When I was a child, Barneys New York was a very exclusive men's store, and by reputation, it was where the finest dressers bought everything, even their socks. As the store found itself challenged by competition, it did what it should have done: it added courtier clothing for women, and it increased its number of stores.
Readers of the blogs I have posted here know that I have frequently expressed criticism of Barneys ownership and management because their maverick and often times silly window and store displays 
at their Dallas North Park Center location lacked merchandising logic and, therefore, did not encouraged enough customers to even begin to attain critical mass.
All in a town and in a similar location where they had had a prior store, a store that had performed so poorly that they had elected to close it.
Yesterday I saw that they had just, by far, installed the best window designs in the center. That encouraged me to tour the store. Bingo! They've finally figured it out. I hope they continue in this direction, and that it's not too late for shoppers to explore the store.
Dallas men and women who demand and require their clothier not to have jammed racks and tight aisles, and to have one-on-one assistance in exploring selection possibilities will enjoy Barneys New York. In NorthPark about the center of the Neiman's-Northstrom concourse. Go look.
Copyright 2008 - William S. Cherry
Charlie and Miss Donna
Thanks for your comments. How nice of you to add to my post.
While I had been to Manhattan many times with my family, when I was 16 my daddy and I went one time by ourselves, and while we were there he bought me a cashmere sport coat at Barneys. I still have that coat. It looks like brand-new and every now and then I take it out of the bag, feel it and think about my dad and our trip together. I love doing that.
I've had that coat for more than fifty years. It still has style and hangs well. It's just that it no longer fits.
If it were up to me, everyone on this planet would be treated to at least one fine piece of clothing in their lifetime. And one piece of exquisite jewelry.
Miss Joanie, I don't know how many stores Barneys has. I doubt very many. But they opened one in Dallas' famous up-scale shopping mall, North Park, about a year ago, and the store has struggled.
For many years I went to New York and Boston about 10 times a year...about the same number of times to Los Angeles. My Boston associate Carol Todreas of Todreas-Hanley Associates, Inc., and I did a great deal of business in those areas.
But when Patty and I married, I cut out the travel. I do miss my visits, though.
Bill
Miss Joanie,
You know darned well I wouldn't get anywhere near Boston or anywhere else in New England without making arrangements to meet you.
Bill
MAY 7TH UPDATE
I was in NorthPark yesterday afternoon. Barneys had redressed its windows. Another home run! Make that two in a row!
Bill,
Great news. I'm not big on shopping; however if the need arises I will check them out.
Richard, this is one time you don't have to be keen on shopping. Just go look at how beautifully they are merchandising their wares. Thanks for your note.