I'm Toronto born and raised and I hate what the Bay has done to its "flagship" store at Yonge and Queen - with the imposition of Saks, they've gone upscale in search of the elusive rich downtown elite client - here's a newsflash, Bay: there is no such person.. or, there are so few of them that the millions you dropped to renovate this store will probably go to waste.
I went to the store in December looking for a wallet for a gift. These used to be on the first floor along with essentials like scarves, gloves, umbrellas etc. That section is completely gone - I had to go up to the 5th floor to find a pathetic selection available of only five wallets. What a waste of my time.
Sure, if I need a $300 bottle of perfume or a $500 purse I will find it on the first floor, but really how many real people need that ?
I was at the store yesterday as well -- badly signed and got lost trying to get out and find Queen Street -- they've blocked or redirected the exits and entrances to accommodate Saks.
You've forsaken your bread and butter shopper - the average middle class person such as local office workers, in favour of some rich Russian gangster girlfriends who don't blink at dropping a few G's during afternoon shopping .... I don't think it's gonna work for you...