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Macy’s Iconic Red Shopping Bag Sign Torn Down
The massive billboard has been in the same spot on the department store’s Herald Square flagship store for decades.
The Macy’s red shopping bag sign, seen here, has been taken down as the billboard’s owner, Kaufman Realty, looks to “modernize” the space.
New York—Macy’s giant red shopping bag sign that has beckoned shoppers to its New York City flagship store for decades has been taken down.
The four-story sign towered over the corner of West 34th Street and Broadway in Herald Square, one of the city’s busiest commercial intersections.
“For generations, the iconic sign at Macy’s Herald Square has been a recognizable part of the 34th St. experience and a symbol of our deep roots in New York City,” said a Macy’s spokesperson.
“As the neighborhood continues to evolve, the current sign, while beloved, is outdated and is being removed as part of broader updates by the billboard owner to modernize the space.”
Hiding behind the big red bag is a smaller building, which is not owned by Macy’s, but by Kaufman Realty, which also owns the billboard. A Sunglass Hut boutique currently occupies the ground-floor space.
Macy’s sued Kaufman Realty in 2021, alleging that after its billboard lease expired, Kaufman was in talks to lease the billboard to Amazon, which Macy’s said violated terms of its lease regarding competitor advertising. Kaufman denied it was in talks with Amazon.
The lawsuit was settled quietly in 2022.
The four-story sign towered over the corner of West 34th Street and Broadway in Herald Square, one of the city’s busiest commercial intersections.
“For generations, the iconic sign at Macy’s Herald Square has been a recognizable part of the 34th St. experience and a symbol of our deep roots in New York City,” said a Macy’s spokesperson.
“As the neighborhood continues to evolve, the current sign, while beloved, is outdated and is being removed as part of broader updates by the billboard owner to modernize the space.”
Hiding behind the big red bag is a smaller building, which is not owned by Macy’s, but by Kaufman Realty, which also owns the billboard. A Sunglass Hut boutique currently occupies the ground-floor space.
Macy’s sued Kaufman Realty in 2021, alleging that after its billboard lease expired, Kaufman was in talks to lease the billboard to Amazon, which Macy’s said violated terms of its lease regarding competitor advertising. Kaufman denied it was in talks with Amazon.
The lawsuit was settled quietly in 2022.
The property, known as “The Million-Dollar Corner,” has been described as “the most contentious corner in New York,” according to the New York Post.
Rowland H. Macy founded dry goods store R.H. Macy & Co. in 1858, setting up shop on the corner of 14th Street and 6th Avenue.
In the early 1900s, Macy made plans to relocate to Herald Square.
Businessman Henry Siegel of The Siegel-Cooper Company tried to take over Macy’s downtown lease but was rejected, said the New York Post.
Meanwhile, real estate titan Robert “Pop” Smith was concerned that the move would lure shoppers away from the downtown area.
So, on behalf of Siegel, Smith approached the owner of the building on the corner of 34th and Broadway and offered him more money than Macy’s, in the hopes that it would pressure Macy’s to reconsider leasing the downtown building to Siegel.
Macy’s refused, and built its store around the corner lot, opening the doors in 1902.
Related stories will be right here …
Rowland H. Macy founded dry goods store R.H. Macy & Co. in 1858, setting up shop on the corner of 14th Street and 6th Avenue.
In the early 1900s, Macy made plans to relocate to Herald Square.
Businessman Henry Siegel of The Siegel-Cooper Company tried to take over Macy’s downtown lease but was rejected, said the New York Post.
Meanwhile, real estate titan Robert “Pop” Smith was concerned that the move would lure shoppers away from the downtown area.
So, on behalf of Siegel, Smith approached the owner of the building on the corner of 34th and Broadway and offered him more money than Macy’s, in the hopes that it would pressure Macy’s to reconsider leasing the downtown building to Siegel.
Macy’s refused, and built its store around the corner lot, opening the doors in 1902.
Smith sold the store to another buyer in 1911 for $1 million, earning the corner its nickname. It has switched hands several times in its 100-plus year history.
As for the big bag billboard, Macy’s did not respond to a request for comment on how long it has been there.
The red bag appears to have first popped up in 1994, based on a survey of archival Getty images, ABC 7 New York reported. A huge sign of some kind has been in that spot since around the 1950s.
SEE: Macy’s Signs Through the Decades
Embed from Getty Images
“Soon, Macy’s will announce refreshed and dynamic branding for Macy’s Herald Square that honors our heritage while reflecting the future of our flagship,” said the spokesperson.
Macy’s ranked No. 8 on National Jeweler’s 2025 “$100 Million Supersellers” list, with an estimated $1.27 billion in jewelry and watch sales.
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