- Home
- slideshows
- miscellaneous
- We visited 123-year-old luxury store Henri Bendel the day after it announced it would close, signaling the end of an era for retail
We visited 123-year-old luxury store Henri Bendel the day after it announced it would close, signaling the end of an era for retail
The Henri Bendel flagship store is on Fifth Avenue, surrounded by other luxury retailers like Louis Vuitton, Cartier, and Bvlgari.
![We visited 123-year-old luxury store Henri Bendel the day after it announced it would close, signaling the end of an era for retail](/_next/image?url=https%3A%2F%2Fstaticbiassets.in%2Fthumb%2Fmsid-65815908%2Cwidth-700%2Cheight-525%2Cimgsize-1417502%2Fthe-henri-bendel-flagship-store-is-on-fifth-avenue-surrounded-by-other-luxury-retailers-like-louis-vuitton-cartier-and-bvlgari-.jpg&w=3840&q=75)
The interior of the store was stunning.
![The interior of the store was stunning.](https://staticbiassets.in/thumb/msid-65815907,width-700,height-525,imgsize-1364332/the-interior-of-the-store-was-stunning-.jpg)
The iconic brown and white stripes were everywhere, and elegant chandeliers were hanging all over the store. Almost everything was painted gold.
![The iconic brown and white stripes were everywhere, and elegant chandeliers were hanging all over the store. Almost everything was painted gold.](https://staticbiassets.in/thumb/msid-65815906,width-700,height-525,imgsize-132253/the-iconic-brown-and-white-stripes-were-everywhere-and-elegant-chandeliers-were-hanging-all-over-the-store-almost-everything-was-painted-gold-.jpg)
All of the displays were simple but eye-catching. The brand's "Influencer" collection was on display at the front of the store.
![All of the displays were simple but eye-catching. The brand](https://staticbiassets.in/thumb/msid-65815905,width-700,height-525,imgsize-1257731/all-of-the-displays-were-simple-but-eye-catching-the-brands-influencer-collection-was-on-display-at-the-front-of-the-store-.jpg)
There was also an Influencer shop within the store. It was set up similar to a department store.
![There was also an Influencer shop within the store. It was set up similar to a department store.](https://staticbiassets.in/thumb/msid-65815904,width-700,height-525,imgsize-1348487/there-was-also-an-influencer-shop-within-the-store-it-was-set-up-similar-to-a-department-store-.jpg)
The store carried sunglasses ...
![The store carried sunglasses ...](https://staticbiassets.in/thumb/msid-65815903,width-700,height-525,imgsize-1094004/the-store-carried-sunglasses-.jpg)
... perfume ...
![... perfume ...](https://staticbiassets.in/thumb/msid-65815902,width-700,height-525,imgsize-1291216/-perfume-.jpg)
... and a ton of handbags. Most products cost over $100.
![... and a ton of handbags. Most products cost over $100.](https://staticbiassets.in/thumb/msid-65815901,width-700,height-525,imgsize-1374302/-and-a-ton-of-handbags-most-products-cost-over-100-.jpg)
Jewelry typically cost at least $40, and even small accessories like keychains cost $30.
![Jewelry typically cost at least $40, and even small accessories like keychains cost $30.](https://staticbiassets.in/thumb/msid-65815900,width-700,height-525,imgsize-1218463/jewelry-typically-cost-at-least-40-and-even-small-accessories-like-keychains-cost-30-.jpg)
There were some things you don't typically see every day, like free monogramming of most products.
![There were some things you don](https://staticbiassets.in/thumb/msid-65815899,width-700,height-525,imgsize-1088628/there-were-some-things-you-dont-typically-see-every-day-like-free-monogramming-of-most-products-.jpg)
There was a long spiral staircase with gold railings leading up to the second floor.
![There was a long spiral staircase with gold railings leading up to the second floor.](https://staticbiassets.in/thumb/msid-65815898,width-700,height-525,imgsize-1132966/there-was-a-long-spiral-staircase-with-gold-railings-leading-up-to-the-second-floor-.jpg)
Upstairs, the walls were decorated with vintage photos of NYC, and handbags lined the walls.
![Upstairs, the walls were decorated with vintage photos of NYC, and handbags lined the walls.](https://staticbiassets.in/thumb/msid-65815897,width-700,height-525,imgsize-1258527/upstairs-the-walls-were-decorated-with-vintage-photos-of-nyc-and-handbags-lined-the-walls-.jpg)
There was a small lounge area ...
![There was a small lounge area ...](https://staticbiassets.in/thumb/msid-65815896,width-700,height-525,imgsize-1325257/there-was-a-small-lounge-area-.jpg)
... and an area that overlooked the ground floor. The store was surprisingly busy when we visited mid-day.
![... and an area that overlooked the ground floor. The store was surprisingly busy when we visited mid-day.](https://staticbiassets.in/thumb/msid-65815895,width-700,height-525,imgsize-1426813/-and-an-area-that-overlooked-the-ground-floor-the-store-was-surprisingly-busy-when-we-visited-mid-day-.jpg)
The store felt very high-end — much more so than most department stores today.
![The store felt very high-end — much more so than most department stores today.](https://staticbiassets.in/thumb/msid-65815894,width-700,height-525,imgsize-1299236/the-store-felt-very-high-end-much-more-so-than-most-department-stores-today-.jpg)
Even though it will have new merchandise through the holiday season, Henri Bendel will be closing the flagship store and all other locations in January, signaling the end of an era for the retail industry.
![Even though it will have new merchandise through the holiday season, Henri Bendel will be closing the flagship store and all other locations in January, signaling the end of an era for the retail industry.](https://staticbiassets.in/thumb/msid-65815893,width-700,height-525,imgsize-1358210/even-though-it-will-have-new-merchandise-through-the-holiday-season-henri-bendel-will-be-closing-the-flagship-store-and-all-other-locations-in-january-signaling-the-end-of-an-era-for-the-retail-industry-.jpg)
Popular Right Now
Advertisement