The head coaches of the Bloomingdale High School basketball girls and boys programs along with student athletes from both teams will host summer camps at the high school for students entering grades four through nine in session one and seven through nine in session two Bloomingdale girls basketball Head Coach Joel Bower has been hosting these camps since he started with the program 14 years ago “We are excited about hosting our youth camps again this summer and the opportunity to work with the next generation of basketball players in our area,” said Bower Camp sessions weeks one (June 16-19) and two (June 23-26) will be held Monday through Thursday Campers from beginner to advanced are all welcome Everybody will participate in daily skills drills and three-on-three and five-on-five contests Boys basketball Head Coach David Maciejewski taught elementary school for 13 years before his family moved to Florida so he relishes working with young athletes “I really enjoy working with the youth in the community and the best part of camp is when you see the light bulb moment or you watch something click for a kid that has been working on a skill all week,” said Maciejewski the priority is for each camper to have fun and learn in a safe environment Emphasis will be placed on the improvements of fundamental skills and sportsmanship They may arrive as early as 30 minutes before their session begins Concessions and the camp bank will be available “One of the fun things to see is watching our high school athletes teach and work with young basketball players It makes me laugh when I hear them repeat things they hear the coaches say in practice,” said Maciejewski For more information, email Bower (joel.bower@hcps.net) or Maciejewski (david.maciejewski@hcps.net) or call 813-299-5072 I would like to receive emails from Osprey Observer What's Hot: 262-Unit Development With 'Main Street' Retail Pitched For Columbia Pike by UrbanTurf Staff ✉️ Want to forward this article? Click here we highlight a pair of four-bedrooms in Bloomingdale that found buyers in about a week or less.  Just Over A Week For A Bloomingdale Four-Bedroom  This four-bedroom Victorian along Seaton Place spent just over a week on the market before going under contract with contingencies It has a very cool main level that features vintage-inspired tile in the entryway a kitchen with raw brass light fixtures and classic shaker cabinets there are three bedrooms and two full baths as well as restored transom windows with new stained glass and a skylight  A finished basement features a living area Four Days For A Four-Bedroom Around The Corner From The Hen Like many renovated properties in the neighborhood this four-bedroom rowhome near The Red Hen does a good job of weaving new improvements with original charm And a buyer took notice as it was under contract after just four days on the market heart pine flooring and pocket doors are still intact while modern additions like a top-floor primary suite with a walk-out terrace have the owner's touch there is a studio apartment with a full kitchen that could help offset the mortgage.  This article originally published at https://dc.urbanturf.com/articles/blog/under_contract_the_bloomingdale_edition/23467 Questions about real estate in DC, VA or MD? Email us UrbanTurf Listings showcases the DC metro area's best properties available for sale The huge DC news of the week is that the Washington Commanders are going to build a n... read » Plans to redevelop a strip mall along the thoroughfare are back in the works after a ... read » Today, UrbanTurf checks in on the status of the development pipeline over in Congress... read » The new 230-room citizenM hotel is expected to open at the beginning of 2026.... read » Dubbed the Stratford House, the property had not been listed for sale in decades prio... read » Virginia's homebuyer assistance programs can seem complex. This edition of First-Time... read » In April, UrbanTurf looked at programs in the District that help homebuyers defray ... read » In this article, UrbanTurf looks at the estimated annual maintenance costs associated... read » In this article, UrbanTurf will explain what special assessments are, how they work, ... read » The center for the Washington Capitals is listing the 16,000 square-foot home for jus... read » With this weekend's DC houseboat tour a day away, UrbanTurf thought it only fitting t... read » President Obama travels to Denver this morning to sign the stimulus bill that has bee... read » In this week's installment of Ask An Agent, a reader wonders if there is a rule for h... read » As The Wharf prepares to begin construction, DC's houseboat community heads to its ne... read » In this week's installment of Ask An Agent, a reader asks a fairly common question th... read » Short guides to navigating the DC-area real estate market We've collected all our helpful guides for buying, selling and renting in and around Washington, DC in one place. Start browsing below! Awesome and unusual real estate from across the DC Metro This website is using a security service to protect itself from online attacks. The action you just performed triggered the security solution. There are several actions that could trigger this block including submitting a certain word or phrase, a SQL command or malformed data. You can email the site owner to let them know you were blocked. Please include what you were doing when this page came up and the Cloudflare Ray ID found at the bottom of this page. Pre-trial release was denied a Chicago woman accused of leading police on a chase from Bloomingdale to Lombard after an alleged retail theft Friday by her passenger. The chase also caused a three-way crash that sent one person to the hospital. Saturday in Wheaton, Judge Michael Burton granted state’s motion to detain Autumn Provine, 21, of the 2300 block of W. 111th Place, Chicago. She was charged with one felony count of fleeing and eluding police and 19 misdemeanor and petty traffic offenses. Co-defendant Frank Cerda, 30, of the 3600 block of S. Hamilton Drive, Chicago, was charged with a felony for retail theft. He was released on the condition he doesn’t enter any Best Buy store, according to the DuPage County state’s attorney’s office. At about 6:12 p.m. Friday, Bloomingdale police responded to a report of a theft in progress at Best Buy, 352 W. Army Trail Road. They learned Cerda had taken a hair dryer, two cameras, and film, worth about $622, left the store and got into a Lexus RX300 driven by Provine, officials said. After seeing the Lexus on Army Trail Road near Gladstone Drive, Bloomingdale police tried to pull the car over, but the driver instead sped up to about 55 mph in a 25 mph zone, officials said. Police were able to deflate a tire using a spike strip, but Provine kept driving east on Army Trail Road, then turned south onto Glen Ellyn Road, according to officials. Bloomingdale police ended their pursuit, which was picked up by Glen Ellyn police. They located the Lexus and attempted another traffic stop without success. At about 6:33 p.m., Lombard police said Provine was involved in a three-vehicle crash at Main Street and Roosevelt Road, Lombard. One person was taken to the hospital. At this point, officials said, Provine and Cerda left the Lexus and went inside the Jewel-Osco, 1177 S. Main St., Lombard, where police found them in bathrooms and took them into custody. By selecting a scent that takes Mom's predilections for rose or aquatic or vanilla notes to an unexpectedly delightful place Step one: bypass fragrances that are commonly given as gifts (such as that santal scent that floods every fancy hotel's lobby) Step two: consider her most beloved memories or experiences Because scent activates the same part of the brain as emotional memory sunny days playing as a kid or dressing in a cashmere-filled closet can capture a mood like joy and warmth in an instant — something Mom will always be grateful for find ten ways to tap into Mom's emotional center Bloomingdale'sCarolina Herrera Very Good Girl Eau de ParfumCarolina Herrera Very Good Girl Eau de Parfum ($170) There are countless interpretations of rose in the world of fragrance, many of which veer into an old-fashioned territory that can read more powdery or cloying than a modern mom might like. Not this version, which highlights the famous flower's fresh notes by pairing it with juicy lychee, grassy vetiver, and a wisp of grounding vanilla for a scent that's far more jammy and joyful than its femme fatale falcon would suggest. Remember play-filled days when senses were heightened by sticks of Fruit Stripe gum, pool towels drying in the sun, and soapy baths? So does perfumer Francis Kurkdjian, who captured the wholesome smells of his inner child for his latest launch (named after his childhood nickname no less). The combination of scents might seem questionable, but on skin, it plays out like good, clean (and fruity) fun. Dominated by tobacco and cushioned by amber and a touch of ginger, this spicy new release will resonate with lovers of heady scents. It contains a mighty 20 percent concentration of fragrance oils and carries impressive longevity for the price point, thanks in part to novel tech that extends wear through controlled evaporation of molecules. No matter how fancy the tech inside, fragrance is about feeling and this one is declaratively seductive and plush, ideal for the power player in your family. If Mom cut her teeth on fruity florals that dominated the pop star-fronted fragrances of Y2K, then this sophisticated and grown-up take on the genre is bound to become her new signature. The fragrance has earned its cult following with a bright opening of lychee and peppercorn that develops into a pulled-together and pretty bouquet of rose and peony — you know, the kind that commands top-tier pricing at bougie floral shops. Consider it an olfactory take on the moody cherry red aesthetic that's trending in design. This fragrance showcases rose at its center, but musk, vanilla, and plum give the classic floral scent a twist that nimbly touches on fruity and spicy elements while remaining light. It's an excellent choice for moms looking for a fruity-floral fragrance without a hint of adolescent sweetness. Donna Karan is known for bringing sophisticated bodysuits But the longtime yogi also introduced the philosophy of "urban zen" living something that effortlessly merges holistic wellness with chic sophistication The notion is perfectly captured in this 1990s fragrance that evokes wood-lined dry saunas The result is a warm hug of a scent that transcends masculinity and femininity — and never goes out of style (WLNE) — Pawtucket police are investigating a now fatal shooting that occurred Tuesday night According to the Pawtucket Police Department, officers responded to calls of shots fired at 5:45 p.m. Tuesday in the area of Bloomingdale Avenue and Humboldt Avenue Arriving officers observed an adult male suffering from apparent gunshot wounds and the victim was transported to a local hospital where he was later pronounced deceased The shooting appears to be a targeted incident and detectives will be investigating the incident further Police have said that there is no ongoing threat to the public Mayor Donald Grebien released the following statement on the shooting: Pawtucket experienced the loss of another young adult which occurred in the vicinity of Bloomingdale and Humbolt Avenues is under investigation by the Pawtucket Police Department Anyone with information is encouraged to contact the police department at 401-727-9100 My administration will continue to work closely with the Pawtucket Police Department and community partners like the Institute for Nonviolence to educate our youth about nonviolence and de-escalation techniques to help prevent future senseless acts of gun violence in our city Pawtucket police ask anyone with information in the incident to contact Detective Douglas Harrington at 401-727-9100, ext. 725 or at dharrington@pawtucket police.com. Detective Kyle Juckett is also working the case and can be contacted at 401-727-9100, ext. 700 or at kjuckett@pawtucketpolice.com Jonathan Santora of the Bengals runs the ball in Friday evening's 9/11 Flag Football game against the Seahawks at Bloomingdale Park - (Angela Barca for the Advance/SILive.com) ABAB .st1{fill-rule:evenodd;clip-rule:evenodd;fill:#2a2a2a}By Angela Barca | For the Advance/SILive.comSTATEN ISLAND -- The 9/11 Flag Football League held games at Bloomingdale Park in Huguenot on a sunny Friday The Killa Beez came out on top over the Mustangs by a final score of 26-19 Big runs, big passes and big defensive plays were the order of the day as the young athletes showcased their talent in front of SILive.com/Advance‘s cameras It’s all part of SILive.com’s and the Advance’s spotlight on youth sports in the borough We will visit leagues like this and snap many photos of your kids with our cameras Check out the gallery below for the best photos of the day 1/989/11 Flag Football players compete on a sunny Friday evening at Bloomingdale ParkSUBSCRIBER BENEFIT: SILive.com is offering a perk exclusively for subscribers: Log in, click on the photo gallery and choose GET PHOTO to download print-quality images free of charge. Note to SILive.com mobile app users: To download high-resolution photos please access this report and gallery from a standard mobile or desktop/laptop web browser Use of and/or registration on any portion of this site constitutes acceptance of our User Agreement, (updated 8/1/2024) and acknowledgement of our Privacy Policy, and Your Privacy Choices and Rights (updated 1/1/2025) © 2025 Advance Local Media LLC. All rights reserved (About Us) The material on this site may not be reproduced except with the prior written permission of Advance Local Community Rules apply to all content you upload or otherwise submit to this site YouTube's privacy policy is available here and YouTube's terms of service is available here Ad Choices Share on FacebookShare on X (formerly Twitter)Share on PinterestShare on LinkedInFORT WAYNE (WPTA) - A spokesperson for the Fort Wayne Parks and Recreation Department says Bloomingdale Park is now closed for repairs to address safety concerns with equipment Work to repair and replace park equipment is expected to last a few months They say work is being done after a portion of the playground was found to be unsafe and was removed a temporary fence has been installed around the playground the globally recognized retail chain known for offering affordable and unique products is excited to announce the grand opening of its latest store in Bloomingdale this store marks a significant milestone in Daiso's U.S "We are thrilled to open our new store in Bloomingdale," said Jack Williams Chief Retail Operations Officer for Daiso USA "This milestone reflects the continued support of our customers and we're excited to introduce Daiso's budget-friendly offerings to the Bloomingdale community We invite everyone to Discover Daiso and explore the variety of products we offer." spans 10,000 square feet and features a wide selection of products across multiple categories Customers can find everything from Japanese-inspired home decor and kitchenware to beauty products Daiso's commitment to providing affordable and unique merchandise has made it a go-to destination for shoppers seeking unique items at great prices "Thanks to the enthusiasm of our loyal customers we're excited to expand in Illinois," said John Clarke "We continue to see growing demand in the region and we're proud to be opening more stores in 2025 With 180 stores now operating across the U.S. we're excited to serve new communities and bring the Daiso experience to even more customers." Daiso will offer exclusive promotions at the Bloomingdale Court location the first 100 customers who make a minimum purchase of $30 will receive a special Daiso goodie bag as a thank-you for their support Store hours will be Monday through Saturday from 9 a.m About Daiso:Daiso is a global retail chain founded in Japan known for its wide selection of unique and affordable products across categories such as household goods market in 2005 and has expanded into multiple states is excited to announce the grand opening of its latest .. Retail Household, Consumer & Cosmetics Corporate Expansion Do not sell or share my personal information: Share on FacebookShare on X (formerly Twitter)Share on PinterestShare on LinkedInEFFINGHAM COUNTY (WTOC) - A crash on Highway 17 and Highway 80 in Bloomingdale involving five vehicles left one woman dead Thursday Deputies responded to the crash on Highway 80 near the intersection of Highway 17 in Bloomingdale just after 7:30 a.m Preliminary information from the Effingham County Sheriff’s Office Traffic Unit indicates five vehicles were involved Deputies with the Traffic Unit began investigating and determined that four of the involved vehicles were stopped at a traffic light when a fully loaded concrete truck struck the rear of the small sedan Deputies say the driver of a car died due to the car being sandwiched between a loaded concrete truck and a another commercial vehicle The victim has been identified as Carly Holubik Anyone with information on this incident is asked to contact the Effingham County Sheriff’s Office Traffic Unit at 912-754-3449 Effingham County School District (ECSD) confirmed that Carly Holubik was a teacher at South Effingham Middle School ECSD describes Holubik as a beloved educator known for her passion for teaching and the care she showed her students They say she was deeply respected and loved by both her students and colleagues Yancy Ford released the following statement: “We are deeply saddened by the tragic loss of Mrs a dedicated 8th-grade teacher who spent the last three years serving the students and staff of South Effingham Middle School Her impact on the lives of those around her will not be forgotten We ask our community to join us in lifting her husband and the entire SEMS faculty and staff in prayer during this difficult time.” Recently, the Bloomingdale Bulls announced the following slate of games for 2025 including two notable contests against Polk County foe Bartow and 2023 Class 2M state champion Berkeley Prep Among other teams on the Bulls' schedule are Blake Riverview and at home against Strawberry Crest Below is the Bulls' 2025 regular season schedule with official regular season game times all to be announced at a late date A post shared by Bloomingdale Football (@bdalefootball) Be sure to Bookmark High School on SI for all of the latest high school football news To get live updates on your phone - as well as follow your favorite teams and top games - you can download the SBLive Sports app: Download iPhone App| Download Android App -- Andy Villamarzo | villamarzo@scorebooklive.com | @highschoolonsi ANDY VILLAMARZOAndy Villamarzo has been a sports writer in the Tampa Bay (FL) Area since 2007 writing for publications such as Tampa Bay Times FL area and started as a writer with SB Live Sports in the summer of 2022 covering the Tampa Bay Area He has quickly become one of Florida's foremost authorities on high school sports radio programs and digital broadcasts as an expert on team rankings © 2025 ABG-SI LLC - SPORTS ILLUSTRATED IS A REGISTERED TRADEMARK OF ABG-SI LLC The content on this site is for entertainment and educational purposes only Betting and gambling content is intended for individuals 21+ and is based on individual commentators' opinions and not that of Sports Illustrated or its affiliates All picks and predictions are suggestions only and not a guarantee of success or profit If you or someone you know has a gambling problem crisis counseling and referral services can be accessed by calling 1-800-GAMBLER Bloomingdale police are warning people to beware after thieves stole almost $100,000 in cryptocurrency scams in the last two weeks The phone calls and emails have targeted senior citizens according to Bloomingdale police Detective Dominick Corsiglia One victim had $63,000 stolen from him and was in the process of sending another $15,000 more when Bloomingdale Public Safety Director Frank Giammarese intervened The scammers have contacted the victims via email and phone Once the scammers get the victims on the phone The thieves stay on the phone with them as they direct the victims to get money go to a cryptocurrency ATM and talk them through how to convert the cash to crypto and send it to them they pretended to be officials from PayPal saying a woman’s account had a $1,000 fraudulent charge She researched PayPal and called the first number that popped up The fraudsters managed to take control of her computer The woman was instructed to withdraw $25,000 from her personal bank account to rectify the issues and regain access to her computer recognized the scam after the woman had put in and sent $24,800 Another elderly resident received an email from an anti-virus software company saying he had been charged a $900 late fee and should call the company The representative told him to send $3,000 to correct the issue The senior then mistakenly sent $30,000 to the account provided They then requested he send additional funds to receive that money back Giammarese intervened and convinced the man not to send an additional $15,000 Other residents have reported receiving requests purportedly coming from Best Buy Geek Squad the Internal Revenue Service and the state tollway they tried to blackmail the victims by saying they would tell the victims’ relatives and friends that the senior citizens were viewing pornography The thieves have told the victims how to answer questions if a bank official asks why they are making a large cash withdrawal The victims are told to say they need the cash for a large purchase such as a home repair or kitchen remodeling There are at least 10 cryptocurrency ATMs renting spaces in businesses in Bloomingdale He said the businesses are not participants in the scams “No one (legitimate) is going to ask you to send cryptocurrency,” Giammarese said Corsiglia said senior citizens should slow down and think before sending money to unknown people and remind them that generosity can be easily manipulated end the conversation and immediately call 911 The FBI reported that in 2024 it received 149,686 complaints about cryptocurrency fraud The AARP has advocated nationwide for state laws that would set a daily cash limit on cryptocurrency ATMs and require machine owners to post signage regarding fraud The Bloomingdale High School girls basketball program has become a juggernaut in Hillsborough County The Lady Bulls have reached the state final four in three of the last four seasons the team won the program’s first basketball state championship in school history “I was just in disbelief,” said head coach Joel Bower “I turned to my assistant coaches and asked Is this really happening?’ It just didn’t seem real I watched the girls celebrate like they hadn’t all year I watched kids cry that I’ve never seen cry My favorite part was watching them enjoy it.” Bloomingdale reached the 6A state championship last season for the first time in team history but fell a little short after going undefeated until that point The four returning players felt that there was some unfinished business Bower said that they went into the last offseason highly motivated to win that one final game Each time in the last three appearances at the final four the team won one more game and went a step closer The Lady Bulls faced some adversity along the way losing four in a row and five out of seven games in the middle of the season against really tough opponents The team put together a more challenging schedule than last season in order to become more battle-tested The strategy paid off with the team winning their last 12 games in a row to finish the season Bower said that it took a little while for the team to gel but they started to put it all together at the start of regionals I just feel like everybody was doing whatever they could to help us win,” said Bower They took it to another level; it was really cool to see.” The team returned four players from last year’s team and had a total of six seniors Seniors Noelle Mengle and Izellah Kendrick have been with the program for the last four seasons and are a part of the winningest class in program history Both players have been a huge key to their team’s success Kendrick has over 1,000 career points and Mengle broke the program record for most career points The duo became the fifth and sixth 1,000-point scorers in team history “This championship was deserved and worked for for years by the players that came before us and created the work ethic and culture that is carried over into our team today,” said Mengle “I hope our championship has created a lasting legacy and impact on the basketball program.” who has coached the program for 14 seasons said that the last four seasons led to the culmination of winning the state championship He said the legacy of these seniors will never be forgotten “They accomplished something that has never been done in school history,” said Bower They’re being treated like royalty right now the celebration is continuing and I’m just enjoying seeing them get all the accolades.”  Share on FacebookShare on X (formerly Twitter)Share on PinterestShare on LinkedInBLOOMINGDALE (WTOC) - The City of Bloomingdale recently signed a contract with Reeves Construction to resurface Little Neck Road The road is being resurfaced towards the Chatham County Line a small section of Little Neck Road from John Carter going south will be reduced to one lane during pavement milling in the road the same section of Little Neck Road will be reduced to one lane due to paving and shoulder operations Drivers are asked to seek alternate routes to lessen the impacts on traffic BLOOMINGDALE — The Bloomingdale neighborhood watch group is formalizing as it prepares to officially launch Members are getting advice from law enforcement about reporting suspected crimes and separating the group from the town government Thomas Forbes and New York State Police Trooper Trevor Symonds were at the group’s second meeting on Jan Armand Town Supervisor Davina Thurston had one major question for them: “What can we do to help you do your jobs?” Forbes said it’s all about community observance — recognizing things that don’t look right and reporting them “Everybody plays a part in the public safety of the community,” Perrotte said The police officers all emphasized that a neighborhood watch group is not about vigilantism despite the group’s many jokes about it They said a group like this is meant to be the eyes and ears for the police They rely on the public to let them know about crime Armand town board began holding meetings on a neighborhood watch as residents say they’ve seen an increase in crime over the past year Thurston said it came from a “culmination” of issues and complaints around town — public drug use Thurston pins the blame on drug addiction She understands the struggles of addiction but said Bloomingdale is a family place and they intend to keep it that way The group is creating a network of vetted volunteers to report suspected crime and has decided to filter information to law enforcement through a chairperson — multiple chairpeople Town Councilman JP O’Neil was worried about overloading them with calls Their job is to sift through all the information and figure out what’s important He added that it’s better to err on the side of caution — to report something that didn’t matter than to not report something that mattered but it takes a while to build a narcotics case If someone from the community provides information that the police doesn’t have that one detail could push an investigation over the edge trail or security cameras they can use to search for footage if there’s a reported crime Perrotte said Bloomingdale residents can register their cameras in this database The SLPD also accepts anonymous tips on its Crimewatch website He also said Bloomingdale residents should call NYSP The members of the public at the meeting decided to move these neighborhood watch meetings away from town board meetings and toward community meetings for two reasons — it gives them more privacy to talk and it keeps the town board out of the group There was a bit of debate over how involved town officials should be in the group O’Neil was adamant that the public should run the group Thurston wanted to be on the neighborhood watch Bloomingdale resident Joe Fisher said this could pose a conflict of interests Thurston said she was struggling with this Several of these incidents have taken place on town property and she’s received death threats over her responses to them Fisher said this is even more reason she should let the public run the group It would be hard for her to not speak for the board And they want to keep the town safe from liability which could be caused by running the neighborhood watch group “I’m going to defer to the group and say this makes sense even though I don’t like it,” Thurston said They agreed to have town Councilman Karl Law as a liaison between the board and the group Bloomingdale resident Scott Gibson asked if anything can be done through code enforcement to go after problem properties The town has new water and sewer regulations making it illegal to live in a camper without access to water and sewer infrastructure Thurston said there was a person who was found sleeping in the pirate ship after doing drugs inside the play area She said it wasn’t the first time this happened They thought about closing the pirate ship but decided to form a neighborhood watch instead The town has cameras installed all over the youth field and monitors them regularly It also has signs at the field saying “no trespassing There’s not a lot of law enforcement in the area — only the State Police and Residents said it can take 30 to 60 minutes for police to get there Now it is a hamlet and cannot have a police force Armand absorbed Bloomingdale’s services in 1985 Several members of the public asked about their self-defense rights if someone tries breaking into their home or they catch them in the act of committing a crime Law enforcement urged members of the public to not confront anyone and call the police instead This is for two reasons — safety and liability They warned against escalating a situation into violence … Your life’s not,” Forbes said They said self-defense in New York is a large “gray area.” New York is a “duty to retreat” state meaning victims of a crime should leave the scene and not fight unless their life itself is in imminent danger Forbes said there’s a fine line between being a victim and becoming a criminal Perrotte said if use of force by a civilian is justified depends largely on the judge and details of the case The details of New York’s self-defense laws can be found in Article 35 of the state penal law at tinyurl.com/8eevvceh Perrotte told them to “be a good witness” — to be aware of their surroundings with details to tell dispatchers and to not wait to report a crime Forbes said it’s all about the details The neighborhood watch will meet next at 6:30 p.m LAKE PLACID — The Barkeater Trails Alliance annual meeting will be on Saturday TUPPER LAKE — The Tupper Lake Town Board is set to hold a special meeting at 2 p.m Copyright © 2025 Adirondack Publishing Company | https://www.adirondackdailyenterprise.com | 54 Broadway Bloomingdale’s is the latest large retailer to close up shop at San Francisco Centre the 1.4-million square-foot mall near the corner of Fifth and Market streets Mission Street entrance to Bloomingdale’s at the San Francisco Centre on Tuesday Escalators from the 4th floor at Bloomingdale’s at the San Francisco Centre on Tuesday San Francisco Centre previously lost its other major anchor tenant and is facing a possible debt auction Bloomingdale’s will soon close its flagship department store in the ailing San Francisco Centre the giant downtown mall that previously lost its other major anchor tenant and is facing a possible debt auction provided a statement Tuesday confirming that the store would close in “late spring” after operating for “nearly two incredible decades” in San Francisco “We are saddened to confirm that Bloomingdale’s will officially close its doors in Union Square “We are hopeful to be back to serve the San Francisco community in the future and look forward to introducing new ways to provide enhanced service to our loyal local shoppers.” The San Francisco Chronicle first reported the Bloomingdale’s closure The news was the latest blow not only for the huge half-empty downtown mall near Fifth and Market streets but also for the Union Square neighborhood which has been marred by widespread vacancies amid changes in retail buying patterns a slow-to-recover tourism market and the cratering of the downtown economy with fewer people working in offices in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic The high vacancy rate for the Union Square area — at 22% in the third quarter of 2024, according to real-estate company Cushman & Wakield — does not even count the potential impact of Macy’s closing its huge store on Union Square itself Former Mayor London Breed said in February that Macy’s was looking to sell the store property the company announced a wave of 150 store closures scheduled to occur through 2026 Newly elected District 3 Supervisor Danny Sauter speaking before the Bloomingdale’s announcement said he had been relieved earlier this month when Macy’s did not include its flagship San Francisco store on a list of 66 sites confirmed for closing in the first quarter of 2025 That list included outlets in Corte Madera “So that’s good news,” Sauter said at the time Newly installed Mayor Daniel Lurie, who has identified downtown revitalization as one of his priorities issued a statement Tuesday calling the Bloomingdale’s announcement “disappointing” but nevertheless sounded a hopeful note but I am confident San Francisco’s best days are ahead,” Lurie said in the statement “There are massive changes happening across the country in retail and we know there’s a lot of work to do in our city.” I’m energized every day by businesses of all sizes opening and growing in our city and we continue to work towards the revitalization of the city,” he said Supervisor Matt Dorsey, whose district includes the Bloomingdale’s, called the planned closure “heartbreaking news” in a post on the social network X He also called for more to be done to stop public drug use in The City “While there’s still cause for optimism about our economic comeback there’s no denying this is a gut punch,” wrote Dorsey who said he was in touch with Lurie’s office to explore options for convincing Bloomingdale’s to reconsider its decision who is worried the district is "getting rid of the heart and soul of the schools." The worth of a typical home in San Francisco has trended differently than peers in other nearby counties  I stepped into the role of superintendent of the San Francisco Unified School District six months ago with a deep sense of responsibility — and an even deeper sense of… “There are a multitude of factors that go into business decisions like this — some beyond our control as a City It’s also true that the preponderance of remote work doesn’t help,” he wrote “But the major factor within San Francisco’s control involves public safety — particularly drug-related disorder,” Dorsey wrote “That’s what’s driving deteriorated street conditions And that’s why ending the phenomenon of public drug use in San Francisco must be a top priority.” International mall operator Unibail-Rodamco-Westfield and global real-estate company Brookfield Asset Management in June 2023 stopped paying debt service on a $558 million loan covering 794,521 square feet of retail and office space at the 1.4-million square-foot mall, according to KBRA Analytics which tracks commercial-property loans tied to investor securities Unibail-Rodamco-Westfield cited unsafe conditions and a lack of law enforcement in the area as the drivers behind poor sales Tuesday’s move came after huge anchor retailer Nordstrom and numerous others had already closed up shop A San Francisco Superior Court judge appointed receiver Gregg Williams of Trident Pacific Real Estate Group to oversee the Centre and he hired the real estate firm JLL to manage the mall with an eye to increasing security and recruiting new tenants Last July, KBRA concluded that the value of the property covered by the defaulted loan had plunged to $221.7 million a partner at the real-estate firm Maven Commercial who has extensive familiarity with Union Square saying that issues with the San Francisco Centre were known She insisted that interest had been growing among retailers in street properties near the square particularly in the luxury quadrant near Post Street and Grant Avenue and on Stockton Street In fact, retailers might be incentivized to look for street frontage, even on Powell Street, where new outlets are expected to open soon for Nintendo of America and the Shoe Palace at the intersection of Geary Street “I don’t think it’s going to be a deterrent,” McEvoy said of the Bloomingdale’s announcement phoge@sfexaminer.com ashanks@sfexaminer.com Email notifications are only sent once a day Your browser is out of date and potentially vulnerable to security risks.We recommend switching to one of the following browsers: Account processing issue - the email address may already exist Ben Pimentel’s new weekly newsletter covering the biggest technology stories in San Francisco Receive our newspaper electronically with the e-edition email Receive occasional local offers from our website and its advertisers Sneak peek of the Examiner real estate section We'll send breaking news and news alerts to you as they happen Invalid password or account does not exist Submitting this form below will send a message to your email with a link to change your password An email message containing instructions on how to reset your password has been sent to the email address listed on your account BLOOMINGDALE — Voters will decide the future of the borough’s schools in a March 11 referendum on whether to close and sell Samuel R Donald Elementary School and expand Walter T Bergen Middle School to house grades one through eight The plan is centered on a $22.6 million bond sale with district officials planning to pay the debt off through an estimated tax increase of about 2% for property owners on top of the Samuel R the resulting project would add 16 classrooms to Walter T renovate 10 existing spaces and create a second gymnasium and a full-service kitchen The redesign also calls for an elementary wing for grades one through five a move that would bring the town's fifth-grade students back to an elementary setting for the first time in more than 20 years The two-story expansion would be fully ADA-compliant with student and faculty restrooms on each level including the relocation of the main office Additional renovations include a new loading dock and a tech lab on the lower level The proposal and resulting referendum follow years of study on how to address the district’s aging infrastructure While the brick schoolhouse with its marble urinals has charm district officials say it is woefully inadequate for educating students The cost to renovate it to modern standards has been pegged at $21 million and the project would require the school's students to be relocated out of town or in trailers for four to six years The other main option identified in a 2022 facilities assessment was to close the school and expand the Walter T Determined by district officials to be the more practical path the options have been the subject of plan-refining meetings with stakeholders financial advisers and the district consultants at Gianforcaro Architects The district estimates that consolidating to one school will generate savings of about $275,000 annually through the elimination of duplicate positions and reduction of utility and maintenance costs said the savings will effectively offset the cost of the repayment of the staged bonds over 27 years "Savings from the closure of the SRD school will be solely dedicated toward tax relief," he said In addition to the sale of more than $22 million in bonds to raise capital the district plans to use $4.2 million from its capital reserve account and revenue from the future sale of the Samuel R Estimates place the property's value at $5 million a ratable that could help generate roughly $125,000 in annual school tax revenue If a developer seeks to repurpose the land under a Payment in Lieu of Taxes the mayor has pledged — pending borough council approval — that all generated funds would go to the school district Given the potential to refinance the bonds and apply proceeds from the property sale to keep the tax impact stable district officials maintain that the referendum's impact on taxpayers would be a one-time adjustment rather than a recurring increase For a homeowner with a $10,000 property tax bill the annual cost of the project would be about $200 Residents participating in the Senior Freeze Program would need to pay the tax increase initially according to the district’s auditors and the borough's tax collector the amount would be reimbursed as part of the program’s regular process Voting will take place in person on March 11 from 2 p.m Mail-in ballots must be postmarked or received by that date The deadline to apply for a vote-by-mail ballot is March 4 BLOOMINGDALE — Voters said yes to the district's plan to close and sell Samuel R Bergen Middle School for students from first through eighth grades in Tuesday's referendum and 737 of them approved of the plan while 430 were against it District officials' plan includes a $22.6 million bond sale They plan to pay off the debt through an estimated tax increase of about 2% for property owners on top of the Samuel R The district will now add 16 classrooms to Walter T The two-story expansion will be fully ADA-compliant The cost to renovate the 106-year-old Samuel R and the project requires the school's students to be moved out of town or into trailers for four to six years If a developer seeks to repurpose the land under a payment in lieu of taxes the mayor has pledged — pending Borough Council approval — that all generated funds would go to schools district officials maintain that the proposal's impact on taxpayers would be a one-time adjustment rather than a recurring increase Residents participating in the Senior Freeze program would need to pay the tax increase initially said the district’s auditors and the borough's tax collector (WCYB) — The Bloomingdale Baptist Church in Kingsport hosting its annual drive thru 'Journey to the Cross' Easter play on Saturday The Easter play consisting of nearly seven scenes set up at the church giving people in the community a chance to see Jesus' last week of life before he was crucified Bloomingdale Baptist Church leaders told News 5 the Easter play has grown in so many ways Journey to the Cross is free for all to attend and the event is from 8 p.m This is not news that anyone wanted to hear today about San Francisco and its downtown recovery efforts but following in the footsteps of major retailers Nordstrom and Macy's Bloomingdale's is shuttering its massive SF store Bloomingdale's announced Tuesday that it will close its flagship San Francisco store at the SF Centre mall as of "late spring," or the end of March — a statement from the company says the former, but the Chronicle is reporting the latter The store, which has certainly felt under-trafficked in recent years much like its sibling Macy's at Union Square, occupies the other anchor space at the SF Centre that has been a vague glimmer of hope for the mall, after the closing of anchor tenant Nordstrom in 2023 This leaves the mall, which continues to be in receivership after the departure of former owners the Westfield Corporation in 2023 in even worse shape when it comes to turnaround efforts Multiple smaller but prominent retailers have shuttered their spaces in the mall in the last two years, including J. Crew, Hollister, Adidas, and the Lego Store, and the Michael Kors store, which occupies a space facing Market Street, announced its closure last week While the court-appointed receiver has filled some of unoccupied spaces including all of the fourth floor that was once home to "The Restaurant Collection," have lain sadly vacant for a number of years now "We are saddened to confirm that Bloomingdale’s will officially close its doors in Union Square San Francisco," the company said in a statement Bloomingdale’s doors will remain open until late spring 2025  We are hopeful to be back to serve the San Francisco community in the future and look forward to introducing new ways to provide enhanced service to our loyal local shoppers." has been downsizing in recent years and has plans to close its Union Square flagship once it sells the property Macy's is also closing stores in San Mateo as well as its cosmetics chain Bluemercury were still doing well in the struggling brick-and-mortar retail marketplace This led to speculation that the company could relocate Bloomingdale's from the SF Centre to the Union Square building — though they reportedly still had a decade left on their lease at the SF Centre calls the news of the closure "more heartbreaking than Macy's," speaking to the Chronicle Morgan says that retail overall has been "on a good momentum," but this is no doubt a big blow Stay tuned for some sort of statement from Mayor Daniel Lurie who like Mayor Breed before him with the Macy's news was likely blindsided by this — and this won't be an easy or quick problem to fix Kamala Harris flew home to Los Angeles Monday night onboard an Air Force flight commanded by an all-female crew and today she began volunteering and visiting firefighters who have been battling the wildfires there One of Trump’s Day One executive fiats was to order all federal employees back to the office five days a week which seems more like an attempt to manufacture excuses to fire career civil servants who are not Trump loyalists Get the latest posts delivered right to your inbox Barmann is a fiction writer and web editor who's lived in San Francisco for 20+ years Get all the latest & greatest posts delivered straight to your inbox This website is using a security service to protect itself from online attacks The action you just performed triggered the security solution There are several actions that could trigger this block including submitting a certain word or phrase You can email the site owner to let them know you were blocked Please include what you were doing when this page came up and the Cloudflare Ray ID found at the bottom of this page Armand town board is starting up a neighborhood watch group for the Bloomingdale area as residents say they’ve seen an increase in crime over the past year Town Supervisor Davina Thurston said the idea for a neighborhood watch came about from a “culmination” of issues and complaints around town She wasn’t sure if there would be interest in joining it but from the 18 members of the public who attended the meeting on Tuesday This was quite the crowd for the town board room said as they were planning the future of the town one of the major improvements people wanted was to maintain safety He said he loves Bloomingdale because his kids can get the “free range” childhood he had ride bikes around town — “textbook Americana,” he said Kline is also an administrator on the Bloomingdale Facebook group — a place where people post about events lost dogs and where they warn neighbors about bears and coyotes But the page also has a number of posts from people complaining about public drug use Thurston pinned the blame on drug addiction “They might be the nicest person in the world and then two years later they’re into meth and you don’t know who they are anymore,” Thurston said she brought information from the National Crime Prevention Council about starting a neighborhood watch Several attendees took extra sign-up sheets to share with friends who couldn’t make it to the meeting “That’s why we’re here,” Thurston said go out with baseball bats and beat up people on the street.” Some attendees feigned disappointment at the more passive action Thurston plans to create an email group and possibly a group text with the members to keep in contact She also said the town is looking into prices for neighborhood watch signs Joe Fisher and town Councilman Karl Law suggested they get a law enforcement representative involved to make sure they’re doing everything right Thurston said she’s spoken with Essex County Sheriff David Reynolds who she said supports the neighborhood watch idea Thurston plans to invite him — as well as representatives from the State Police and Saranac Lake village police — to their next meeting the town judge and a former State Police trooper said the problems are mostly in certain areas Casey Field said he lives in one of those areas he said he had to go over late at night to tell people who were drinking and partying on the playground pirate ship to leave the town put up “no trespassing” signs at the park from dusk until dawn “We’re not going to stand for it,” Thurston said … That park was donated to the town for our kids Field felt it is unfortunate for the kids that things are this way They should be able to enjoy playing out late and lamented that responding to crime in the hamlet takes things away from kids There was debate over whether patrols are needed Others felt it could be a deterrent to crime and comfort to residents They all see criminal or criminal-adjacent activity Attendees also talked about creating a database of doorbell cameras and game cameras Attendees were frustrated that the authorities can’t do more There are lots of hurdles to be cleared to make an arrest documentation and probable cause to issue warrants Whitelaw feels new police officers are scared to death of getting in trouble that actions during an arrest will lead to a lawsuit After the state reformed its bail system in 2019 bail is only applicable for certain offenses “I personally feel that bail reform is one of the single-worst pieces of legislation that has ever come out of New York state,” Thurston said and making them get into rehab programs could save their life Thurston said Whitelaw gets letters from people who he’s sent to jail who thanked him for the chance to get their lives back Whitelaw said he always gives the option of rehab and treatment first The neighborhood watch group has just started forming and members on Tuesday said they plan to meet again soon Whether you’re a new board member or a seasoned veteran there are always new leadership skills to explore NJSBA offers training opportunities to help you reach your full potential as a board member Get insights and guidance on a variety of areas relating to school operations and governance NJSBA's Candidate Kit provides vital resources as well as links to important websites for anyone considering running for their local school board president of the Bloomingdale Board of Education in Passaic County has been named the New Jersey School Boards Association’s 2024-2025 Board Member of the Year executive director and CEO of the NJSBA; Karen Cortellino president of the NJSBA; and numerous other education leaders and officials were on hand to honor Caraballo with the award at the Bloomingdale Board of Education’s meeting on Oct The winner is chosen by a group of judges at another state school boards association who review the numerous nomination packages that NJSBA receives “I think we can all agree they chose well in honoring Charles,” Cortellino said “During his 12 years as a member of the Bloomingdale Board of Education chaired numerous committees and represented Bloomingdale on the Butler Board of Education the receiving district for Bloomingdale high school students Charles also serves as chair of the Negotiations Committee Caraballo is a shining example of what it means to be a great board of education member “This is a board member whose work exemplifies commitment not only to the education of the children of his community but to public education throughout New Jersey,” he said Purnell also shined a spotlight on Caraballo’s outreach to the local community he has been a strong supporter of Bloomingdale’s initiatives such as the Senior-Student Bridge Program which pairs middle school students and local senior citizens with the purpose of building bonds,” he said “This project not only builds support for the school district but it also connects generations and enriches the lives of students superintendent of Bloomingdale Public Schools wrote a letter in support of Caraballo’s nomination he said that Caraballo has “demonstrated exemplary service unwavering dedication and outstanding leadership in his role as a board member and most recently as board president making him a highly deserving candidate for this prestigious recognition.” The role that Caraballo has played in driving initiatives that improve education has been “pivotal,” according to Nicosia “Charles’s dedication to putting students first is evident in his proactive engagement with fellow board of education members,” he said “He has fostered a collaborative environment where the focus is always on the best interests of the students His leadership has been instrumental in creating and supporting programs that bridge generational gaps and enrich the educational experience for all involved.” a past NJSBA president and past president of the Passaic County School Boards Association as well as a member of the Manchester Regional High School Board of Education “Charles’s visionary leadership is reflected in his innovative approaches to curriculum development where he has successfully ensured cutting-edge educational practices and equipment is being secured to enhance student engagement and learning outcomes.” “His ability to bring together various stakeholders has strengthened the educational framework and enriched the overall learning experience for students.” In addition to his service on the Bloomingdale board Caraballo has served as president as the Passaic County School Boards Association since 2021 and as first vice president from 2017-2021 which recognizes students from county high schools that make outstanding contributions to their schools and communities He was Bloomingdale’s delegate to the PCSBA for many years and currently serves as Bloomingdale’s alternate delegate to the Morris County School Boards Association He also served as a member of the NJSBA Legislative Committee from 2017 to 2023 and has served for several years as a small group leader at NJSBA’s New Board Member Orientation Weekend Caraballo has been a diligent student of NJSBA’s Board Member Academy earning the designations of Certified Board Member (2016) Master Board Member (2017) and Certified Board Leader (2023) NEW JERSEY EDUCATION NEWS Asbury Park Press Education roundup: School tax increases across Monmouth Ocean With several school districts facing insufficient funding and the state saying local districts should shoulder more of the funding burden NEW JERSEY EDUCATION NEWS Asbury Park Press ‘Not sustainable’: Holmdel School Board looks for cuts after $600 average tax increase About 40 members of the Holmdel school district’s union protested a move to possibly outsource various services by the board.. NEW JERSEY EDUCATION NEWS Asbury Park Press Little Egg board chooses between 50-student class size tax hike The Little Egg Harbor School Board faced a painful choice at its April 29th meeting Learn how to describe the purpose of the image (opens in a new tab) Leave empty if the image is purely decorative whose career launched 30-plus years ago at the luxury department store brings merchandising strength in need at Macy’s Macy’s on Monday tapped a longtime Bloomingdale’s merchant as senior vice president and general merchandising manager for men’s and kid’s He replaces Sam Archibald and will report to Macy’s chief merchant Nata Dvir Bloomingdale’s is exploring how to handle his departure Leppo began his career as a Bloomingdale’s intern more than three decades ago and went through executive training there He’s had various leadership positions at the luxury department store banner When Macy’s Inc. CEO Tony Spring took the reins last year the company was already dealing with a takeover battle that lasted until July. In February 2024, with the announcement that the company’s namesake banner would shutter 150 stores within three years it seemed clear that downsizing Macy’s would be a major feature of its latest turnaround But Macy’s is also plugging away at much-needed merchandising upgrades The difference has been clear: Over the holiday quarter, comps at stores that will stay open after closures are complete fell 0.5%, and comps at stores that have merchandising and store upgrades rose 1.2% In a statement Monday, Dvir noted Leppo’s deep expertise in men's fashion and “strong industry partnerships.” The retailer also noted Leppo’s “passion for product and his strong vendor relationships.” Get the free daily newsletter read by industry experts As a channel, it remains key to growth for many retailers. But the era of the DTC brand as we know it is over. It could be an attempt to broaden revenue streams, plot the location of a future store or, at its simplest, take advantage of a good deal. Subscribe to Retail Dive for top news, trends & analysis The free newsletter covering the top industry headlines The ghosts of last season’s rout were finally put to rest Saturday as Bloomingdale claimed its first-ever state championship in girls basketball with a nail-biting 43-41 victory over top-seeded Miami Southridge in the 6A final Last year’s perfect season that crumbled against Fort Lauderdale St Thomas Aquinas in a crushing title game defeat The Bulls didn’t enter this year’s tournament undefeated — and that was by design A deliberately challenging schedule resulted in five losses but forged a battle-tested squad ready for the pressures of championship basketball Bloomingdale built a 26-23 halftime lead behind dominant inside play and stifling defense only to watch Southridge storm back with a 10-0 run to start the third quarter Down seven points and with momentum swinging dramatically Bloomingdale methodically chipped away at the deficit until reclaiming the lead it would never relinquish This championship continues an impressive run for Hillsborough County girls basketball marking the third state title in six years by a public school following Tampa Bay Tech (2019) and Plant (2021) This year’s squad was deeper than last season’s runner-up team with four returning starters — including Tampa commit Noelle Mengel and standout Izellah Kendrick — bolstered by key transfers Savannah Ferguson They forged a bond with the focus on redemption they were all smiles as they showed off the medals around their necks knowing they finished what they were unable to accomplish a year ago © 2024 | Prime Time Preps | Designed with ❤️ by Ooh La La Digital The move will leave the struggling mall with another space to fill and the luxury department store’s only full-line locations outside the city Bloomingdale’s is closing its San Francisco Centre anchor store The move will leave the city without a Bloomingdale’s The luxury department store’s nearest full-line stores are in Palo Alto and Santa Clara Bloomingdale’s departure will further deplete Macy’s Inc.’s presence in San Francisco spokesperson hinted that Bloomingdale’s could return This vibrant city has been home to the brand for nearly two incredible decades,” the company said in its statement The move also leaves San Francisco Centre with another massive space to fill, following Nordstrom’s exit in 2023 has watched a steady stream of tenants leave An auction scheduled for October has been postponed to February according to documents from the First American Title Insurance Company A spokesperson for the mall didn’t immediately respond to a request for comment about Bloomingdale’s plan Rare Beauty and Target have taken steps to develop guidance around universally accessible design But the industry isn’t prioritizing it yet embraced by department stores in the 1920s skews key metrics and fosters bad decisions In Florida's 2025 high school basketball bullfight, an early scoring stampede proved too tough for Tocoi Creek's Toros. The Bulls of Valrico Bloomingdale turned up the first-half pressure and the points ending Tocoi Creek's deepest-ever run 50-39 in Thursday's Florida High School Athletic Association Class 6A girls basketball semifinal Audrey Beyer's 28-point performance sparked a fourth-quarter rally but wasn't enough for the Toros in their final-four debut inside the RP Funding Center in Lakeland Senior Noelle Mengel scored 14 and Izellah Kendrick notched 12 to lead the Bulls (24-5) who finished as runners-up last year and earned another championship chance with a 5 p.m Saturday state final against Miami Southridge Tocoi Creek (20-8) briefly led on an early Beyer 3-pointer but struggled to find an offensive rhythm shooting 9 percent in the first quarter and quickly sliding into a 20-6 hole Bloomingdale converted 10 first-half Tocoi Creek turnovers into eight fast-break points before the intermission Tocoi Creek made it interesting after going down by 20 cutting the gap to eight on a Beyer 3-pointer in the final 90 seconds before Bloomingdale extinguished the comeback but the Toros couldn't overcome a 36-27 rebounding deficit 16 turnovers and 21 percent team shooting from the field including starters McKenzie Mabry and Savannah Bischoff ShareSaveBETAThis is a BETA experience. opt-out hereBusinessRetailActivist Investors Call On Macy’s To Spin Off Bloomingdale’s And Bluemercury. Maybe It’s Time.ByPamela N. Danziger Forbes contributors publish independent expert analyses and insights focused on the luxury consumer market.Follow AuthorDec 16 2013: Macy's Herald Square New York flagship department store .. Macy’s Inc. just reported another disappointing quarter with net sales down 2.4% to $4.7 billion Not since first quarter 2022 has Macy’s Inc reported positive year-over-year comps and that due to the post-pandemic bounce CEO Tony Spring tried to deflect criticism with a statement “Our third quarter results reflect the positive momentum we are building,” pointing to the company’s turnaround plan introduced at the end of fiscal 2023 But after three quarters under the “Bold New Chapter” strategy with little to show for it, plus a black eye from a $151 million bookkeeping scandal that went undiscovered for nearly three years Last Monday, December 9, in advance of Wednesday’s delayed earnings call, activist investor Barington Capital, in partnership with Thor Equities, made a presentation before Macy’s shareholders calling on Macy’s Inc Perhaps the boldest and most radical proposal was to spin off the two bright spots in its otherwise stagnating department store business: iconic luxury retailer Bloomingdale’s and beauty specialty retailer Bluemercury While Macy’s flagship revenues declined 3.1% this quarter Bloomingdale’s sales were up 1.4% and Bluemercury advanced 3.2% though the company doesn’t report revenues by nameplate Barington has built up an undisclosed position in Macy’s but it must be big enough to command attention which it points to as managing its department store business better from a value perspective CEO William Dillard said the company has been focused on expense control and improving its gross margin as well as building cash and short-term investments after a $107 million stock buyback Dillard’s stock is up 4.5% since the first of the year closing last Friday at $423.85 with a market cap of $6.74 billion 59 Bloomingdale’s and 164 Bluemercury with 20 shop-in-shops in Macy’s trading at just under $17 with a market cap of $4.6 billion at the close of last week The Barington-Thor proposal claims Macy’s shares are undervalued it calls on Macy’s to cut capital expenditures from 4% to between 1.5% and 2% of total sales and to repurchase at least $2 billion to $3 billion in stock over the next three years Macy’s discounted stock represents the best investment the Company can make now,” Barington’s chair James Mitarotonda and Thor’s Joseph Sitt said in a statement They also call for Barington and Thor representatives on the board They also believe shareholder value is locked up in Macy’s real estate holdings estimated to be worth between $5 billion and $9 billion The proposal calls on Macy’s to create a separate real estate unit to collect rents from Macy’s retail operations and thus maximize value of its owned locations as well as exploring “strategic alternatives” for Bloomingdale’s and Bluemercury could lead to a 150% to 200% total return to Macy’s shareholders over three years Barington suggests the luxury namesplates don’t fit Macy’s grand plan and could trade at a valuation well above that of Macy’s current multiples the problems at Macy’s are holding Bloomingdale’s and Bluemercury back “Bloomingdale’s and Bluemercury have attractive growth prospects that we believe are being stunted by the Macy’s nameplate,” the presentation states The luxury spinoff opportunities are worth exploring Barington estimates Bloomingdale’s and Bluemercury account for some $3.2 billion in revenues over the last twelve months or only about 14% of the company’s total retail revenues As a luxury retailer trading in the same fashion and beauty categories as mainstream Macy’s not in the sense of bringing Bloomingdale’s luxury positioning down but at an organizational and operational level Bloomingdale’s faces challenges in the luxury department store market yet the changes needed to respond might go against Macy’s standard operating procedure or be impractical for such a small part of the larger organization Bloomingdale’s has only a tenth the number of active customers as Macy’s – 4 million to 41.2 million for Macy’s HBC is likely to make some unconventional moves to disrupt business-as-usual in the multi-brand luxury retail market Bloomingdale’s also competes with Nordstrom which has about three times as many full-priced stores as Bloomingdale’s – 93 plus six local service hubs against 32 Bloomingdale’s and three smaller Bloomies stores much of Nordstrom’s growth comes from its 280 value-priced Rack stores Rack was up 10.6% versus Nordstrom at 1.3% though Nordstrom generated nearly two-thirds of total revenues – $2.1 billion compared with $1.3 billion for Rack Bloomingdale’s has its own value nameplate and it added two new stores this quarter to reach 23 stores One can convincingly argue that operating discount stores cheapens the value of the luxury nameplate more specialty-focused Bloomies is fully in keeping with the luxury nameplate While Barington recommends that the Bloomies name be retired and replaced by Bloomingdale’s “due to the brand’s strength,” customers aren’t confused; Bloomies is what they’ve called the store for years Macy’s plans to add some 20 new stores to the Bloomingdale’s mix by 2026 in either the Outlet or Bloomies format; preferably more Bloomies because its more on-brand This November the fourth Bloomies was opened in the Grove at Shrewsbury too late to make the third quarter earnings report It’s the first featuring an all-women’s product lineup suggesting the nameplate hasn’t caught on with men Then there’s the beauty specialty Bluemercury chain Macy’s acquired Bluemercury for $210 million in 2015 when it had 60 specialty stores Bloomingdale’s and Bluemercury combined only generate $3.2 billion according to Barington’s estimate and Bluemercury only has some 711k active customers to Bloomingdale’s 4 million so it must be a tiny part of the Macy’s ecosystem Bluemercury has found a foothold in the specialty beauty business going against the much larger Ulta and LVMH-owned Sephora plus 500 shop-in-shops at Target and generated some $11.2 billion in sales last year plus some 1,000 shop-in-shop locations in Kohl’s While both Ulta and Sephora have filled white space in Target’s and Kohl’s beauty mix Bluemercury hasn’t done the same for Macy’s There are only about 20 Bluemercury Macy’s shop-in-shops Macy’s and Bloomingdale’s have long-standing and well-appointed cosmetics departments filled with premium and luxury brands I never quite got Macy’s rationale for acquiring Bluemercury Barington and Thor are all in with Macy’s “Bold New Chapter” turnaround plan with some modifications improve store-level productivity and optimize the value of the company’s real estate portfolio to create more value for shareholders “We seek to be value-added stockholders at Macy’s that can bring fresh perspectives to the Company especially in the areas of capital allocation and real estate,” Barington’s Mitarotonda and Thor’s Sitt said in a joint statement Their proposal focuses in-depth on their cost-cutting and value-add proposals but it doesn’t delve deeply into the opportunities or challenges at Bloomingdale’s or Bluemercury mainly calling for the company to evaluate “strategic alternatives” for these luxury nameplates Macy’s said in a statement it is open to evaluating the Barington-Thor proposal: “The Macy’s Board of Directors and management team are committed to delivering sustainable profitable growth and driving shareholder value We have consistently demonstrated open-mindedness with respect to regularly reviewing the Company’s strategy and capital allocation framework and exploring all paths to enhance value.” it seems unlikely that Macy’s will spin off Bloomingdale’s which has been a part of Federated Department Stores since 1930 which acquired Macy’s in 1994 and eventually became Macy’s Inc Bloomingdale’s must operate in its own luxury sphere and not be infected by Macy’s mass-market-think Since CEO Spring started his career with Bloomingdale’s some 37 years ago Bloomies offers a longer runway in the luxury retail market while growing the Bloomingdale’s Outlet might be a distraction but one more in keeping with Macy’s standard-operating procedures How much value it could create as a standalone business is a question worth pursuing Macy’s has done well with the brand but maybe another owner could do better or believe they could do better At least it would sell at a premium over the $210 million Macy’s paid a decade ago Hand & Stone Massage and Facial Spa is now open in Bloomingdale Square Inspired by a passion for wellness and providing peaceful self-care experiences the Bloomingdale spa will be operated by first-time business owners Crystal and Marvin Ojeda After spending over two decades working in the corporate medical field the couple transitioned into a career change the couple has signed a development agreement to open a location in Texas further supporting their goals as business owners and self-care providers and their dedication to the brand the Ojedas are actively engaged in the community through organizations such as the Greater Brandon Chamber of Commerce “Opening our first Hand & Stone spa is a proud moment for my husband and me as we bring a leading wellness brand to Bloomingdale,” said Crystal “I am excited to offer a relaxing environment with accessible services that will exceed guests’ expectations I’m confident our team will thrive and become an integral part of our supportive and dynamic community.” Hand & Stone introduces high-quality professional massage services — including Swedish oncology and prenatal massages — to the charming Hillsborough County suburb Clients can also enjoy Hand & Stone’s signature hot stone massage and best-in-class facials all tailored to each individual’s needs and to address specific skin concerns With a wide range of services available for women the new spa provides a personalized experience for every guest The Bloomingdale location will feature a team of seven estheticians and seven massage therapists providing exceptional customized massage or facial services at accessible prices Like all Hand & Stone spas nationwide the new Bloomingdale location offers advanced skin care and spa services that incorporate new technologies at the forefront of the wellness market to enhance each guest’s overall experience These advanced services include the DiamondGlow facial NuFACE microcurrent facial and LED phototherapy facial as well as innovations such as CBD oil enhancements and partnerships with award-winning skin care lines Dermalogica Hand & Stone services are performed by experienced licensed estheticians and licensed massage therapists The brand’s commitment to extraordinary guest experiences has translated into unparalleled expertise at each location supported by best-in-class training and ongoing educational resources for all team members guests have access to a team of wellness experts who specialize in providing exceptional skin care and massage treatments The Bloomingdale location is open from Monday to Sunday, 9 a.m.-9 p.m. For more information about Hand & Stone Massage and Facial Spa and its services or to schedule an appointment, call 813-578-7944 or visit www.handandstonebloomingdale.com Bloomingdale Senior High School’s (BSHS) auditorium was officially dedicated as the Sutherland Hall of the Performing Arts orchestra and color guard for nearly 40 years within Hillsborough County Public Schools She taught at Bloomingdale from 1992 to 2004 The dedication event began with a ribbon-cutting and unveiling of the name above the entrance to the auditorium Hundreds of Bloomingdale current and former staff alumni and family members then filled the auditorium to listen to stories about Sutherland her unwavering love and dedication to friends and students alike and performances by bands (Wind Ensemble and Jazz Ensemble 1) orchestra (Chamber and Alumni) and choirs (Ambassadors and Alumni Choir) The grand finale of the program was a joint performance from the Alumni Choir Orchestra and Wind Ensemble of “Sleep” by Eric Whitacre conducted by Jon Sever supervisor of middle/secondary music education for Hillsborough County Public Schools and former director of bands at Bloomingdale Sutherland’s antics and personality left an impact on her students and fellow educators alike All of the guest speakers shared stories of the fun she created and spoke of her commitment to excellence belief in every student’s potential and her refusal to accept anything less than the best former BSHS orchestra director; Sue Burkett there was no limit to what she thought you could achieve,” Burkett said “But what truly set Bev apart was the love that she had for her students.” Rudes said he learned from Sutherland how to discipline with love and the importance of knowing every student and letting them know how much you care It was about her loving others,” Rudes said “Bev understood the unique power of music to connect She saw music not as a subject but as a language — a language in which every student could express themselves BLOOMINGDALE — Police are warning homeowners to be careful when dealing with contractors after they said a sham paving company went door-to-door to solicit business and ruined a resident's driveway handed out flyers that advertised “quality service” and “trained workers,” but police said it is not licensed to operate in New Jersey Patrick Connors, 33, of the U.K., who purported to be the owner of Total Paving, was arrested and charged with multiple criminal offenses and consumer affairs violations, police said in a statement Saturday Authorities also impounded company vehicles including a dump truck and a skid-steer loader Celebrations: Competing groups fight over right to hold Peruvian Independence Day parade in Clifton Police said they were alerted Friday when residents called to complain that the paving company's representatives sought clients without a solicitor’s permit officers were dispatched to White Haven Place on a report of a blocked driveway Sgt. Sami Zeidan and Patrolman Thomas Dichio found multiple vehicles belonging to Total Paving, police said. The officers then consulted the state Division of Consumer Affairs to confirm that the business is unlicensed They also spoke to at least one resident who reported having been duped by the company Total Paving significantly raised the price of its service by thousands of dollars from its initial offer and “completely damaged” the victim’s driveway Chief Daniel Greenwood said residents should always ask to see borough-issued permits when approached by contractors But the state said there is an even easier way to prevent door-to-door scams: Do not answer unexpected knocks “Better to be rude than scammed!” the state advised in a public-service announcement For more tips, visit the anti-fraud toolkit on the Consumer Affairs website at njconsumeraffairs.gov Philip DeVencentis is a local reporter for NorthJersey.com For unlimited access to the most important news in your community please subscribe or activate your digital account today Email: devencentis@northjersey.com Follow along at High School On SI for live updates throughout the afternoon to see who will be representing in the Class 6A championship game on Saturday Bloomingdale is in the Final Four for the third consecutive season Tocoi Creek is in the Final Four for the first time in program history (Keep refreshing page for live game updates) The Class 6A semifinal between Bloomingdale and Tocoi Creek will tip-off at 1:00 p.m Bloomingdale Starting Lineup: Aviance Torres Tocoi Creek Starting Lineup: Savannah Bischoff Izellah Kendrick (Bloomingdale) starts the scoring.. Audrey Beyer (Tocoi Creek) gets the Toros on the board.. Kendrick (Bloomingdale) gets her second field goal.. Savannah Ferguson (Bloomingdale) scores a 2-point field goal.. Noelle Mengel (Bloomingdale) makes free throw 1 of 2.. 8-3 Bloomingdale with 3:22 left in the first quarter Noelle Mengel (Bloomingdale) scores a 2-point field goal.. Audrey Beyer (Tocoi Creek) makes free throw 1 of 2.. Beyer (Tocoi Creek) makes free throw 2 of 2.. Mengel (Bloomingdale) makes a 3-point field goal.. Aviance Torres (Bloomingdale) makes a 3-point field goal.. Mengel (Bloomingdale) scores a 2-point field goal.. Jennie Gutman (Bloomingdale) scores a 2-point field goal.. Gabi Iturralde (Tocoi Creek) makes free throw 1 of 2.. Iturralde (Tocoi Creek) misses free throw 2 of 2 Izellah Kendrick (Bloomingdale) scores a 2-point field goal.. Asiana McCreary (Tocoi Creek) misses free throw 1 of 2 McCreary (Tocoi Creek) makes free throw 2 of 2.. Kalese Salter (Bloomingdale) scores a 2-point field goal.. Savannah Ferguson (Bloomingdale) makes free throw 1 of 2.. Ferguson (Bloomingdale) makes free throw 2 of 2.. Caeli Weaver (Tocoi Creek) makes free throw 1 of 2.. Weaver (Tocoi Creek) misses free throw 2 of 2 Jennie Gutman (Bloomingdale) misses free throw 1 of 2 Gutman (Bloomingdale) misses free throw 2 of 2 Izellah Kendrick (Bloomingdale) makes a 2-point field goal.. Savannah Bischoff (Tocoi Creek) misses free throw 1 of 2 Bischoff (Tocoi Creek) makes free throw 2 of 2.. Asiana McCreary (Tocoi Creek) makes a 2-point field goal.. Noelle Mengel (Bloomingdale) makes a 2-point field goal.. Kalese Salter (Bloomingdale) misses free throw 1 of 2 Salter (Bloomingdale) makes free throw 2 of 2.. Salter (Bloomingdale) misses free throw 2 of 2 Jennie Gutman (Bloomingdale) makes a 2-point field goal.. Beyer (Tocoi Creek) makes free throw 1 of 2.. Jatia Markes (Bloomingdale) makes free throw 1 of 2.. Markes (Bloomingdale) makes free throw 2 of 2.. Gutman (Bloomingdale) makes free throw 2 of 2.. Audrey Beyer (Tocoi Creek) makes a 2-point field goal.. Beyer (Tocoi Creek) makes a 3-point field goal.. Tocoi Creek 31 with 4:02 left in the fourth quarter Savannah Ferguson (Bloomingdale) misses free throw 1 of 2 Jayla Griffin (Bloomingdale) scores a 2-point field goal.. Gabi Iturralde (Tocoi Creek) scores a 3-point field goal.. Timeout Tocoi Creek: Bloomingdale leads 47-36 with 2:09 left in the fourth quarter Audrey Beyer (Tocoi Creek) scores a 3-point field goal.. Timeout Tocoi Creek: Bloomingdale leads 47-39 with 1:18 left in the fourth quarter Ferguson (Bloomingdale) makes two free throws.. Tocoi Creek 39: Bloomingdale advances to the Class 6A Girls Basketball Championship Game on Saturday at 1:00 p.m ROSS VAN DE GRIEKRoss Van De Griek has been a high school sports writer covering the state of Florida since 2021 Ross also has been scouting high school basketball and Grassroots Basketball across the Southeast Region since 2022 Ross has been covering basketball and recruiting for High School on SI since August 2024 and On The Radar Hoops throughout his scouting career You can follow him on X @rossvdg14 or reach him via email rossvdg14@gmail.com for story ideas Every product is independently selected by (obsessive) editors Things you buy through our links may earn us a commission I have a long list of reasons why I love shopping at Bloomingdale’s from the Little Brown Bags to the ever-appealing lineup of designer and designer-adjacent brands — and Bloomingdale’s is having its spring Friends & Family sale and you can receive 25 percent off on women’s and men’s fashion All discounts will automatically be applied when you check out (Free shipping is also available for everyone during the Friend’s & Family sale with no minimum required.) Our senior editor Hilary Reid bought this short-sleeve sweater recently and loves it for its high-quality, supersoft-feeling cashmere. She owns this mint-green shade and is eyeing the light yellow next And here’s a matching crewneck cardigan to layer over the top above or wear on its own this all-cotton one from Alex Mill is a favorite of multiple Strategist staffers (and rarely goes on sale) Jeans Month is in full swing, and a few weeks ago, we tracked down the person who designed the Levi’s Ribcage. Jill Guenza, who is the global VP of women’s design at Levi’s, told us the button fly was a risky choice but it has a “really flattering effect of holding you in the front.” This dark wash feels especially right Another one of our most-stood-behind styles is Mother’s the Hustler, which we’ve named our best flare jeans for women but are sturdy enough to hold everything,” according to one stylish source I spotted this jean jacket with a cropped silhouette and (not pictured) a curved hem at the back We’re longtime fans of the Modern tee from Kule, which Reid first tried in 2019 when we investigated the enduring appeal of stripes. It’s still one of our favorite striped shirts thanks to the range of colors available and substantial-feeling cotton fabric Now’s the time to get serious about your spring dress collection is versatile enough to wear straight through the summer months Here’s a nice (under $100!) option for a bridal shower or any spring wedding events on the horizon including this Solid & Striped one-piece that has a slightly retro feel Plenty of sizes are still available in these mesh cherry-red Loeffler Randall ballet flats These G.H. Bass Whitney Weejuns, on the other hand, are selling fast, so I’d hurry if you’re hoping to score our favorite loafers This woven cross-body bag reminds me of Bottega Veneta’s Concert Pouch Another woven Loeffler Randall bag that has a snazzy push-lock closure and adjustable cross-body strap Fashion stylist Becky Malinsky penned an ode to this small yet surprisingly versatile bag which somehow manages to hold “a mighty amount of on-the-go necessities.” Lots of fine jewelry is deeply discounted right now like these half-carat emerald-cut studs that are over 50 percent off I suggest these thick huggies that feature diamond baguettes and 14K yellow gold New York–based brand Alex Crane is the maker of our favorite men’s linen T-shirt. It’s by far the breeziest option in our shopping guide because the French linen is lightweight and the relaxed fit offers plenty of ventilation The price is right for this ribbed Madewell sweater that’s under $75 given that it’s typically tough to find the brand on sale outside of its end-of-season events And here’s a poplin button-down that would work just as well in the office as it would at a nice restaurant These dark-wash AG jeans are relaxed from hip to knee and tapered at the leg opening for a straighter silhouette which are still made with 100 percent cotton denim This mixed-material duffel is large enough to pack a weekend’s worth of clothes Quarter socks are all my boyfriend ever wears and these ones are made with stretchy spandex material Handsome penny loafers made with soft leather and a sturdy bottom — plus an easy-on these are giving mature sneakers that are neutral enough to go with any outfit I sleep on a Slip silk pillowcase every night and can honestly say it’s well worth the investment for the cooling nature and beauty benefits Our writer Lauren Ro named these our pick for best Egyptian cotton sheets “The Luca Satin Stitch has a super-tight weave that gives the sheets an incredibly crispy Soft, cushiony, bouncy, and absorbent are all words we’ve used to describe these Matouk bath towels, which are our best overall pick in the category Bearaby’s weighted blanket is at the top of our list because it’s made with a thick chunky yarn (instead of a filling) and is breathable due to the open-knit design The thick glass is quite durable, which is why we gave these highballs the title of the best durable tall drinking glasses I own these dinner plates and love the sturdy feel and organic shape. Another fan is recipe developer and cookbook author Carissa Stanton who uses them for regular meals as well as for dinner parties because guests can easily put three to five different foods together without worrying about overflow By submitting your email, you agree to our Terms and Privacy Notice and to receive email correspondence from us The Strategist is designed to surface useful, expert recommendations for things to buy across the vast e-commerce landscape. Every product is independently selected by our team of editors, whom you can read about here but note that deals can expire and all prices are subject to change Things you buy through our links may earn us a commission Password must be at least 8 characters and contain: you’ll receive occasional updates and offers from New York Suburban shoppers will see significant changes as demolition work continues on malls in Bloomingdale and Lombard and will soon start in West Dundee Stratford Square in Bloomingdale and Spring Hill in West Dundee — are in the midst of a transformation as villages and ownership reimagine the retail centers Demolition work has exposed much of the inside of the mall and is expected to be completed by the end of May “They are about halfway through tearing down the building,” he said “They have gotten to the interior and made it all the way to what used to be the food court.” He noted that the former JC Penney and Burlington Coat Factory stores have already been torn down Work on the Carson Pirie Scott store will commence soon and the village has worked with the retailer to prepare for its transformation Scalera said the entrance from Kohl’s into the main part of the mall has already been walled off and plans call for an exterior entrance on the lower level of Kohl’s The village purchased the mall properties for $17.25 million Conceptual plans reimagine the Stratford Square area as “The Grove,” a mixed-use development that would include a meandering boardwalk the village will act as the general contractor bringing individual users to the new space Scalera said the town is already in talks with potential tenants and hopes to make some of those public later this year “It’s an exciting time in our community,” he said of the development Demolition of the old Carson Pirie Scott store continues and is expected to be complete by the end of February Lombard Community Development Director William Heniff said The former Carson’s store will be replaced by a green space between the remaining mall and a luxury apartment development called Yorktown Reserve The construction phase at Yorktown Reserve is expected to start later this year and will include 271 units Village officials anticipate having the first phase completed sometime next year The center also has welcomed some new restaurants Empire Burgers + Brew and Dave & Buster’s A Fresh Market grocery store is expected to open in 2026 “There’s a lot of synergies there,” said Phil Domenico one of the owners of Synergy Construction & Development the company building the luxury apartments next to the mall some interior-facing stores will have exterior access where the Carson’s store entrance into the mall once stood Heniff said the mix of shops and residential is a growing trend as shopping malls look for ways to repurpose the space once occupied by large anchor retailers noting the convenience of having shopping close to residences benefits both village trustees recently approved a $3.6 million contract for crews to tear down Spring Hill Mall which excludes the Kohl’s store and Cinemark theater Though the mall straddles both West Dundee and Carpentersville The village spent $9.3 million to purchase the mall West Dundee officials envision a mixed-use development featuring retail residential and restaurants and are hopeful demolition and cleanup of the mall property will spark developer interest “We expect that once the demolition starts in earnest we’ll start seeing more interest in the property,” West Dundee Village Manager Joe Cavallaro said Though Kohl’s recently announced plans to shutter its store at Spring Hill Mall Cavallaro said West Dundee has no plans to purchase the property The Kohl’s store at the mall is within the village of Carpentersville.