11/21/2007
Today I spent some time at the former Marshall Field’s store in downtown Columbus’ City Center. The store had changed hands from Marshall Field’s to Kaufmann’s and now Macy’s. In 10 days it will close erasing the last of downtown department store shopping in Columbus. A few boutique stores remain, but not much else. Columbus City Center is an example of another failed downtown shopping plaza similar to St. Louis Centre.
Several of the remaining employees worked for Marshall Field’s when the store first opened. You can tell by talking to them that they are experienced, seasoned professionals. Finding these types at Macy’s is increasingly difficult as many have been replaced for lower paying “cashier” positions. But go into any Macy’s in Mid-Ohio and try to find someone to wait on you. Good Luck!
Last week I visited the former Lazarus location at Polaris and glanced through the housewares area. I was shocked when an associate came up to me and asked to help. She then explained that she was watching 3 departments. We chatted about the new line from Martha Stewart, I couldn’t even walk through the area because it’s totally hideous. Although green and blue are my favorite colors, their convergence in this area brings on a feeling of nausea. I was really surprised when Macy’s dropped most of the Cuisinart kitchen accessories line in favor of hers. If I wanted K-Mart, I would shop there.
In any event, it’s sad to see this beautiful location closing. When it was opened, Marshall Field’s commissioned a clock to be built similar to the ones on the 111 State Street store in Chicago. Although it doesn’t have that familiar green it’s still a great icon of this store and its past. The store also bears resemblance to the State Street store by the fencing that looks down over each floor.
When it comes down to it, Macy’s (previously Federated) has a history of closing some of these great downtown landmark stores. Here are a few I could think of.
1. Lazarus – Columbus City Center - Closed 2004
2. Marshall Field’s / Kaufmann’s / Macy’s – Columbus City Center - Closing 2007
3. Davisons’s / Macy’s – Peachtree Street Atlanta – Closed 2003
4. Horne’s / Lazarus - Penn Avenue & Stanwix Street Pittsburgh – Closed 1995
5. Lazarus - Fifth Avenue & Wood Street Pittsburgh – Closed 2004
6. Bamberger’s - 131 Market Street New Jersey – Closed 1992
7. Rich’s – Downtown Atlanta – Closed 1991
Another Macy’s will be closing soon which was also a previous Marshall Field’s / Kaufmann’s location at Tuttle Crossing Mall, (Macy’s at Hayden Run). The Hayden Run location is much more elegant and inviting than the overcrowded feel you get at the former Lazarus at the other end of the mall. It still bears the Marshall Field’s green marble at its entrance. You can tell it’s slated for closing from the tacky plastic banners hanging on the building. I’m surprised that Dublin doesn’t have something to say about that since they are so particular about building and signs. When I moved here I couldn’t tell where anything was because all buildings must be brick and road signs are practically invisible. Maybe Dillard’s will come in and offer Columbus some choice. Anyway I digress.
I also recently heard the rumor that the former Lazarus (now Macy’s) at Kingsdale will be closing. This is probably one of the last of the old-school Lazarus buildings left in service. It was built in 1970 and has a unique finish of blue bricks. Although it’s not a big store, it has some charm of the past. Many of the employees there were also long time Lazarus employees.
In closing, ubiquitous shopping has taken over America. Regional gems such as Marshall Field’s, Lazarus, Filene’s, Kaufmann’s, LS Ayres, Famous-Barr, Burdines, The Bon Marche, Strawbridge’s, May, Robinson’s, Hetch’s, Foley’s, Abraham & Straus, Stern’s, Meier & Frank, Hudson’s, Dayton’s, Bonwit Teller, Rich’s are all gone. Yes, you could find some of the same items at each store but the store’s presence and name made a shopping trip exciting! Each store had something unique about it. Many of us have wonderful memories about these stores, giving us reasons to go back. Where have the traditions gone that differentiated these stores from JC Penney or Sears? These traditions are what made the store part of their respective communities.
How can Macy’s think that a big parade will compensate for all the local traditions that have been lost?
