Business

Saks has big history in South Florida. The retail chain now has money issues

By Miami Herald Archives

Saks is facing a financial crisis. The luxury department store chain, with a big presence and history in South Florida, has filed for bankruptcy protection.

The process can be a long one as court, creditors and company sort out the details. The move doesn’t mean Saks will close stores, but that is a possibility based on other chains with money issues. South Florida has lost some Macy’s and Sears stores, along with a few old favorites, Burdines and Jordan Marsh.

Saks Global said in a statement that it’s “evaluating its operational footprint to invest resources where it has the greatest long-term potential.”

Saks Fifth Avenue’s history in South Florida stretches back to 1928, when the company opened a three-story department store on Lincoln Road. The location thrived five decades, but closed shop in 1979 as Lincoln Road business dropped. But by that time, Saks had moved into the Bal Harbour Shops and started to set out to expand elsewhere in the region.

Today, Saks locations, including the outlet store Saks Off Fifth, dot South Florida.

Here is a look at the department store’s presence in the area:

Saks Fifth Avenue locations in South Florida

Saks Fifth Avenue at Bal Harbour Shops.
Saks Fifth Avenue at Bal Harbour Shops. Patrick Farrell Miami Herald File
  • Bal Harbour, 9700 Collins Ave.
  • Boca Raton, 5800 Glades Rd.
  • Brickell, 81 SE Eighth St.
  • Dadeland, 7687 North Kendall Dr.
  • Palm Beach Gardens, 3109 PGA Blvd.

Saks Off 5th locations in South Florida

Sale signs at Saks Off 5th store at Sawgrass Mills mall in Sunrise.
Sale signs at Saks Off 5th store at Sawgrass Mills mall in Sunrise. Al Diaz Miami Herald File
  • Dolphin Mall, 11201 NW 12th St.
  • Sawgrass Mills, 12801 W. Sunrise Blvd.
  • Aventura, 18701 Biscayne Blvd.
  • West Palm Beach, 1801 Palm Beach Lakes Blvd.
  • Boca Raton, 8903 Glades Rd.

Saks through the years in South Florida

Models at Saks in Bal Harbour.
Models at Saks in Bal Harbour. C.W. Griffin Miami Herald File
Window washers work on the Saks in Dadeland Mall in the early 1980s.
Window washers work on the Saks in Dadeland Mall in the early 1980s. Bob East Miami Herald File
In 1997, a makeup counter at Saks Fifth Ave store in Bal Harbour.
In 1997, a makeup counter at Saks Fifth Ave store in Bal Harbour. Jon Kral Miami Herald File
In 2003, Saks Fifth Avenue in Bal Harbour hosted a kickoff party for the fundraiser Key to the Cure.
In 2003, Saks Fifth Avenue in Bal Harbour hosted a kickoff party for the fundraiser Key to the Cure. Miami Herald File
A worker hustles to get Saks Fifth Avenue store ready for its grand opening at the Brickell City Centre in downtown Miami on Nov. 1, 2016
A worker hustles to get Saks Fifth Avenue store ready for its grand opening at the Brickell City Centre in downtown Miami on Nov. 1, 2016 C.M. Guerrero Miami Herald File
In 1999, people at a trunk show at Saks Fifth Avenue in Bal Harbour.
In 1999, people at a trunk show at Saks Fifth Avenue in Bal Harbour. Chuck Fadely Miami Herald File
Rick Seminara, the manager or Saks on Lincoln Road in South Beach in the 1970s.
Rick Seminara, the manager or Saks on Lincoln Road in South Beach in the 1970s. Bob East Miami Herald File
The Designer Dress Salon at the Saks Fifth Avenue store on Lincoln Road in, Miami Beach. The Japanese look was inspired by the house in the garden of the Museum of Modern Art in New York City. Adam L. Gimbel, president of Saks, visited the house and was impressed by its simple elegance. He asked the firm of Leavitt, Henshell and Kawai, New York, to duplicate it with the help of two Japanese craftsmen, Roy Mitsuto and Nao Oshiro. St the time, an expansion program of the Lincoln Road store added a second story to the building and increased store dimensions by 66%. Cost of alterations approximated $400,000.
The Designer Dress Salon at the Saks Fifth Avenue store on Lincoln Road in, Miami Beach. The Japanese look was inspired by the house in the garden of the Museum of Modern Art in New York City. Adam L. Gimbel, president of Saks, visited the house and was impressed by its simple elegance. He asked the firm of Leavitt, Henshell and Kawai, New York, to duplicate it with the help of two Japanese craftsmen, Roy Mitsuto and Nao Oshiro. St the time, an expansion program of the Lincoln Road store added a second story to the building and increased store dimensions by 66%. Cost of alterations approximated $400,000. Miami Herald File
Get unlimited digital access
#ReadLocal

Try 1 month for $1

CLAIM OFFER