Department stores – especially the “grand old ladies” in cities’ downtowns – had a way of becoming an important part of the social fabric in their markets. But a variety of economic and demographic factors have resulted in many such stores closing in recent decades. Now joining that parade is the Macy’s in Philadelphia’s City Center.
That store is one of 66 more locales the retailer announced it would close this year as part of an ongoing restructuring program. But to Philadelphians, this Macy’s is more than just a number – it’s a slice of the city’s life.
Among those to recounting that role is Philadelphia Inquirer columnist Stephanie Farr, who wrote, in part:
“It’s where the price tag was invented, where the 1987 cheesefest of the movie “Mannequin” was filmed and where countless generations of Philadelphians worked, shopped and gathered to get in the holiday spirit — the Wanamaker Building.
“The grand ol’ dame of a department store at 13th and Market Streets in Center City not only sold many hats in its 114 years, it has worn many, too. Since John Wanamaker’s closed in 1995, it’s been a Hecht’s, Strawbridge’s, Lord & Taylor, and most recently, a Macy’s. But after 18 years, Macy’s is closing Sunday, and nobody knows the next time the storied space will be open to the public.
“After a final day of recitals on Saturday on the Wanamaker Grand Court Organ, it’s unclear when people might be able to hear the instrument — one of the largest working pipe organs in the world — played again for free, as it has been six days a week for decades.”
Farr notes that real estate company TF Cornerstone, which owns part of the building and is expected to buy the rest, said it will preserve the organ. “But Macy’s still owns it, along with the Eagle statue in the store’s center court (an iconic meetup spot); the Christmas light show (a holiday staple for nearly seven decades); and the Dickens Village of dead-eyed animatronics (which has fueled Christmas nightmares for almost 40 years).”
The columnist said Macy’s didn’t return her multiple requests for comment on what it intends to do with those Philadelphia icons, “and as far as I can tell, the company hasn’t told anyone else either, which is kind of a Gimbels move. Here I thought Macy’s was the good guy in ‘Miracle on 34th Street.’”
Farr then proceeds to spend several hours in the store’s center court gathering their reminiscences from passersby of the store — including one who wished Bloomingdale’s would swoop in and buy it. Finally, the writer concludes: “… Despite being the home of the price tag, you could never put one on the greatest gift to ever come out of the store — the memories generations of Philadelphians made there.”