Macy’s 60-year-old ‘shopping bag’ billboard in Herald Square to be demolished, removed this weekend

The iconic Macy’s “shopping bag” billboard that has towered over Herald Square for more than six decades is set to be dismantled and taken down this weekend, according to sources from The Post.

The four-story red-and-white fixture, situated in the cut-out corner of the flagship store at Broadway and West 34th Street, occupies a 2,200-square-foot retail space owned by Kaufman Realty. The space has been leased to a Sunglass Hut store for several years.

Macy’s and Kaufman have been in talks regarding the ad space, with plans for the billboard to be “modernized,” as indicated by a source familiar with the matter.

The change comes as high-tech LED billboards, like the ones in Times Square, are increasingly in demand for lucrative advertising rates, according to real estate experts.

Macy’s has confirmed that the billboard will be removed this weekend but did not provide details on its replacement or their plans for the space.

“As the neighborhood evolves, the current sign, while cherished, is outdated and will be removed as part of broader updates to modernize the space,” Macy’s stated in a message to The Post.

The company also teased that they will soon unveil refreshed branding for Macy’s Herald Square that pays homage to their history while embracing the future.

Edward Hart, CEO of Kaufman, declined to comment as he was out of town on Friday.

In 2021, Macy’s filed a lawsuit against Kaufman alleging that the real estate company intended to lease the space to Amazon once Macy’s lease expired.

Macy’s argued that an agreement signed in 1963 prohibited the landlord from leasing the billboard to a competitor, a restriction that Macy’s claimed was perpetual.

Although there were disagreements on the interpretation of the agreement, it seems that Macy’s and Kaufman have reached a resolution.