Employees put together 900 Justin Bieber "Someday" perfume gift packs at the Herald Square location.

WSJ: Macy's Black Friday Plan: Boots, Bieber

There were many bargain tables on the main floor in the Herald Square store.

FORBES: Macy's New Focus: Will Transformation Bring Customer Growth?

Albert Keen founded the restaurant in 1885 in what was then the Theater District, Herald Square.

CNN: 10 of America's best historic restaurants

The city's latest anti-smoking measures cover public golf courses and sports grounds as well as plazas like Herald Square.

BBC: New York's outdoor smoking ban: Will the world follow?

Christopher Laluz joined Wednesday's line in Herald Square at 7 a.m.

WSJ: Nike's Footwork Yields Long Lines

Since that time, the Herald Square store has had many renovations.

FORBES: Macy's New Focus: Will Transformation Bring Customer Growth?

Macy's ordered 6, 000 of the pillows for Black Friday this year after selling out its supply of 3, 000 at Herald Square last year, Ms. Lee said.

WSJ: Macy's Black Friday Plan: Boots, Bieber

"The difference between how it operates today and how it will operate when it's totally closed is going to be minimal to Midtown, " said Dan Biederman, president of the 34th Street Partnership, a private, nonprofit organization of Herald Square-area businesses that work on improving the neighborhood.

WSJ: City Prepares For a Chilly Super Bowl