Farewell Fortunoff!

By Christine Insinga

                                                                             

I cannot even begin to tell you how many gifts I've purchased off a bridal registry at Fortunoff. Girlfriends, relatives, neighbors...just about anytime anyone told me they were getting married I knew I'd soon be making a trip there for the shower gift!   

   Now the Westbury based home and jewelry retailer is holding 'Going Out of Business' sales after being sold at auction for more than $85 million. 

 

Fortunoff filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection on February 5, another casualty of this crushing recession. Shortly after, they passed out pink slips to 300 workers in their Uniondale Corporate office.  Some had worked for the company for more than 40 years.  I was told and are now fighting to get any sort of pension or extension on healthcare.

On a bit of a brighter note--Fortunoff is now honoring gift cards, after giving holders the brush off last week.  So cash in on that last piece of Lenox, ladies and guys--time to get that hot watch you've been eyeing.

Today, one woman told my colleague, Jill Conway, that her mother used to take her on Fortunoff shopping trips when SHE was young.  It is an icon for many, but after 87 years, it's time to say farewell Fortunoff!  {##}