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NEW Yorkers and holiday tourists alike are furious as the iconic Saks Fifth Avenue light show won’t be returning this winter.
The luxury designer has put up an elaborate holiday lights show in its flagship store’s window in Manhattan for two decades – but the tradition has come to an end in the store’s 100th year.
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A spokesperson for Saks Fifth Avenue told The U.S. Sun that the store is shifting gears.
“For many years, the holidays at Saks Fifth Avenue included a light show at our flagship store, and, for some time we have contemplated changing our approach,” a spokesperson said.
“In our 100th year, which also marks the anniversary of the flagship, we are celebrating the season by honoring the architectural significance of this iconic building, elegantly illuminating the facade and framing the holiday windows, as well as highlighting the fashion for which Saks Fifth Avenue is known.”
The store will have “holiday windows” on display starting in late November, but visitors can kiss the lights show goodbye.
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“We look forward to welcoming customers to our holiday windows throughout the season and invite them to discover inspiring gifts and unique holiday offerings within the Saks Fifth Avenue New York flagship,” the spokesperson said.
When pressed for an answer about the show’s future, the spokesperson reiterated that it wasn’t happening.
“Per our statement, we are celebrating the season by honoring the architectural significance of this iconic building, elegantly illuminating the facade and framing the holiday windows, as well as highlighting the fashion for which Saks Fifth Avenue is known,” the spokesperson told The U.S. Sun.
Macy’s originated the holiday windows in New York City in 1874, but Saks put its spin on the tradition starting in 2004.
The world-famous lights and music show projected on the side of the Saks flagship store facing Rockefeller Center in Midtown Manhattan.
For the weeks surrounding Christmas and New Year’s, the show ran every 10 minutes from dusk until midnight, featuring a new story with a holiday theme each year.
Holiday lovers have shared their outrage with the canceled festivities across social media.
“I just moved to NYC and was looking forward to it,” one complained on Instagram.
“No, so sad that’s my favorite during holiday,” another shared.
The issue is also flooding the comments of Saks Fifth Avenue’s Instagram account.
For some time we have contemplated changing our approach.
Spokesperson for Saks Fifth Avenue
“Bring back the light show stop playing!!” one wrote.
“We want the light showww backkkkk,” another added.
“What happened to the light show we are so sad we bought trips just to see the show,” a third wrote.
HISTORY OF SAKS
Even though the lights show won’t be happening, the holiday windows will still be on display at Saks Fifth Avenue’s towering building.
The high-end department store first came to Manhattan in 1902 at its Herald Square Location before moving to its flagship store on Fifth Avenue in 1924.
The location is 36 stories tall and considered a New York City staple for its long history and classic architecture.
In 1984, the store was designated as a landmark after six decades of setting the standard for luxury retail.
The holiday lights show’s cancellation might come as a surprise as the store is celebrating its 100th year at the flagship location.
LAST YEAR’S SHOW
This year’s letdown comes after the store’s joint campaign with Dior last winter, called Dior’s Carousel of Dreams at Saks.
The collaboration was Saks’ “most extensive holiday campaign” as the installation featured a giant dial covering the side of Saks’ 10-story building, the companies said in a statement at the time.
Following last year’s showstopping display, Glossy reported back in August that the company was behind on many payments to vendors, despite a recent $2 billion merger with Neiman Marcus.
It’s unclear whether the light show will return next year.
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