Macy\u2019s is once again facing the threat of a rival retail brand advertising right in front of its flagship store in Manhattan after its iconic shopping bag sign was torn down there over the summer, The Post has learned.<\/p>\n
The awkward prospect comes as Kaufman Realty \u2014 which owns space in the corner of the gigantic department store at Broadway and 34th Street \u2014 is installing new four-story digital billboards where the gigantic Macy\u2019s bag was perched for 60 years. The sign was torn down in July after the store failed to reach a deal<\/a> with the real estate firm.<\/p>\n Now Kaufman is courting \u201cbig national companies that do billions in annual sales\u201d to advertise on the billboard, according to Meridian Retail Leasing President James Famularo, whom Kaufman hired several months ago.<\/p>\n The iconic Macy\u2019s shopping bag billboard was torn down in July after a 60-year run. Luiz C. Ribeiro for NY Post<\/p>\n Kaufman is also looking to potentially lease the tiny space at the base of 1313 Broadway where a Sunglass Hut used to be, Famularo told The Post.<\/p>\n \u201cWe are talking to a lot national brands,\u201d he said. \u201cThe conversations I\u2019ve been having is that the tenant wants both sides of the billboard to rotate their product on different sides.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n The coveted corner draws over 240,000 pedestrians per day, and the little retail space is available \u201cfor the first time in over 30 years,\u201d according to Meridian\u2019s marketing material.<\/p>\n The Sunglass Hut closed last week after a decades-long run at the location, as did a Burger King below the store and by an entrance to the Herald Square subway. It\u2019s not clear whether Sunglass Hut declined to renew its lease, and the company did not immediately respond to a request for comment. <\/p>\n Kaufman is asking for $2.2 million per year for the 1,300-square-foot-space, according to a source.<\/p>\n Macy\u2019s claims that \u201cto the naked eye, the billboard is on Macy\u2019s department store.\u201d Luiz C. Ribeiro for NY Post<\/p>\n Macy\u2019s declined to comment on the latest with the ad space.<\/p>\n \u201cWe\u2019re always actively looking for opportunities that promote the Herald Square flagship to New Yorkers, and tourists around the globe,\u201d a spokesperson for the retailer said.<\/p>\n In June, the retailer told The Post it will \u201csoon announce refreshed and dynamic branding for Macy\u2019s Herald Square that honors our heritage while reflecting the future of our flagship.\u201d<\/p>\n