Last day for FAO Schwarz

Hope Bell and her son, Patrick, 7, pose for photos between two of the “toy soldiers” in front of the FAO Schwarz toy store on Fifth Avenue in New York, Wednesday, July 15, 2015. Rising rent is forcing the tourist attraction out of its location on Fifth Avenue after 29 years. Schwarz brought the business to New York City in 1870, opening a toy store that would later be renamed FAO Schwarz and would move to various locations in New York City.

After 153 years, FAO Schwarz is looking for a new storefront to relocate to.

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It’s the end of an era – the final hours of the most iconic toy store in America.

“I didn’t think it was going to close because it has, like, the piano and stuff, and everybody loves that”, a 9-year-old girl who was at the store Tuesday told WCBS 880’s Marla Diamond.

Kids paradise… FAO Schwarz closes its doors after 145 years. The building occupies the entire block and is also home to a hugely popular Apple store, known for its large glass cube.

FAO Schwarz on Fifth Avenue, probably the best-known toy store in the world, is closing Wednesday night.

“It doesn’t have the same feel, and the same as the name FAO Schwarz”.

Working with landlord Boston Properties, Toys “R” Us opted not to renew its lease. According to reports, rent there would be a fraction of the cost, and the new store could be open by Christmas.

FAO Schwarz claims to be the oldest toy store in the United States. And in the meantime, Bloomberg notes that people can purchase FAO-specific toys online.