So much in store following 2004.

Here we are, once again in the midst of holiday shopping season and on the cusp of a brand new year.

While I await the arrival of 2005 and all of the promise that comes with a fresh start, I can't help but reflect on what an incredible year 2004 has been--the best since 1999, in fact.

One year ago, the retail market had begun to gain momentum. Deals were closing quickly and optimism was in the air, just in time for the 2003 Christmas season's arrival. While it was indeed a very Merry Christmas, that was just a taste of what we'd have in store, literally and figuratively, in 2004.

Following spectacular Hanukah and Christmas sales figures was a whole year of bigger, better and faster.

From the glamorous luxury retail market to the more accessible world of fast fashion and cheap chic, retail was back in a big way.

Openings, expansions and flagships graced each and every neighborhood of Manhattan. On the economic front, things also seemed to be cheerier, with Bush's reelection, a positive view of taxes, productivity numbers up and, at press time, prices dropping on crude oil. You can practically hear the New York City shoppers rejoicing.

Here's just a little sample of how this positive retail environment has manifested itself in each of Manhattan's neighborhoods:

Build-a-Bear decided to open its Fifth Avenue store, coming on the heels of the very successful American Girl Place. Gilan Jewelry of Turkey is opening a dazzling emporium at 743 Fifth Avenue in the former Ermenegildo Zegna space, while Catriona MacKeehnie has taken a shop in the Meatpacking District.

Family Inada, Japanese home furnishings boutique, will open its first U.S. store at 56th Street and Fifth Avenue in the Crown Building, with neighbors Beverly Feldman and Felissimo. Fendi, the LVMH Italian luxury giant, is slated to open Fall 2005 at 677 Fifth Avenue in the former Bruno Magli shop.

In the interim, they have set up a temporary boutique on Madison at 64th Street. FAO Schwarz unveiled its new store on Fifth Avenue, joining World of Disney that reopened in October. Zara also came to the Avenue this year and DeBeers will debut its first store on the East Coast shortly. Coach's continuing success story has resulted in expansion of the Fifth Avenue Flatiron store on the southwest corner of 16th Street and the upper Broadway boutique at 85th Street. Fifth Avenue and 19th Street will also be thrilled by the arrival of Kleinfield, with its royal selection of bridal wear. Flatiron will also soon see a delightful new Fresh store on Broadway, near world famous ABC.

The first department store in 50 years opened in the city, when Bloomingdale's went Downtown to Soho. Christian Louboutin will satisfy shoe addicts at Greenwich Street and Horatio Street. Sol showcases hot Brazilian fashion at 6 Prince Street next door to the new Yellow Door, 4 Prince Street, featuring high-end giftwear and contemporary jewelry. Ashley Tyler, celebrity designer, has set up shop in the former Soho Artists Workshop at 112 Greene Street.

Marisa Perry has opened a precious--gem jewelry workshop and store at 154 Prince Street. Sacco at 94 Seventh Ave at 16th St. is an accessory lover's paradise. Matrix Global Academy at 435 Hudson Street will feature a stylists' school as well as a boutique.

Jacques Torres Chocolate Haven is open at 350 Hudson Street. Great Jones Spa has opened at 29 Great Jones Street providing feng shui pampering. Trust Fund Baby, silky knits and cashmere, has opened at 239 Elizabeth Street. Phi will soon join the Soho mix, featuring European designers at 71 Greene Street and replacing Vivian Westwood. Y & Kei, hot new Korean label, opened their doors at 125 Greene Street. Sergio Rossi moved from Madison Avenue at 66th Street to the former Bottega Veneta store in Soho, at 108 Wooster. Tumi is now at 102 Prince Street.

Scott Mallory took space next to Charles Jourdan at 155 Spring Street. Moss home design concept store expanded to 35 West Broadway, at the corner on Houston Street. Bleecker Street continues to attract the best of the best with the addition of Scoop and Intermix, which now both call the corridor home. Venfieid from Paris will have a new home for its luxury antiques at 392 Bleecker Street, between Perry and W 11th Street, near Lulu Guinness.

The Soho neighborhood has been reinvigorated by new stores such as Lacoste, Links of London and Quicksilver.

In Noho, Bond Home Gallery is now at 19 Bond Street and, after leaving three years ago, Daryl K has returned to 21 Bond Street. In the West Village, The Tao of Living will arrive from Hong Kong at West 4th and Bank Street as an artistic design store.

In Chelsea, French designer Lucien Pellat-Finet has opened a boutique at 14 Christopher Street next door to Aedes de Venustas, parfumerie, at 9 Christopher Street. Optique by LensCrafters has taken two more shops on Sixth Avenue, at 13th Street and 20th Street. Chanel is also scouting for a boutique on Bleecker Street.

To the ever desirable Madison Avenue, formerly known as the Gold Coast, but now called the Jewel Coast because of the dozen new jewelers that have opened along its glittery length over the past year, there were a slew of new and prestigious names.

The jewelers came from all over--Monte Carlo, Geneva, and even Rome. Kielselstein-Cord will open a new store this month at 810 Madison Avenue and Domenico Vacca will move into the former Manfredi store at 702 Madison Avenue. Brite Smile will bring pearly whites to 903 Madison Avenue and 72nd Street.

Oscar De La Renta has opened a spectacular flagship at 772 Madison Avenue at 66th Street, in the former Sergio Rossi location.

Ralph Lauren Boys at 878 Madison Avenue at 72ndStreet will play nicely with their little siblings next door, Ralph Lauren Baby. Marmi will delight well-heeled urban shoppers with a footwear emporium at 519 Madison Avenue. At long last, La Perla opens their new flagship at 803 Madison to showcase elegant lingerie and ready-to-wear.

In Midtown, Chanel unveiled the redesigned flagship at 15 East 57th Street to great accolade. Park Avenue will be sweeter with the arrival of Pierre Marcolini, international chocolatier at 485 Park Avenue. H & M opened a ninth NYC store at 59th and Lexington steps away from Bloomingdales.

Stefano Rieci, luxury menswear, will debut as a two-story Florentine villa from the 1500's at 407 Park between 54thand 55th Streets. Clarins, luxury cosmetics and fragrance, is searching for a home on Columbus Avenue.

On the Upper East Side, Urban Outfitters will sell trendy street wear at a sixth location 999 Third Avenue and Boyd's will open a third luxury apothecary NYC store at 968 Third Avenue. Vanessa Noel can now be found selling her sexy shoes at 158 East 64th Street. American Apparel is taking the Ligne Roset store at 1090 Third Avenue at 64th Street, joining London's Molton Brown on the same block.

Over on the Upper West Side, Steven Alan will feature coveted labels at 465 Amsterdam Avenue and Boc is opening a boutique featuring rising designers at 491 Columbus Avenue. Kiehl's has debuted the 154 Columbus Avenue store and next month Boyd's of Madison Avenue will compete at 309 Columbus Avenue near 74th Street.

Scharffen Berger's handmade confections will satisfy chocolate cravings at 473 Amsterdam Avenue and 83rd Street. Zale's will open its tenth store in Manhattan later this month at 2230 Broadway, across from the new Barney's Co-Op.

The Shops at Columbus Circle have opened The Samsung Experience, a luxury high-tech playground at 10 Columbus Circle and Blair Deimonico will offer accessories at 30 West 60th Street.

On the 4th Floor joining the unparalleled restaurants and Jazz at Lincoln Center, Lockes Diamantaires will be a spectacular addition with walls brushed with diamonds and gold and silver leafed ceilings.

Designer Calvin Klein, along with cigar maker Davidoff and Princeton Running Company have also joined The Shops.

Over on Third Avenue, there were new entries. Molton Brown from London opened up, as did the much-awaited big box retailer Home Depot, a heaven sent for all the do-it-yourselfers.

The West Side had its share of activity, opening a brand new Bed Bath & Beyond and a Barneys Co-Op, sprinkled with a delightful new Kiehl's store.

I'm anticipating an even grander 2005 in the most fabulous shopping capital of the world--New York City. Now that's something to toast to.