The Magnificent Mile saw a large crowd gather for the opening of Uniqlo’s new store on March 29, with more than 500 people lining up before doors opened at 600 N. Michigan Ave. Meanwhile, Saks Fifth Avenue is set to close its longstanding location just blocks away in May.
The developments highlight ongoing changes along the Mag Mile, where traditional department stores are giving way to retailers focused on experiences and younger shoppers. The area, which faced setbacks during the pandemic, is showing signs of recovery as new brands move in and established ones return.
Joshua Yepez, a Gage Park resident who arrived early for Uniqlo’s opening, said he was excited by the store’s return: “With this store opening, I’ll probably come maybe at least once or twice a week. If any of my friends come from other states, I’ll definitely take them here. It’s really exciting to see something new and fresh come to the city I love.”
In contrast, regular Saks shopper Sara A., who has lived Downtown for two decades, described feeling sad about losing another favorite shopping destination: “I love coming here, even if I just look around… Makes you feel good,” she said.
Retail experts say these shifts reflect broader trends affecting department stores worldwide. Timothy Calkins of Northwestern University said that shrinking footprints are not unique to Chicago but part of a global issue tied to changing shopping habits and online retail growth. “The challenge is, until that space gets somehow a new purpose, it’s going to become a drag on the whole Michigan Avenue strip,” Calkins said regarding Saks’ soon-to-be-vacant space.
Despite these challenges, recent openings such as Alo Yoga and experience-based shops like Harry Potter Shop have brought renewed interest to the corridor. A January report by Kirsch Agency projected that vacancy rates could drop from 28.5 percent at the end of 2025 to 23.5 percent by year-end.
Younger shoppers say they are drawn more toward stores like Uniqlo than traditional department stores like Saks. Brian Thompson from DePaul University said retailers succeed when they understand their customers: “They’re speaking to them in their language…and these traditional department stores have not been very good at doing that.” Seventeen-year-old Nahlej Vonneedo echoed this sentiment after visiting Uniqlo: “I’ll definitely come back here the second my paycheck hits… The store is really nice.”
