Citing sources familiar with the deal, the Crain’s report said Toys “R” Us is in negotiations to move FAO Schwarz to a Broadway office tower north of Times Square.
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It’s been featured in several movies, including “Big“, where Tom Hanks danced on its large floor piano. Multitudes of children wandered through the aisles, wide-eyed with delight at the giant stuffed animals and other toys. And a fair number of parents winced at some of the price tags.
Woody Allen and Mira Sorvino, who play the lead roles in the romantic comedy, run into each other by chance at the New York toy store during the film’s final scene. Its owner, Toys R Us, says it’s looking for a new location in the city and may reopen next year. “It’s a great store so it should probably remain in its original home”, said Flo Marinez, who, as a teenager, once had a sleepover inside the store.
The iconic toy store F.A.O.
Nick Jonas stopped by and hopped around the piano in December while singing “Jealous“.
But generations of ordinary families have also reveled in three levels of toys and candy.
After more than 150 years FAO Schwarz is closing its doors.
One Manhattan woman shopping there hadn’t heard FAO Schwarz was closing. Toys R Us bought it in 2009. (Photo by Jackson Lee/Star Max/FilmMagic) NEW YORK, NY – JULY 28: Miranda Kerr and son Flynn Bloom arrive to FAO Schwarz on July 28, 2013 in New York City.
However, Boston Properties President Doug Linde said during during the company’sfirst-quarter earnings call with financial analysts last month that “the FAO Schwarz space is going to go through a major renovation and downtime as part of any re-leasing”.
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Right Start Inc. purchased FAO Schwarz in 2002, reported the Wall Street Journal, changing the company’s name to FAO, Inc. along with the acquisition.
