Retail Therapy: Downtown Neiman Marcus Zodiac Refreshed, Clothes Circuit Sold, Saint Laurent Is Back

When Neiman Marcus opened its new store in New York City's Hudson Yards in March with a Zodiac restaurant, the retailer's executive chef Kevin Garvin said the downtown Dallas location would be getting a refresh to stack up.Turns out, the sixth floor restaurant at the corner of Main and Ervay streets has some great bones. Wood paneling and original mirrored columns hidden behind wallboard and opaque glass have been exposed as part of a new palette of ocean blue turquoise walls and chairs. New modern artwork hangs on the wall and the center aisle for the first time has a display of merchandise and mannequins.Other restaurants in Scottsdale, Bal Harbor and Tysons Corner in Virginia and Troy, Michigan are getting refreshed too, but the Zodiac name is now exclusive to NYC and Dallas.White tablecloth dining in department stores was a mainstay of flagship downtown locations of a bygone era, but upscale department stores have stuck with the idea. Luxury shoppers expect it, Garvin said."It's all about the experience and we have more than 60 years of restaurant business under our belt," Garvin said while showing off the new Zodiac. Restaurant operations represent a small percentage of Neiman Marcus' overall sales, but, Garvin said, it's a profitable business.   Continue reading...