As shoppers, employees, preservationists, planners, educators, philanthropists, and members of the founders’ families, the Neiman Marcus Legacy Partnership calls upon the Saks Global division of NRDC Equity Partners to revert their plans for closure and affirm continued preservation of this world-class store to the highest caliber. For over 115 years, Neiman Marcus has been a bastion of Southern elegance and connoisseurship as it strove to be the epitome of luxury. From the legendary $250 cookie to the infamous Christmas Book catalog, Neiman Marcus has had an outsized role in developing our proud national culture. Through broad brand recognition, the store cemented itself as one of the centerpieces of Dallas and a symbol of Texas’ Southwestern roots. It represents a pinnacle of capitalist achievement while maintaining the core values of trustworthiness, service, and sophistication that its founders instilled from the start. Great ambition and grit paved the way to garnering unmatched impact and influence on the entire ecosystem of fashion which echoed far beyond the physical walls of the building. Neiman Marcus made Dallas synonymous with culture as an international destination for those seeking distinctive style. It could be said that Neiman Marcus was instrumental to the creation of the city and emblematic of the greatness of this country. This success in Dallas paved the way for the flagship to expand to nearly a full city block and for erecting other stores across the nation to become the banner it is today. The breakout success of Neiman Marcus forever changed the landscape of fashion and retail. It is a testament to the lasting impact of achieving the American dream.

It is hard to fathom something so valuable on a large scale will cease to exist over what was originally an idiosyncratic land lease dispute after surviving two world wars, a great depression, multiple recessions, and two pandemics. The store was even founded in what was considered the first financial crisis of the 20th century. Those earth shattering events were not enough to bring a closure of this irreplaceable marquee. Neiman’s inimitable presence still remained strong for over a century when even ¼ of businesses did not survive their first year. While the styles change with the seasons, the shopping environment of being in this storied building has remained everlasting to play a role in outfitting people’s proudest occasions and moments. Those who walked its halls were among the most famous people who ever lived. It has become a destination inviting visitors to step into the past where they could have an experience as part of their journey which is a luxury rarely afforded in our modern era of online stores. Shoppers knew that they were making a pilgrimage there instead of a mere trip because it was so much more than a store. If there is anything the past few years have taught, it is that spaces of connection and gathering do matter for our lives. Saks Global feels that tarnishing their reputation to their brand is worth the collateral damage this move will make. Hundreds of employees—many of whom have been with the company for several decades—will forfeit the jobs that they faithfully held. They deserve to be afforded dignity instead of an abrupt layoff. The ripple effects from suppliers to contractors to spending generated by tourism will be enormous, and will set a course for economic contraction instead of the downtown renaissance that had been hoped. Those traditions that came to define this community for so many families will die. Enormous pride of place will fizzle out.

Citizens of Dallas, do not overlook this benefaction for your children and all those that will come after them. This will be your shared legacy—and no real estate dispute. private equity deal, or corporate consolidation should ever be allowed to dictate it for you. The possible peril could not be higher: Commercial real estate brokers are already speculating that what will come next will be built from the ground-up, both sacrificing the building and the store for good. Following the valiant rebirth of cities like Miami and Detroit, those noted revivals have been through amplifying the history and sense of place as somewhere worth living, working with the past as an asset instead of replacing it. Neiman's is at the top of the list of all the institutions that form the backbone of Dallas. From the wares on display to maintaining the building itself, the store is one that champions the skills of trades like artisans, tailors, artists, sculptors, decorators. These are all more important than ever in creating a resilient workforce that will last amidst such uncertainty.

The guiding ethos of Neiman Marcus was to exceed the highest of expectations. With careful negotiation, collaboration, and guidance, the store can continue on as a contemporary beacon of beauty for young and old alike to remind us of who we are, where we came from, and imagine where we are going. The citizens of Dallas deserve nothing less than a plan that will honor with great reverence these original ideals of affirming quality, truth, and wisdom to the fullest that were pioneered by these forbearers a century ago. There is far too much at stake in accepting anything less than truly extraordinary.