JC Penney Comes to New York City

I like being on the front line of any fashion or retail event.  Yesterday, I braved the crowds at the grand opening of the only JC Penney store in Manhattan.  Any place else in the U.S. a JC Penney opening would not inspire chaos, but when department stores that suburbanites take for granted open in New York City, shoppers go crazy.

JC Penney opens in New York City

As soon as I entered the Manhattan Mall, where the compressed department store takes up the bottom two levels, I was annoyed. A security guard saw me take a snapshot of the huge JC Penny sign in the entry way and said, “No pictures.” With snappy dialogue from “The Real Housewives of Atlanta” still dancing in my head, my first thought was, “Who’s gonna check me boo?”

Instead, I asked why I couldn’t take a photo of a public sign?  I’d have to take that up with “them,” the guard said pointing in some vague direction.  Never mind.  

I went downstairs and an employee handing out flyers at the foot of an escalator nearly caused a ten-person pile up. Perturbed yet on a mission, I paused to look at cute dresses by Nicole Miller and Worthington. By the time I reached the ”I Heart Ronson” collection by Charlotte Ronson, my mood lightened.

I Heart Ronson by Charlotte Ronson

I purchased this boho chic ruffle top (see above photo) — on sale for $24.99.  A friendly sales woman let me use her coupon, so I only paid $21.

Call me a glutton for punishment, but I’ll be back…once the hype subsides.

Image credit: Tracy Hopkins