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Farewell FAO Schwarz: Last day at iconic Fifth Avenue toy store

FAO Schwarz has been featured in films as well.

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NEW YORK (AP) – Tom Hanks danced on a large floor piano there in the movie “Big“.

With the closing of FAO Schwarz, Upper East Side toy store Mary Arnold Toys gains a new distinction.

But it maintains that the closure is not necessarily permanent – FAO Schwarz could open at an unspecified date elsewhere in Manhattan, the company said.

His first store launched in 1962 in Baltimore, and it was called Toy Bazaar.

“It is really sad”, said Marcela Ramos, 34, who lives in the city and came with friends to mark the store’s last day.

FAO Schwarz has been known for its outrageous toy collection.

Ramos said she had already purchased a mouse pad and magnet, but was still searching for a plush, stuffed animal to make her experience complete.

“We are not going out of business”.

The world of fantasy that was FAO Schwarz’s flagship store will be no more after Wednesday.

“It doesn’t have the same feel, and the same as the name FAO Schwarz”.

It reminded shoppers that it looked forward to welcoming them in the future at a new address.

German immigrants Frederick Otto Schwarz and his two brothers opened Toy Bazaar in Baltimore, Maryland, in 1862. Its history goes back even further in time, however, as it was founded in 1862-it is the oldest toy store in the United States, and it is about to close its only location. The store, which has been the face of FAO Schwarz since 1986, is moving from its location on fashionable Fifth Avenue due to rising rent.

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People walk into FAO Schwarz toy store on July 14, 2015. “It solidifies Toys “R” Us as the leading specialty toy retailer in the nation, and it adds a jewel in their crown – they will get more specialty brands”.

Getty  Andrew Burton