The other day I was in the Loop and thought I would use the opportunity to enjoy the windows at Macy’s and see how they compared to the ones I enjoyed as a child. They were lovely and had the traditional movement. The theme this year was the history of this great store. By the second window, however, it became painfully obvious that the name “Marshall Field’s” was conspicuously and deliberately missing. The clock, for example, was called the Great State Street Clock.
How foolish can they be? Macy’s is privileged to possess one of the most historic and admired properties in Chicago. They should be turning this to their advantage and touting it as “Macy’s Marshall Field’s”. By continuing to carry a chip on their shoulder and continually disrespecting Marshall Field’s they are,by extension, disrespecting the millions who loyally shopped there. When I told one of my friends about the windows she cancelled a planned meal at the Walnut Room.
Someone at Macy’s needs to re-watch “Miracle on 34th Street” and see how Kris Kringle’s references to a rival store create good will that actually lead to increased sales. In this case it isn’t even a rival, it is an asset they own and are throwing away.
— Joyce Porter, Oak Park
