I had bought my engagement ring there. Then when the engagement broke up, they accepted the ring back and gave me full refund. I thought that was really nice of them in the circumstances.

I wish they had survived; I would visit them again if I wanted to purchase an engagement ring. It's sad that they won't be around to benefit from the customer loyalty they created.

Having been brought up near the malls and strip malls of Nassau County, LI, Fortunoff was a landmark institution that every Mother would take her daughter to at some point...I recall many a expedition where I was dragged as a boy who would have preferred visiting an electronic store to Fortunoffs with Mom and sis to check out what they had...

I too (like a lot of Metro New York folks) am deeply saddened by the closing of Fortunoffs. Back in 1992, my Wife and I registered for our Wedding there. Back then, registering at Fortunoffs felt mandatory. The store seemed to have everything and so many couples getting married then registered there. I can look around my house and see so many things bought at Fortunoffs over the years. But then Bed Bath and Beyond came on the scene and had so many more stores offering as much as Fortunoffs (except the jewelry). I think that is one of the key reasons (I’m sure among many) for its demise: different, perhaps better, stores like Bed Bath and Beyond stole their niche away. A poignant end but at least Fortunoffs never fell completely apart. Right to the end, the store had class.

If Fortunoff going belly-up isn't a harbinger of what's to come, I don't know what is.

Long Island managed to stave off nuclear winter after Grumman closed up shop by building more and more retail, but now that nobody can afford to shop, let alone pay astronomical property taxes... Fortunoff closing is the official death knell of Long Island. I am so glad I left.

It is unimangineable that we can make such strong connections to stores, take Bradlees for instance. Bradlees department store also had a death, if I may. Back in what 2002? or something like that, for what ever reasons, too much competition? Couldn't be? for all practial reasons, Bradlees was a great place to find value and good buys all under one roof. Kids clothes, fashion for less, of course in no way am I trying to make a comparison. But for what ever reasons, the underclass needs a place to shop as well. Now for those that can afford, or think they can afford the high prices at Fortunoff's it is fine and well. But there are many ways in which the consumer shops, and shops and shops. There is no end in sight, of places a consumer can shop. If I needed a half way decent pot, I could go to a Target, I can get lucky in a T.J.Maxx, Marshall's Home Goods, etc. But todays market is unbelievable, it is the first time, we are in a recession, but no matter were you go, the parking lots are full. Malls, upon strip malls, and other avenues, and small business are in business, and yet we didn't even get to the internet. I think, we need to ask our selves at what point do we ask, if shoping is a sickness as well, as what ever else we seem to believe that shoping is boss in this country. Is that what being American is symbolic of?