closing of a paris shopping temple

la samaritaine department store, built in 1905 on the banks of the seine at pont neuf, will be closing for at least 6 years, it announced yesterday. apparently the structure of the building is in such bad shape that it will need 3 years to study the structure and another 3 to update and make renovations. so shoppers beware, as of june 15, you'll have to cross the samaritaine off your list. tant pis-- and just before the sales!