The real Macy’s Department Store on 34th Street in New York City was used for filming the 1994 remake of Miracle on 34th Street.
What is the name of the department store in the 1994 Miracle on 34th Street remake?
The 1994 remake uses the fictional "Coles Department Store" in place of Macy’s.
Director Les Mayfield swapped in "Coles" to dodge legal headaches with the real Macy’s, which sat out the remake entirely. It’s a playful jab at the original 1947 film’s Macy’s vs. Gimbels rivalry. According to IMDb, the name stuck through scripting and set design. Fans of the original will spot Coles doing the same job Macy’s did in 1947.
Was the real Mr Macy in Miracle on 34th Street?
No, the real Mr Macy was not portrayed on screen.
Actor Harry Antrim played Mr. R.H. Macy in the 1947 original—not some actual department-store tycoon. The real Rowland Hussey Macy founded the store in 1858, but he died in 1877, decades before cameras rolled. IMDb backs up Antrim’s casting, which adds period flavor without pretending to be a documentary. These days, Macy’s archives even joke about the film’s creative liberties.
Was Macy’s at Coles?
No, Macy’s was not involved with the fictional Coles in the 1994 remake.
Macy’s said “no thanks” to the remake, so Coles stepped in as the stand-in. The old Macy’s vs. Gimbels feud became Coles vs. Shopper’s Express—Gimbels had vanished in 1987 anyway. It’s a neat trick: keep the holiday magic without any real-world store ties.
Is Kris Kringle Santa Claus?
Yes, Kris Kringle is Santa Claus.
Kris Kringle is just another name for Santa in American Christmas lore. Both the 1947 and 1994 films hinge on that identity. The name drifts from German and Dutch roots, as we’ll see later. Britannica traces how “Kringle” got glued to Santa through 19th-century holiday storytelling.
Where is the house in Miracle on 34th Street 1994?
The house used in the 1994 remake is located in Lake Forest, Illinois.
While the 1947 version shot in New York, the remake ducked out to a private home in suburban Chicago. The place has popped up on real-estate listings lately, turning heads among holiday-film tourists. Property records and local news confirm its movie pedigree through telltale architectural quirks.
How old is Santa Claus Miracle on 34th Street?
In the context of the 1947 film, Kris Kringle is portrayed as an elderly man in his 60s or 70s.
The 1947 version keeps him squarely in senior-citizen territory, matching classic Santa vibes. They never pin down a birth year, but the white hair and beard scream “well past middle age.” Britannica calls Santa ageless in myth, though pop culture sometimes pegs him at about 1,750 years old, counting from Saint Nicholas. The 1994 remake doesn’t mess with that look.
What does the ending of Miracle on 34th Street mean?
The ending suggests Kris Kringle’s magical abilities are real.
In the final shot, Kris guides Susan and Fred to a house that materializes exactly as he predicted. That feels like a supernatural nudge rather than luck. Film scholars read it as proof he’s the real Santa. The ending leaves wiggle room—maybe it’s a miracle, maybe it’s a fluke—but the tone leans toward magic. Critics say it locks in the movie’s belief-and-wonder theme.
Who owns Miracle on 34th Street?
Miracle on 34th Street (1947) was distributed by 20th Century Fox.
| Title | Distributor | Release Date | Runtime | Country |
|---|
| Miracle on 34th Street (1947) | 20th Century Fox | June 11, 1947 | 96 minutes | United States |
Fox shepherded the original from production to marketing, even though other studios pitched in. The 1994 remake went through Interscope Communications but still rolled out under the same Fox banner. Today Fox still controls both versions for TV and streaming.
Are there any Gimbels stores left?
No, all Gimbels stores have been defunct since 1987.
| Store Name | Status | Fate | Successor | Headquarters |
|---|
| Gimbels | Defunct 1987 | Liquidation | None | New York, New York, United States |
Gimbels started in Philly, grew into New York and beyond, then filed for bankruptcy in 1986 and liquidated the next year. The New York Times covered the collapse in retail history books. By 1994, the chain was ancient history—perfect fodder for a fictional rival in the remake.
Is there a Coles store in New York?
No, the fictional "Coles" in the 1994 remake does not exist in New York or anywhere else.
Coles was cooked up just for the film as Macy’s stand-in. Unlike Gimbels, which was real, Coles lives only on screen. The crew shot in New York, but no store by that name exists. According to IMDb, the name was picked for its phonetic punch and classic department-store feel.
What are the two department stores in Miracle on 34th Street?
The two department stores are Macy’s and Gimbels in the 1947 version, and Coles and Shopper’s Express in the 1994 remake.
The original pits Macy’s against Gimbels, with Kris Kringle sending shoppers to Gimbels for better deals. By 1994, Gimbels was gone, so the remake invented Coles and Shopper’s Express. Both versions lean on the rivalry to spotlight generosity and holiday cheer. The store names are pure nostalgia fuel.
Is Santa still alive in 2020?
No, Santa Claus is not alive in 2020.
Archaeologists announced in 2017 they’d identified Saint Nicholas’s tomb in Demre, Turkey. The 4th-century bishop who inspired Santa died around 343 AD. Modern Santa is a cultural icon, but the real St. Nick has been gone for centuries. National Geographic covered the find, pinpointing the Church of St. Nicholas.
Is Santa Claus still alive in 2021?
No, Santa Claus is not alive in 2021 either.
Every December, jokes circulate that Santa is 1,750 years old based on St. Nicholas’s timeline. But even those jokes admit he’s not kicking around today. The 2021 version is pure internet mischief, not fact. History.com reminds us Santa’s a mythic figure, not a living person.
Why is Kris Kringle called Santa Claus?
Kris Kringle is called Santa Claus due to Dutch and German linguistic evolution.
“Santa Claus” started as the Dutch “Sinterklaas,” itself a squeeze of “Sint-Nikolaas” (Saint Nicholas). When English speakers rushed the pronunciation, it morphed into “Santa Claus.” Meanwhile, Pennsylvania Dutch communities spun out “Kris Kringle.” Britannica shows how both names merged in 19th-century America, cementing Santa’s modern image.
What street does Krissy Kringle live on?
The made-up address is pure holiday whimsy, doubling down on the Christmas vibe. Unlike the 1947 focus on Macy’s and Manhattan streets, the remake plants Kris in a cozy suburb. IMDb lists Candy Cane Lane as his home turf, courtesy of Hilarie Burton’s portrayal. The name screams candy-cane charm while keeping the film light and fun.
