F.A.O. is D.O.A.

Had a nice visit with the nephews earlier in the week - had lunch at Rockefeller Center, took in some of the stores on Fifth Avenue like The NBA Store and The Disney Store but have to say we were incredibly disappointed with F.A.O. Schwarz.

One of my nephews had magical memories of the store when he was there years ago but it was nowhere near magical when we got there. First of all, it was completely overshadowed by the glistening new Apple Store. Next, there was one lone soldier standing guard. And once we entered - no music, not a lot of employees helping out, few products, sparse decoration, etc. It was a fascinating case study of how businesses can go awry but sort of depressing to see a once heralded children's toy store reduced to a mere shell of its once glorious self.