Latest news with #Macy'sFlowerShow
New York Times
01-05-2025
- Entertainment
- New York Times
How the Macy's Nighttime Team Keeps the Flowers Fresh
Good morning. It's Thursday. Today we'll look at how an indoor flower show stays fresh. We'll also get details on a possible strike by train engineers for New Jersey Transit. When the last customers have been shooed out of the giant Macy's store at Herald Square — at 9 p.m. most nights, an hour later on Fridays and Saturdays — the hoses come out. It's time to spritz what's above the perfume and cosmetics aisles — carefully, so the counters don't get drenched. It's time for touch-ups. It's time to bring in the stars of tomorrow, if the stars of yesterday have faded. So it goes after hours at the Macy's Flower Show, which has turned part of the store into a dreamscape with 50 varieties of plants. That translates into 8,000 plants and 50,000 stems with banana-yellow blooms, delicate pink swirls and purple necklaces. What shoppers probably don't realize when they snap selfies by the roses and hydrangeas is that watering tanks for all the planters are hidden away. The nighttime team props up ladders to reach the flowers that have been arranged in swirls around the building's support columns. The flowers closest to the ceiling need a drink, too. Macy's says that each night of watering takes six to nine hours. What about middle-of-the-night emergencies? If it's 1 a.m. and the sunflowers or gerbera daisies in the 'Honeycomb Heights' installation need refreshing, that is not a problem, said Will Coss, the Macy's executive who oversees the creation and construction of events like the flower show. There is a storage area in the store, away from shoppers, where floral replacements are kept until they are needed. 'Everybody and everything that's needed is here,' he said. Macy's flower supplier, the Bouqs Company, said the opening of the show last weekend had demonstrated that it could 'persevere through the pivots' as it also prepared for Mother's Day, one of the biggest holidays on its calendar. The flower show is one of the fixed points on Macy's calendar, along with the parade for Thanksgiving and the fireworks for the Fourth of July. This year the flower show comes as Macy's is pressing on with a turnaround plan that includes closing 150 underperforming locations. In March, Macy's reported its best quarter in nearly three years, but it expects comparable sales to fall as much as 2 percent this year, in part because of the store closings. The flower show is different from the parade and the fireworks. It unfolds in the Herald Square store, not outside in the streets or the sky. Only a few steps past the revolving doors on Broadway is what Coss referred to as the 'entrance statement,' an installation called 'The Floral Ascent.' He mentioned that it contained hydrangeas, roses and asparagus ferns, but that is not all. Bromeliads, calathea, chrysanthemums, dahlias, lisianthuses also swirl toward the ceiling. 'We're living in a fantastical space,' Coss said, but it is space that was defined generations ago by the architects and engineers who placed the columns that reach from floor to ceiling. Coss and his team couldn't move them, so they gave them 'column surrounds,' blue vinyl wraps printed with clouds. Then they wrapped the flowers around the wraps. They created other nonfloral elements, like a beanstalk with mirrored surfaces that shimmer. It was, Coss said, 'constructed by hand,' by the same team that makes the floats for the Thanksgiving parade. 'In this day and age, so much can be done by 3-D printing,' he said, 'but here, there's a personal touch.' There are also planters that mimic the shape of a cruise ship (a tie-in to the Holland America Line, which Macy's lists along with Bouqs and Lego as 'creative partners') and a section with YSL Beauty fragrances that carry the scents of different combinations of flowers. One is an alcohol-free citrus floral scent; another features notes of ferns and geraniums. Lined up in nearby stands are hundreds of calla lilies to be given to shoppers who make a purchase. Coss was a live-event producer for television before Macy's hired him four years ago. He was the executive producer of the 'Kids' Choice Awards' for Nickelodeon and the 'TV Land Icon Awards,' among other programs. But the impresario of the flower show is not much of a gardener. 'I aspire to be one one day,' he said. 'I'm a city guy right now.' Expect a mostly sunny day with the temperature in the high 60s. In the evening, there is a chance of rain, as well as cloudiness and a drop to the mid-50s. In effect until May 26 (Memorial Day). The latest Metro news N.J. Transit riders are warned to prepare for a strike New Jersey Transit had an ominous message for the 70,000 commuters who take its trains into New York City every day: The trains may not be running in two weeks. Negotiations with the union representing train engineers have been strained, and the engineers could go on strike on May 16. The transit agency said it was prepared to substitute buses for some of its trains on weekdays. But Kris Kolluri, the new chief executive of New Jersey Transit, said that the buses, which would pick up passengers at four 'park and ride' lots around the state, could accommodate only about 20 percent of the riders who normally take New Jersey Transit trains. He then made a suggestion that might not please bosses who have been telling work-from-home employees to get back to their desks: 'Those folks who have the ability to work from home during the strike should plan to do so.' My colleague Patrick McGeehan writes that Kolluri has been trying for weeks to work out a new contract with the Brotherhood of Locomotive Engineers and Trainmen, which represents about 460 workers. The two sides announced last month that they had reached a deal, but on April 15, rank-and-file engineers voted it down. That started a 30-day countdown to a May 16 strike deadline. May 16 is a Friday. The agency said that if the engineers walked off their jobs, commuters should use the rail system for 'essential purposes only' and work from home if they possibly could. The contingency plan for bus service would go into effect the following Monday, if the strike had not been settled by then. Kolluri said that announcing the plan was not a negotiating tactic. Although negotiations resumed on Wednesday and are expected to continue next week, Kolluri did not sound hopeful. Last week he rescinded the agency's previous offer, which he said would have provided annual salaries of $172,000 on average, up from about $135,000 now. He said that the engineers' current demand of a 14 percent wage increase would cost taxpayers and New Jersey Transit $1.363 billion between July 2025 and June 2030, $684 million more than the contract proposal the union members rejected two weeks ago. Union officials said that the contract they were seeking would cost the agency only about $250 million. They maintain that New Jersey Transit engineers are underpaid compared with engineers on the two commuter railroads run by the Metropolitan Transportation Authority in New York. Loose change Dear Diary: It was the 1980s, and we were going to visit relatives in Manhattan. I had read that the fare boxes on the buses did not take dollar bills. You had to have quarters to pay the fare. So before we left for the visit, I went to the bank and got a $10 roll of quarters. While we were in the city, we got on a Fifth Avenue bus near Central Park to go to Greenwich Village. I paid my fare and my husband's. People kept coming on the bus and asking other passengers for change for a dollar. I made change for four people. The man sitting in front of me turned around to face me. 'What are you?' he asked. 'Some sort of good Samaritan or something?' — Marlene Hellman Illustrated by Agnes Lee. Send submissions here and read more Metropolitan Diary here. Glad we could get together here. See you tomorrow. — J.B. P.S. Here's today's Mini Crossword and Spelling Bee. You can find all our puzzles here. Stefano Montali and Ed Shanahan contributed to New York Today. You can reach the team at nytoday@ Sign up here to get this newsletter in your inbox.
Time Out
30-04-2025
- Entertainment
- Time Out
A list of all the free flower shows you can visit in NYC right now
At long last, New York City is in bloom. Fragrant lilacs, colorful tulips and perfectly pink cherry blossoms have burst forth after a brutal winter. To celebrate the season, expert florists have wrangled spring blooms into incredible displays across the city. From outdoor flower gardens to indoor floral installations, here are all the free flower shows to see in New York City right now, along with tips to make the most of each experience. 1. When: Through May 4 Where: Hudson Yards Purple orchids, white lilies, brown magnolia leaves, blue delphiniums and more have been transformed into magnificent floral creations depicting the sumptuous clothing of television series Downtown Abbey. More than a dozen local florists showcased their creativity by crafting stunning floral mannequins for the latest Fleurs de Villes exhibition at Hudson Yards. Even if you're not a fan of the TV show, this free exhibition is definitely worth seeing while it's on view through May 4. Each display is made of fresh flowers and botanicals. As Fleurs de Villes co-founder Karen Marshall says, "This is perishable art. Perishable art is must-see art." Time Out tip: To highlight the show, Hudson Yards is offering special deals, floral-themed tastings and bouquet workshops. Here's the full list of activations. 2. Macy's Flower Show When: Through May 18 Where: Macy's Herald Square An annual rite of spring, this year's Macy's Flower Show, titled "Floral Dreams Unfold," is now on view. The show begins outside the store with the retailer's signature windows, each one featuring lush floral displays alongside this season's fashions. The journey continues inside, where you'll be met with swirling floral spirals, a shimmery beanstalk decoration and topiary chameleons. As you continue through the store, look for a dragonfly display, a tribute to bees and a cool digital installation. Time Out tip: This is a popular one, so be prepared for crowds. The store opens at 10am daily, so you might want to get there early. 3. When: Through Labor Day Where: Madison Square Park Find some peace in Madison Square Park as you walk along a meditative spiral pathway aptly dubbed Gardens of Renewal. Located across the park's Redbud and Sparrow Lawns, the new path is a beautifully landscaped spiral that invites reflection while highlighting the political urgency of the climate crisis. Along the walk, you'll encounter a planting palette made up of increasingly rare—and nearly disappearing—native species. Artist Lily Kwong (you may remember her from her gorgeous orchid show a few years ago) collaborated with the Madison Square Park Conservancy to create the destination. Time Out tip: There's a QR code on site that you can scan to hear a meditation designed by sound practitioner Sandra Sears. The audio clip is meant to unfold over the duration of your perusal of the spiral. 4. When: Through early May Where: West Side Community Garden Tulips in a rainbow of colors have made their seasonal debut at the West Side Community Garden, a hidden oasis of springtime splendor. The garden is home to more than 10,000 tulips in every color and variety imaginable. Pink, yellow, red, purple and orange tulips—plus a few cool multi-color blooms—fill the garden's raised beds. As for varieties, see if you can spot the differences between parrots, darwins and triumphs—all different types of tulips. Enter through a wrought iron gate on West 89th Street between Amsterdam and Columbus Avenues to find the secret garden, open daily from dawn 'til dusk. The flowers are at the end of their blooming season, but you can still catch them if you get there soon! Time Out tip: Though it's free to visit, the garden is fully volunteer-run and could benefit from a donation if you're able to. 5. Cherry blossoms When: Through early May Where: All across NYC Part of what makes cherry blossom season so special is its fleeting nature. So, while the blooms are still around, go find som and snap a few photos to remember them by when those blustery, cold NYC days return. Cherry blossoms are in bloom all across the city, from Central Park to Green-Wood Cemetery to Brooklyn Botanic Garden and more. Here's our full list of where to find them. Time Out tip: The Central Park Conservancy launched a cherry blossom map and Brooklyn Botanic Garden maintains a CherryWatch map so you can track the buds before you head out for a walk. Be sure to treat the trees kindly and don't disturb nature when you're going in for that close-up video.
Time Out
28-04-2025
- Entertainment
- Time Out
Photos: A first look inside the dreamy 2025 Macy's Flower Show
Fragrant lilies, puffy hydrangeas and vibrant mums have been combined to create a dreamy floral escape inside Macy's Herald Square location. An annual rite of spring, this year's Macy's Flower Show, titled "Floral Dreams Unfold," is now on view through May 18. The show begins outside the store with the retailer's signature windows. Each one features lush floral displays, alongside this season's fashions. Then, the journey continues inside, where you'll be met with swirling floral spirals, a shimmery beanstalk decoration and topiary chameleons. As you continue through the store, look for a dragonfly display, a tribute to bees and a cool digital installation. Find the show at 151 W 34th Street, between Sixth and Seventh Avenues. The destination is free to visit, so be prepared for crowds. Here's a sneak peek at some of the most beautiful installations. Macy's Flower Show 2025 in photos
Miami Herald
20-04-2025
- Business
- Miami Herald
Popular stores shutting down for Easter shopping blackout 2025
The spring season has begun, which means flowers are blooming, the weather is warming up, more sunny days are upon us, and Easter festivities are only a few days away. As those who celebrate know, Easter Sunday falls on April 20 this year. This is the same day as the Easter shopping blackout - shopaholics' most dreaded day, since many stores shut down. Don't miss the move: Subscribe to TheStreet's free daily newsletter Because Easter is widely celebrated in the U.S., many stores tend to close so employees can spend quality time with their loved ones. Related: National clothing retailer makes key change after bankruptcy If your family bonding time or favorite hobby involves shopping on the weekends, this day might be difficult to navigate. It can get hard to keep track of all retailers' operation hours, especially when some are not updated or accurate. To make your life easier, here's a list of all the major retailers closing on April 20. Image source: Getty Images Macy's (M) knows how to throw a holiday extravaganza, from its annual Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade to its option-filled Christmas shopping selection to the Macy's Flower Show in New York City. It's almost hard to believe that this iconic retailer that thrives on holiday shopping would join the blackout on April 20. Unfortunately, if you want a last-minute pastel outfit for Easter brunch or a tea set to adorn the kitchen table before the guests arrive, Saturday, April 19 will be the last day to make any Macy's runs before Easter Sunday. If you are missing an ingredient or two, make sure to do all your in-bulk grocery shopping for the Easter feast before April 20, because all Sam's Club (WMT) locations will be closed on Easter Sunday. In case you were thinking of heading to Costco (COST) to buy one of the huge, delicious cakes from the bakery section and a nice bottle of wine or five before heading to Grandma's house, you might want to start thinking of a second option. Costco locations will not be open on April 20. Related: Discount retail chain takes aim at Walmart, Target Most savvy shopping addicts know nothing is better than finding a great deal. TJ Maxx (TJX) is the worst-kept secret to looking stylish while on a budget. More Retail News: Starbucks' pricing plan, profitability could be impacted by tariffsNew Taco Bell menu items combines multiple classicsHow to eat free at Disney World this summer (and even more) However, if you were thinking of heading to TJ Maxx on the morning of Easter Sunday because you have nothing to wear, it's time to get creative. This retailer will not be open on April 20. In case Marshalls was also on your list of places to shop for an affordable last-minute Easter Sunday outfit, unfortunately, this retailer will not be opening its doors on April 20. It's better to plan a few outfits ahead of time or even the day before to avoid any potential mishaps. Target (TGT) is truly an addicting place due to its wide range of product offerings, including apparel, food, electronics, beauty, and even furniture, all of which can be found in one place. Because of all the variety, it's hard not to want to head to the nearest Target to make a few impulsive buys on April 20 before the Easter celebrations begin. While this retailer will not be open on Sunday, it will be open the day before to fulfill consumers' shopping needs. Related: Veteran fund manager unveils eye-popping S&P 500 forecast The Arena Media Brands, LLC THESTREET is a registered trademark of TheStreet, Inc.
