But even though the uptown store had weathered other recessions, it now faltered too.

Those kinds of personal relationships, Mr. Newhouse added, are unlikely in the larger, uptown stores.

No one who sold the uptown stores would sell us.

Just think: for a mere $5,000, you can join the new gym that is to open in January at Barney's uptown store.

Roger Thompson, the hair salon in Barney's downtown, will open a branch in the uptown store.

It is double the size of the uptown store.

Nick Marino, general manager of the uptown store, said that Dover Classics books, which sell for $1 or $2, are also popular.

The new paint, fixtures and increased emphasis on customer service in the neighboring uptown stores are not the only evidence of fear.

She opened the uptown store two years ago and the SoHo store six months later.

"Basically, we do not try to be any of the uptown stores," he said.