While some Chicagoans continue to protest the name change from Marshall Field's to Macy's at the city's landmark department store , I am learning to love it. See, I live across the street at State and Randolph.

Now, I know that the very idea of a department store seems quaint. Department stores have lost their luster as they struggle to compete on the low end with discounters, in the middle with brand name clothing retailers who carry their own brands exclusively, and at the top end with exclusive boutiques.

I'm certainly not crazy about a store that jams its clothing onto hard to negotiate racks and sometimes pays too little attention to their display.

When I needed towels, I headed up to the 7th floor where I found a 25-year veteran store employee who definitely knew her way about the merchandise. She was an expert in the subject of towels. If I need an alteration or my clothes cleaned, there is a nice young Asian woman in the Annex who can help. For a great salad -- better than anything Whole Foods has to offer -- I head to the basement restaurant. The women at the Chanel counter on the Main Floor can touch up my make-up on Friday afternoon, and I found the exact travel bag I was looking for at the Levenger counter. Elsewhere in the store, there are books, newspapers, candy (lots of it), wine, hosiery, jewelry, dog beds, soap, and so much more.

And unlike so many other stores, the employees I've encountered actually know what they are doing. Now rare in the retail business, they have longevity.

Even when I exit my building, Macy's constantly changing window displays light up the street. And if I look up, the building's historic clocks keep me on time.

Everyone should find a real department store to live near. As a neighbor, a department store like this one is hard to beat.

There are no comments for this entry.

Post a Comment

*Name:

E-mail Address:

URL:

*Comment:

Please type this word:

*required fields. your email address will not be published

Please leave the following field blank: