TODAY IN DISCOUNTERS: Nordstrom Rack Gets Its Sign & TJMaxx Coming To Midtown

Our friends at RACKED were a day or two ahead of us in reporting that Union Squares upcoming Nordstrom Rack (15 days and counting) has put up its sign, suggesting that its unfinished looking interior is being speedily completed behind those papered over windows. Interestingly, it looks, at the moment, like the main entrance will be closer to fourth Avenue rather than at the more dramatic marquee at Broadway that was the focal point for the departed Virgin Megastore. So what's happening to that marquee -and can they really finish all this up in two weeks?

In a related story, TJMaxx, the huge discount chain will be opening its third Manhattan location on West 57^th Street in 28,000 square feet on the southern block between Eighth Avenue and Broadway, displacing a Chase Bank and anything else in its way (apparently the Gap in that building is set to shrink a lot). Perhaps this move will push some displaced stores into the long empty Hearst Building retail spaces across Eighth Avenue.

Though they have long maintained a store on Sixth Avenue at 19th Street over bed Bath & Beyond, The Shophound Has to admit that we had never been inside a TJMaxx until just a few months ago when they opened a store at Columbus Avenue and 100^th Street near Whole Foods (and a new Sephora coming this weekend). It's the kind of cheesy discount store you think you might avoid until you wander in and find a jaw dropping bargain or two and then you are checking in every week. Seriously, we now buy nothing for our kitchen without checking this place first (often full of Calphalon, All-Clad, Cuisinart and other enviable brands reliably discounted), and we now know that there are plenty of sophisticated, erudite Manhattanites who shop there all the time -just don't ask them to admit it. It's hit or miss at best with clothes there, but there's always a bit of Ralph Lauren, and we have occasionally spotted racks full of other surprising designer goods.

The midtown TJMaxx location should be open by the Holiday Season, and full of New Yorkers shopping in disguise.

Union Square Gets Its Rack Enhanced (RACKED NY)
57^th St. Goes To The Maxx (NYPost)