It's been a big year for New York City retail (and not just because Racked was born in March). This week, we'll relive the glorious highlights and gruesome lowlights. We've recapped the year's most ridiculous lines, saddest goodbyes, most menacing retail presences and the most notable Street Scenes. Now, we're tackling the year's most turbulent retail stretches.
Opening day at the Apple Store on 14th Street and Ninth Avenue
While stores come and go all over this town, this year there were a few neighborhoods that really evolved (or devolved, depending on your perspective). The following four ‘hoods were hotbeds of retail activity…
4) 14th Street in MePa: A ginormous new Apple Store had us christen the entire neighborhood the "iPacking District," but it wasn't the only arrival MePa weathered this year. Diane von Furstenberg's spectacular flagship opened in May, bringing chic wrap dresses to 14th and Washington. In September, word leaked that Hugo Boss would be taking space on 14th right next door to Apple (the store is still under construction). Meanwhile, we awaited new flagships for Poleci and Ports nearby. Though the 'hood welcomed many newcomers this year, it also lost delicious pastry purveyor Little Pie Company and housewares shop Bodum, which may or may not be relocating to Soho.
MEATPACKING—The 14th Street outpost of the Little Pie Company is no more, according to a tipster who emailed over the holiday break. The note, complete with emoticon: "14th St. Meatpacking store/coffee shop closing Christmas. :,-( I am so sorry that this location is closing. I live in the neighborhood and love their pie. Their cherry and apple pies come closest to the ones my mom used to make. Outrageous rent increase...so adios..... (btw same story goes for the Bodum store a few doors west)." The Shophound 
