A new Macy’s discount store is set to hit the Bronx.
Macy’s Backstage, a new, off-price concept of national retail titan Macy’s, will soon come to Fordham Place, according to a Macy’s spokesperson.
The retail store, which will arrive in the Bronx sometime in late fall, will occupy the building at 404 E. Fordham Road, now known as Fordham Place.
Previously, the building was anchored by Sears for almost eight decades before that retailer closed the location last November.
The building originally housed clothing retailer, Rogers, who operated until the early 1930s.
Retail Properties of America, Inc., who purchased the building in 2013 from Acadia Realty for $130 million, leased 35,200-square feet of retail space to Macy’s for an unknown number of years.
The goal and vision of RPAI is to reposition the property to attract new retailers, such as Macy’s Backstage.
Upon completion and opening, it will be RPAI’s first Macy’s relationship.
“We are very pleased to add Macy’s Backstage to one of our premier assets,” said Greg Goldberg, RPAI’s vice president and leasing director for the North Region. “We were able to upgrade the merchandising mix of the center, with minimal downtime and capital expenditures, while also significantly improving the value of the asset.”
The retail store, which will offer apparel, shoes, fashion accessories, housewares, home textiles, intimate apparel and jewelry between 20-80 percent off of original prices, will also include amenities such as free WiFi and a suite of spacious fitting rooms.
“Macy’s is excited to bring its new off-price store, Macy’s Backstage, to the Bronx because of the borough’s cultural and demographic diversity,” said Elina Kazan, Macy’s public relations spokesperson for the east coast. “Fordham is an extremely dynamic neighborhood and we are eager to open our store, bring new jobs to the community as well as bargains for neighborhood shoppers.”
“The addition of the Macy’s Backstage in the area is a great addition to the area,” said Daniel Bernstein, deputy director of the Fordham Road Business Improvement District. “Macy’s is a well-known retailer, and it will give more choices and better brands at good prices to local shoppers.”
Bernstein also said that the timing for the retailer to hit the Bronx is perfect, considering all of the changes that have already resulted from the Fordham Plaza Reconstruction Project, which will include new stores and businesses, easier access to and from public transportation, more direct and safe pedestrian crossings and increased pedestrian walking space.
The active ‘renaissance’ is taking place at Fordham Place and 1 Fordham Plaza, one block away, and is expected to be completed sometime this fall.
“Macy’s Backstage choosing the Bronx as one of their locations underscores their commitment to our borough as well as their acknowledgement that the Bronx is a very profitable marketplace for them,” said Borough President Ruben Diaz, Jr.
Macy’s is currently in the process of opening Macy’s Backstage stores in Brooklyn, Queens and Suffolk County.
Following the opening of these stores, Macy’s will focus on opening locations in Nassau County and in New Jersey.
