to yourself that something in this place will work, spending hours in the Lord and Taylor shoe section and so many more things that our kids just won’t get to experience.
Won’t you miss the perfume lady harassing you to smell what she already sprayed in front of you? Or being begged to sign up for the Bloomingdale’s rewards card?
The end of Barneys will leave a massive footprint in the space it once held. Years from now, people will pass the former flagship, not even batting an eye, as they place an Amazon Fashion order to be delivered before they can even get home.
Words by Olivia Hawkins
Graphic by Titi Motta