FAO Schwarz Returns to Chicago with Midway Airport Grand Opening

FAO Schwarz is back in the Windy City.

The famed toy retailer opened its second airport location inside Midway International Airport on Chicago’s south side. FAO Schwarz Senior Experience Manager Anthony DiAmbrosio was on hand for the grand opening, leading a tour through the 1,000 square-foot location. In addition to a wide range of classic FAO-branded toys such as the piano mat, spinning tops, and signature plush, the Chicago location carries items from Melissa & Doug, Jazwares, GUND, and others.

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Under previous ownership, FAO Schwarz once operated a Chicago flagship store on Michigan Avenue, in addition to smaller, suburban locations such as Old Orchard. Those closed between 2002 and 2003.

The return to retail for FAO Schwarz has been moving at a brisk pace since the opening of its new flagship store at 30 Rockefeller Plaza in New York City last fall. ThreeSixty Group, owner of FAO Schwarz, has been swift in striking partnerships for brand expansion. The airport program is in partnership with Hudson Group, and launched with a location at LaGuardia Airport’s Terminal B. A store at Indianapolis International Airport is currently under construction.

ThreeSixty Group’s CEO David Conn recently took part in the Toy Book‘s annual State of the Industry Q&A series.

About the author

James Zahn

James Zahn, AKA The Rock Father, is Editor-in-Chief of The Toy Book, a Senior Editor at The Toy Insider and The Pop Insider, and Editor of The Toy Report, The Toy Book‘s weekly industry newsletter. As a pop culture and toy industry expert, Zahn has appeared as a panelist and guest at events including Comic-Con International: San Diego (SDCC) Wizard World Chicago, and the ASTRA Marketplace & Academy. Zahn has more than 30 years of experience in the entertainment, retail, and publishing industries, and is frequently called upon to offer expert commentary for publications such as Forbes, Marketwatch, the Wall Street Journal, the New York Times, USA Today, Reuters, the Washington Post, and more. James has appeared on History Channel’s Modern Marvels, was interviewed by Larry King and Anderson Cooper, and has been seen on Yahoo! Finance, CNN, CNBC, FOX Business, NBC, ABC, CBS, WGN, The CW, and more. Zahn joined the Adventure Media & Events family in 2016, initially serving as a member of the Parent Advisory Board after penning articles for the Netflix Stream Team, Fandango Family, PBS KIDS, Sprout Parents (now Universal Kids), PopSugar, and Chicago Parent. He eventually joined the company full time as a Senior Editor and moved up the ranks to Deputy Editor and Editor-in-Chief.