An upscale New York City lingerie store that once served A-list celebrities is closing because of high rent.

The iconic Peress store on the Upper East Side has been open for over 90 years.

During its heyday, the luxury store was popular with the likes of Jackie O, Joan Crawford, Barbara Walters, Madonna, Diana Vreeland, Brooke Astor and Gloria Vanderbilt.

The popular Madison Avenue store carried European lingerie, pajamas, nightgowns, socks and slippers.

Before closing time on August 15, the boutique advertised a 50 percent discount sale and the door sign read: “Only one customer at a time and only 10 minutes.”

An upscale New York City lingerie store that once served A-list celebrities is closing due to high rent

The iconic Upper East Side store called Peress has been open for more than 90 years

During his tenure, the luxury store was popular with the likes of Jackie O, Joan Crawford, Barbara Walters, Madonna, Diana Vreeland, Brooke Astor and Gloria Vanderbilt.

Romanian shop owner Bibi told the New York Times: “Everyone was crying because we had to leave.”

Pictured is Herbert Peress, the shop owner since 1977

“Every single customer – they regret that we are closing the store.”

One buyer, who wished to remain anonymous, said frankly: “My heart is already broken.”

Herbert Peress, the shop owner since 1977, praised Bibi highly.

He said: “Bibi is very protective of the store. Very respectful. And she’s working for me right now – she’s closing the store.”

The man who “avoided” the lingerie sale and left it to Bibi remembered the moment when he told her that the end was near.

He said: “When I told her, ‘Bibi, I’m closing the shop,’ she cried.”

Herbert confessed: “I cried. But it was time.”

The popular Madison Avenue store carried European lingerie, pajamas, nightgowns, socks and slippers

Before closing on August 15, the boutique advertised a 50 percent off sale and the door sign read: “Only one customer at a time and only 10 minutes.”

“My closest cousin and I were negotiating with the landlord. And I said, ‘Mike, you know what? I’m 88. I’m going to die in this business. I need to enjoy my life a little bit more.’

For Herbert, it was not just a business, but rather the foundation for the creation of his family as he knows it.

He lovingly explained that his paternal Iraqi Jewish line opened its first store on Kingsbridge Road in the Bronx in the 1920s.

Herbert’s mother was a Jewish immigrant from Poland who entered the store looking for silk stockings.

He said: “And at some point they ran away. So she went back to the store – that’s how my parents met.”

“And she says to him, ‘Would you fix it for me?’ He says, ‘Yes, I’ll fix it.’ That’s the origin of the Peress family.”

Herbert could not remember the exact year, but he shared that the lovebirds had married in either 1928 or 1929.

His older brother was born in 1930 and he himself was born in 1936.

In 1934, their business moved from the Bronx to Washington Heights and in 1955 settled permanently on Madison Avenue, where they paid $500 a month in rent.

Herbert said of the move: “They knew there was a different, slightly more upscale audience.”

Herbert said at the end of the deal, “I think the company is buying – no, leasing – 81st and Madison for a much higher rent than we’re paying.”

Crying, Herbert confessed: “They say you can’t fall in love with your business, but I did.”

The family kept a guest book until the 1960s.

In it, the family keeps the signatures of Joan Crawford and Eugene O’Neill, as well as of Liberace, who added a picture of a piano and the word “Love” next to his name.

In the 1970s, his mother asked if he could come and stay with her before he retired.

He noted, “And I did that because this business was in my blood and I finally found myself. It took me a few years to get there, but I thrived in it and grew from it.”

Herbert said at the end of the deal, “I believe the corporate group is buying – no, leasing – 81st and Madison for a much higher rent than we are paying.”

Crying, Herbert confessed: “They say you can’t fall in love with your business, but it happened to me.”

Herbert was not there during the store’s final days, choosing instead to stay at its nursing home, which was also on the Upper East Side.