It's a sad day for us Chicagoans as Macy's Prepares to take over Marshall Field's. Now, don't get us wrong: Macy's is a wonderful store and one of our NYC favorites. Georganne's Mom worked there before she was married, and the Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade was a big part of George's childhood. She still gathers the entire family around the television on Thanksgiving morning and, together, they watch it from start to finish.
But it's still sad to say good-bye to the Marshall Field name.
September 7, 2006 is the official name switch day when Marshall Field's will become Macy's. The Chicago Sun Times reports September 7 will "launch weekend for what Chicagoans will remember as either a time of infamy or reinvention."
Macy's in coming to Chicago with a BANG! They're pulling out all the stops with a series of SHOPPERTAINMENT events. (See? Even the big guys love Shoppertainment -- because IT WORKS to attract customers. Hint, hint. Whatcha got planned for YOUR store in the coming months?)
September 7: The Macy's changeover starts with a "vertical shopping party" exclusive to Marshall Field's-Macy's flagship store on State Street. The event will feature a passport to guide shoppers to the store's new private-brand boutiques and expanded shops.
September 8: The Macy's on State Street will launch its sixth "Distinction and Design" competition for fledgling local fashion designers, and open a shop where local designers can sell their wares.
September 9: Children are the focus on "Family Fun Day," featuring costumed characters such as the Green Dog, representing Macy's exclusive children's clothing line, mother-daughter beauty events and cooking classes.
September 11: On the fifth anniversary of the terrorist attacks, Macy's employees will volunteer at schools, libraries and hospitals and do random acts of kindness such as paying for a commuter's bus ticket or buying someone coffee. The volunteerism is part of Federated Department Stores' "Partners in Time" program to encourage community service.
September 28: Beyonce and Tina Knowles will appear at a benefit opening for their House of Dereon shop. Beyonce will be the headline performer at Glamorama on September 29.
November 11: Holiday windows of Mary Poppins will open, and designer Vera Wang will light the Great Tree. Wang will design the tree's ornaments and tree-topper to highlight Field's 100th anniversary partnership with Wedgwood china. *
Marshall Field's is not just a department store to those of us who live in Chicago, it's a tradition. We're grateful that Macy's has promised keep the 45-foot the Great Tree that's decorated each holiday season with 25,000 glittering lights. We're excited that we will still be able to hold our Kizer / Bender family holiday dinner at The Walnut Room. And we're glad that Macy's is also keeping Field's fabulous holiday windows and the Glamorama fashion show.
If you're coming to Chicago for The Craft & Hobby Association's Summer Show July 21 -- July 23 maybe we can plan a road trip! Click here for more information or to register for the CHA Summer Show: http://www.chaweb.org/eweb/startpage.aspx?site=eweb_2006S
