Is it just Macy stores up north that have the Lionel sets or do the ones in Florida also carry the sets? Seems like Florida gets overlooked for most stuff like this[B)], is Florida being included?
Perhaps someone in Florida can give us a field report. Although Macy’s stores in Florida are operated by Macys-Florida division, based in downtown Miami, “Hard Goods” or Home Store merchandise is bought by a central office in New York City for the entire Macy’s nationwide operation.
The sets are usually found in the Mens Department, and their Holiday Lane (ie: Trim A Tree) areas.
Last year I soptted the Polar Express set, at the Macy’s in Bay Shore, LI, which is FAR from one of their showcase stores. So I would think that any Macy’s might have them.
Again, this type of exposure is priceless to Lionel regardless of how you feel about Macy’s
Not saying anything bad about Macy’s except for what they have available to sell. I may go over to the Wellington area(southwest of West Palm Beach FL) mall later this week and see for myself, I am only about four miles from the mall.
For those of you who live in the NYC area, Macy’s Herald Square is holding a Family Day on Sunday afternoon November 18.
One of the highlighted events is a Representative from Lionel will be on hand in their Toy Department on the Eighth floor. In the ad they refer to Herald Sqaure as having a “Collection of new Lionel Trains”, and the rep will be on hand to demonstrate Lionel and answer any questions.
Considering that very few American Department stores even have Toy Departments, let alone Lionel, this is a nice touch of Christmas past.
I spotted Harry Potter and one other Set (Probably Pennsy Flyer) at both the Neshaminy Mall (Bensalem, PA) and the King Of Prussia Mall (near Valley Forge) last night. No sets (yet, probably on their way) at either the Oxford Valley Mall (Langhorne, PA) or the Plymouth Meeting Mall (Plymouth Meeting or Norristown area).
I haven’t been there this season, but the Macy’s on State Street in Chicago’s Loop (formerly the home Marshall Field’s, with a selling space second only to Herald Square) has engaged FAO Schwartz, the NYC-based toy store, to run its entire Christmas toy dept. on the fifth floor.
This means that FAO Schwartz has done the buying; the chain certainly does not resist the high-ticket items; do you think they’ll be sympathetic to Lionel trains? - al
Lionel now has their own corner at FAO Schwartz in Manhattan, so perhaps you’ll be in luck! Last year they had not only starter sets, but a beautiful opeating display, and even higher end locos and accessories!
Being on a limited income, I tend not to frequent Macy’s because of their pricing structure on many items. Do you know if the Lionel products will be shown with the MSLP or will the prices be adjusted (up or down)? Thanks.
Last season, Macy’s had the sets right at the list price.
The irony is that I remember Herald Sqaure and some of the LI stores always had Polar Express Sets in stock, just as bidding wars were breaking out for it on e-bay and other sites.
Macy’s solicits corporate co-sponsors each year for their Thanksgiving Day Parade, and other events including their Santa Land in Herald Square.
This year, Lionel Trains, is one of the sponsors of Santa Land. This means that the masses of people who wait to see Santa (and it is masses), will be right in front of Lionel ads. For those not familiar with this Santa Land, it has become an “A-List” thing to do in New York, and the wait line can easily run over 1 hour, many include groups of Adults who want to a group shot of them with Santa, as part of their Holiday visit to the Big Apple.
It does not hurt that their seasonal Toyland is right at the exit from Santa Land.
Considering that MTH was invloved here a few years ago, and never continued with it, this is a smart move on Lionel’s part.
Now, we need to get Lionel to open a public, year round Showroom layout in NYC.
Just as a follow-up, I was at Macy’s Herald Square yesterday, yes braving the masses, but NOT at 6:00 AM. We went through at a more civilized 9:00 AM.
The do have a larger Lionel area this year on the 8th floor, with the same 4 x 8 layout from last season running the Polar Express on the main track level and the NYC Flyer on the upper level. The base of the layout looks like one of the recreations of their pre-war display layouts with LIONEL spelled out on green block letters shaped like a trestle.
To answer a question that came about, Macy’s has all their sets right at the Lionel suggested price from their current catalog. One interesting note being the were sold out of Hogwart’s Express sets, and they said they were going to transfer some into Herald Square by today.
The best part of this type of display being we noticed VERY few kids rushing to Santa Land (which is co-sponsored by Lionel) that did not stop to stare at the trains with interest. As we have seen before with train displays sometimes it’s the parents who need a “chill pill”, and they too often shoo the kids away.
NOTE TO THE PARENTS OF AMERICA, if your kids show an interest in the healthy and fun hobby of toy trains, don’t run from it, ENCOURAGE IT!
…This is surprising to me. We have a new Macey’s here in Muncie that was changed over from another named store this past year. It sure surprises me they might be displaying an electric train layout…That’s something I’ve not seen in years. Will check that out.
Reminds me of the beautiful full display that filled one sizeable display window back in Penn Traffic Co. flagship store in Johnstown, Pa…so many years ago. As a youngster, seeing that was a real treat of the before Christmas activity. In fact, in my mind…that was thereal treat to see…
Quentin, that’s one of the named stops on my Johnstown trolley - how cool.
Al, FAO Schwartz in Macys nee Fields on State Street in Chicago has a few Lionel sets at full MSRP or even a bit above. Penn Flyer, Hogwarts (at least the box), and a few I hadn’t seen before - open box - no lid.
…Doug: That is cool…The Penn Traffic Store in downtown Johnstown was a real flagship store…A sizeable building and 5 stories of it…All kinds of merchindise. Marble decor as one walked into the first floor and all the jewelry on display and the smell of perfume…And the first place we use to head for upon entering the store was their cafeteria…Had to go there regardless how long the line was to get in…
They sold all kinds of model trains. And all other kinds of products as well.
Doug, I have a booklet here in the home office somewhere on the “Johnstown Traction Co.”, and I’m rather sure the streetcar {#357}, is pictured in it several times as it was in actual service.
How about…Ferndale…Is that an anouncement on your model…?
I got to ride once on a Johnstown Street Car…From out in Ferndale to downtown {yes}, to the Penn Traffic Store…A great aunt worked in the radio sales dept. at Penn Traffic. Era was just before TV hit the mass markets.
By the way…The flood of 1977 did major damage to the first 2 floors of the Penn Traffic and it was closed.
The building {brick and stone}, is still there and looks great and contains businesses and offices. It had been through the 1936 flood before that but was constructed long after the first devastating flood of 1889…killing over 2,000 people.
Almost forgot to mention…I checked our Macy’s store here in Muncie today and the result: No model electric trains…!
Responding to the toy train intersests in children, At a mall near me I saw a little kid like 5-6 years old watching the Pennsy flyer go around a small set, his mother came and said to him " You dont want to like thoe things, people will think your a freak!" and I just find that sick also nice to hear it comming from his own mother!
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