Scottsdale FAO Schwarz is 1st of 5 planned in AZ

The first and biggest Arizona FAO Schwarz store inside a Macy's plans to debut Sept. 10 in Scottsdale Fashion Square - a few dozen yards from where the New York-based toy store closed its only Arizona shop seven years ago.

Macy's also plans to open smaller FAO Schwarz stores in Biltmore Fashion Park, Chandler Fashion Center, Arrowhead Mall in the West Valley and Tucson.

Those additional locations, which will be about a quarter of the size of the 1,000-square-foot store-within-a-store planned for Fashion Square, are expected to open in October.

Macy's announced in May that it forged a deal with the 146-year-old retailer to carve out space for full-size FAO Schwarzoperated toy stores inside 75 Macy's nationwide this fall, and smaller versions in 200 additional locations.

Eventually, all Macy's stores that have children's clothing departments will get some version of an FAO Schwarz, said Jim Sluzewski, Macy's spokesman.

MORE MALL NEWS

A/X Armani finally opened at Fashion Square just above the center court on the top level.

Also on the upper level of the downtown Scottsdale shopping mall but in the Dillard's wing, jewelry store Duo has new owners and a new name - Studio Vincent.

SUPERMARKET OPENING

A new Scottsdale AJ's is slated to open Saturday at DC Ranch.

That's at 18271 N. Pima Road, south of Union Hills Road and north of Loop 101.

The newest version of Chandler-based Bashas' upscale supermarket chain will be smaller than the typical AJ's - about 18,000 square feet.

That's similar to the store dubbed "AJ's Petite," which recently opened in Chandler.

But it will feature all AJ's favorite departments and services, including a wood-fired pizza oven, boulangerie, sushi and gelato bars, an extensive wine section, prepared meals-to-go, catering services, flowers and made-to-order gift baskets, and an outdoor barbecue with patio seating.

It's the sixth Scottsdale AJ's, the third built north of Loop 101.

AND ANOTHER

At 10,000 square feet, the second Scottsdale Fresh & Easy Neighborhood Market opened Wednesday at 7129 E. Shea Blvd.

That's on the southwest corner of Shea and Scottsdale Road in the shopping center featuring BevMo.

The United Kingdom-based supermarket chain plans a five-day-long grand opening celebration for the new store.