NEW YORK — For better or worse, traffic at the stores around Manhattan will be impacted by Pope Francis’ visit today through Saturday in New York.
But the occasion is likely to keep shoppers clear of stores. Throughout Midtown, police sirens flashed and blared Thursday afternoon. Along Madison Avenue, New York Police Department officers encouraged pedestrians and drivers to keep moving. Even on West 41st Street — 10 blocks away from St. Patrick’s Cathedral where the pope will officiate at a mass tonight — delivery trucks and hot dog vendors were being told to clear the area three hours before his arrival. Such safety measures were being taken even though the pontiff’s motorcade planned to access Fifth Avenue via 66th Street, according to one NYPD policeman.
Related Articles
A/X Armani Exchange’s Fifth Avenue store had seen a scant number of shoppers Thursday afternoon, which was not surprising given the fact it took employees about 30 minutes to clear the neighborhood’s security checks and navigate the pope-related detours. With limited access to the company’s 51st Street location, staffers, along with other area workers, had to use 57th Street, 53rd Street and other designated routes to get to their respective businesses, said assistant manager Taylor Corbett. “Here’s the thing — you can’t cross Fifth Avenue at all, and you can’t walk up or down it,” he said. “We were told that between 6 and 7 tonight, there will be no foot traffic at all allowed.”
You May Also Like
Needless to say, shoppers were facing similar deterrents. “It’s been a slow day,” he said.
Saks Fifth Avenue could also be among the retailers most affected. Whether traffic swells or shrivels inside the stores, so goes sales volumes.
Historically, retailers complain when barricades are put up along Fifth Avenue to control crowds, for parades, visiting dignitaries or other special events, and for such occasions, luxury shoppers tend to stay clear of the stores. Security and crowd control measures generally impede shopping, even as crowds thicken on the streets.
Saks entrances on Fifth Avenue will be closed during the pope’s visit but the flagship’s entrances on the 49th and 50th Street sides of the store are remaining open.
“We don’t know, but we are optimistic,” said a Saks spokeswoman, when asked how the pope’s visit could impact business. “Everybody is excited by the pope’s visit to the city. Our teams are in place. There is security all around. We are the safest place in the city. We will have a big management presence and we are looking forward to seeing the customers.” There are no changes in Saks store hours.
Macy’s planned to maintain normal business hours in its Philadelphia Center City store and at its Herald Square flagship in Manhattan. The pope will say mass for 20,000 at Madison Square Garden Friday night, two blocks away from Macy’s.
Macy’s does see a sales opportunity springing from the pope’s visit. “For our Macy’s Center City store, we have increased the merchandise assortment for travelers who are coming in for the papal visit,” said a Macy’s spokeswoman. For those travelers lining up to see the pope, there will be more sun products, sunglasses, rain ponchos, boots, umbrellas, shawls, comfort shoes, totes and cross-body handbags, basic replenishment items like underwear, socks, towels, Vatican-inspired jewelry and Waterford crystal crosses.”
The Macy’s Philadelphia store will have performances on the famous Wanamaker Organ at noon and 2 p.m. on Saturday and Sunday, while store hours will be abbreviated from Friday through Sunday.
On Friday, the pope will be traveling from his Upper East Side accommodations to address 170 world leaders at the United Nations’ General Assembly, followed by a trip to the 9/11 Memorial and Museum downtown before a late afternoon visit to Our Lady Queen of the Angels School in East Harlem. En route to Madison Square Garden, the pope mobile will cruise past 80,000-plus ticketed fans in Central Park. By Saturday, the gridlock and traffic delays should ease, since the pope will be jetting off to Philadelphia.
Ralph Lauren, whose flagship is on 72nd Street and Madison Avenue, remained open today and will be open Friday. The store is near to where the pope is staying on East 72nd Street, which is completely blocked off to traffic by barricades. “Traffic around the area is being impacted this afternoon with security checkpoints, but the team is in place to ensure customers are attended to,” said a Ralph Lauren spokesman.