F. A. O. Schwarz to Close on Fifth Avenue May 16 2015
F. A. O. Schwarz, the toy store on Fifth Avenue, will close its doors July 15, a victim of rising rents and ultraluxury retailing in New York City’s hottest shopping district. It’s the last remaining location of the iconic toy brand. While the company seeks another location, a line of toys bearing the FAO Schwarz name will be sold in Toys “R” Us .
FAO Schwarz started in 1862 and has moved several times since then, including a stop in Manhattan’s Union Square. Toys “R” Us purchased FAO Schwarz in 2009. At the time, it had a store in Las Vegas that was in the process of closing when Toys “R” Us made the acquisition.