A Saturday, March 7, Forbes article on Saks Global LLC’s bankruptcy restructuring – designed to retain the vendors it needs for its luxe operations – declared Neiman Marcus the winner as the group’s new lead brand.
Tell that to the folks at Neiman Marcus in The Westchester mall, White Plains, which will close May 31, though it may be sooner, along with two other Neiman Marcus locations and 12 Saks Fifth Avenue locations nationwide. This after an earlier move to ax nine full-price stores and more than 60 off-price locations, including Saks Off Fifth in Eastchester, which closes March 28; and Saks Off Fifth in Greenburgh, which shuttered Feb. 2.
The new round of closings has no effect on the Manhattan flagships for Saks Fifth Avenue and sister store Bergdorf Goodman, which are as much tourist attractions, with pricey restaurants offering commanding midtown views, as they are retail destinations. (The Neiman Marcus location at Hudson Yards closed in 2019.)
Nor do the closings have any bearing on The Saks Shops at Greenwich, a group of four stores that help anchor tony Greenwich Avenue, (although its 10022-SHOE is actually on Elm Street).
But the closing of Neiman Marcus Westchester will matter to the economy and identity of the county with which it has been closely associated since the approximately 143,000-square foot store opened its doors in 1981. (Before that, the space was occupied by a branch of its sister brand, Bergdorf Goodman, which opened here in the early 1970s.)
First and foremost, there is the loss of employment for those at Neiman Marcus Westchester, including its signature Mariposa restaurant, along with questions of how the Simon Property Group – operator and co-owner of The Westchester – will fill the four-floor store and what, if any, effect this will have on the mall’s more than 140 stores and eateries.
Calls to Simon and Neiman Marcus have not been returned.
But there is also the irony of Westchester, one of the wealthiest counties in the nation, being Saks-less and now – thanks to Saks’ acquisition of Neiman Marcus, financed with debt, which precipitated the bankruptcy of the resulting Saks Global – the loss of Neiman Marcus, another luxury brand.
“We’re disappointed to see Neiman Marcus closing its location at The Westchester,” said Deputy Westchester County Executive Joan McDonald. “The store has been a longstanding presence in White Plains and part of the region’s retail landscape for many years. At the same time, this reflects broader changes in the retail industry, rather than a lack of economic strength in Westchester County. Our county remains one of the most affluent and economically dynamic regions in the country, with strong consumer spending, vibrant downtowns and continued investment in retail, hospitality and mixed-use development.
“We will continue working with the city of White Plains, property owners and our economic development partners to ensure that The Westchester and the surrounding downtown remain a premier destination for shopping, dining and entertainment. Westchester’s market fundamentals remain very strong, and we are confident the space will attract new investment and exciting opportunities in the future.”
Added Marsha Gordon, DPS, president and CEO of The Business Council of Westchester, “The news of the closing of Neiman Marcus at The Westchester mall certainly marks the closing of a chapter in the region’s high-end retail community and opportunities to shop in person. We certainly all appreciated shopping at Neiman Marcus over the years and will miss their presence.
“Retail continues to evolve rapidly, and moments like this remind us of the importance of innovation, adaptability and forward-looking partnerships. The Business Council of Westchester, as always, remains deeply committed to supporting the rapidly evolving retail sector as it transforms to meeting the demands of a more experiential economy.”
Among the stores that may be filling the void left by Neiman Marcus Westchester are Nordstrom, The Westchester’s other anchor store, and Bloomingdale’s, within walking distance of The Westchester on Bloomingdale Road.
“Bloomingdale’s comparable sales were up 8.8% on an owned basis and 9.0% on an O+L+M basis, the highest in 13 quarters,” reported Macy’s Inc., which owns the brand.
The 59th Street flagship is getting an extensive makeover in its designer ready-to-wear and luxury leather goods and shoes departments, while the brand leverages prestige clothing, accessories, home goods and beauty products in its 55 locations; adds 15 stores, mainly curated capsule locations, and strengthens its VIC (Very Important Client) teams.
Nordstrom, now owned by El Puerto de Liverpool, has seen its sales rise 6% from September 2025 through January 2026. It’s developing 125th anniversary collaborations with Chanel, Christian Louboutin, Manolo Blahnik and Tory Burch for exclusive products; revitalizing its personal shopping experiences, expanding its “Collectors” and designer accessory departments and even integrating high-end brands into off-price Nordstrom Rack stores, which include a location in White Plains’ City Center. Through Sunday, March 15, Nordstrom at The Westchester is hosting a “Skinfluence Beauty Trend Event.”
Experts see an opportunity for both Bloomingdale’s and Nordstrom to fill a particular luxury void.
“They’ve positioned themselves as approachable luxury, and that is the gateway to greater luxury,” said stylist and personal shopper Michele Roque, founder and owner of Pelham Manor-based You Can Do Better Than That.
Roque, who worked for legendary personal shopper Betty Halbreich during her years at Bergdorf Goodman, has seen a devolution in statement clothing.
“There’s a real space in the marketplace for sophisticated occasion dresses,” she added. “Bloomingdale’s and Nordstrom could really capture this lost customer.”
With those two retailers hot on its heels, Saks Global is reimagining itself as a complement of Saks and Neiman Marcus stores, with Neiman in the vanguard — a case, Forbes said, of the tail wagging the dog.
Neiman Marcus Westchester just won’t be part of the pack.
