A trip to any city, even Philadelphia would not be complete without a visit to a wonderful shopping emporium, especially one of the past. For years since 1876 that would have been John Wanamaker's in Philly. John Wanamaker had been there since it's inception right up to 1998 when it was taken over first by Woodward & Lothrop, followed by Hechts, Lord and Taylor and then bought out by Macys. But the end of an era is now reality for the grande dame as Macy's announced in it's store closings, this flagship is going to be shuttered. Wannamaker's had been open since 1861 in it's original location, before moving to the Market Street location in 1876, so this will mark the first time this cavernous, granite palace, that occupies a whole city block, will have it's doors shut for good. At least till the company that owns the building can figure out what will come of the building.
When John Wanamaker's first opened on Market Street, it was 13 floors of higher end and luxury collections of clothing, designer boutiques, home furnishings, cosmetics, jewelry and a fine shoe salon. In addition, there was the in-store tailor shop, millinery shop, flower shop, bridal salon, housewares, china, and gift departments and an incredible food hall of all kinds of earthly delights. There wasn't anything this store didn't have. John Wanamaker really was a groundbreaking merchant, though the interior of his store today I'm sure looks quaintly old fashion to visitors today, not use to seeing the grand scale and elegance of the building itself. The building is incredible. Wanamaker designed the emporium to be large, grand and majestic, with a breathtaking center court and of course the crown jewel...the world's largest pipe organ on the balcony with pipes soaring two floors up, and a maze of pipes in addition behind the scenes that soar floors up and all over the building. The sound of the organ in this place sounded amazing, and at times could vibrate the building. The organ has over 28,000 pipes, and is famed for the delicate, orchestra-like beauty of it's tone, as well as it's incredible building vibrating power. It was a must to see if in Philly. He also had a had a huge cast bronze eagle that weighed in a 8 tons and had to have the floor reinforced to house it on the main floor. It often was a meeting place for many to meet in Philly and the phase, "Meet me at the Eagle" was and is still often heard.
Most pictures are mine... and others from the net, from over the years.
Nothing quite beats the luxury emporiums of the past.
ReplyDeleteOut here in California my grandparents shopped at the Emporium, I Magnin and City of Paris in San Francisco. My grandmother and her mother would take my aunts window shopping at I Magnin and the City of Paris, and buying them school clothes at the Emporium when my aunts were kids. Then it was off to the Garden Court at the Palace Hotel for lunch.
In the late 1950’s the family left San Francisco for Los Angeles and its three B’s : Bullocks, Buffums and the Broadway. By that time great granma was gone, and granma took the girls shopping for young women’s clothing, stopping off at the Coral Room and Estrella Room at Bullocks for lunch, the coconut cake was a favorite. Other times it would be the Round Robin or the Pink Tent at JW Robinsons, the luncheon sandwich of date nut bread and cream cheese was also a favorite. Gradually the great emporiums all got swallowed up by Federated Department Stores aka Macy’s, thanks to business and financial deregulation in the 1980’s, Reaganomics anyone ?! Deregulation, another word for legalized grift and theft.
Thankfully the incredible Garden Court is still around serving food in the grand manner.
-Rj
Oh yes, I remember well I Magnin, as well as Bullocks and JW Robinsons well on trips out west when we use to go out there to visit some of my father's relatives. That store was incredibly beautiful. It was a sad day when I heard they went down, and from a Macy's. Which is why I despise them. Every company they tried to mentor or take over failed and eventually closed or got renamed to a Macy's. Which made me very nervous when they took over the Wanamaker Building after Lord and Taylor closed. They also took over Bloomingdales while I was working there in visual, and then ultimately laid off support in the whole company, right up to the creative director... during the early days in the pandemic. And closed a few stores...Mind you Bloomingdales was and is still doing well, and basically carrying Macys, which they take the back lash out on Bloomingdales, their saving grace bread and butter. They finally woke up and stopped doing that and even opened four new Bloomingdales stores. Even though Macy's owned them, Bloomingdales still had it's own CEO and President. While Macys still is cutting more stores, some 360 this year. I hope they go under. They kill everything they take over, and their stores couldn't be more of a snooze fest. Thanks for your comment...I always enjoy hearing of old department stores and personal stories with them.
DeleteI LOVED this post! Your personal connection to the store like so many in Philly have had. William and I shopped John Wanamakers forever, and it was a sad day when it closed, but the others that followed did I great job keeping the store going. It was sad when Macy's took over and cut the floors down to three floors from the 8 that had been cut down from the original 13. And even still, cut off the floor from the perimeter outside walls, closing off beautiful works of architecture and perimeter boutiques and salons. But thanks heavens they came to their senses and opened them back up and over saw a restoration on the organ which was quite shocking. But mostly due to the Friends of the Wanamaker Organ which I'm a member. It will seem odd for many to not hear the organ daily, and it also won't do any for the organ sitting quite for too long either. I have enjoyed your many posts on the organ and the store over all these years. I hope you enjoy the last concert...I may plan to go too.
ReplyDeleteWell Agnes I did just read an article that said that the current landlords would prefer a high-end luxury retailer to come in and take over the first two floors. That would probably be amazing. Heaven's knows the luxury boutiques on market and Chestnut streets both do phenomenal. Who has time to drive out to kop all the time?
Delete“At Wanamakers and Saks and Klein's a lesson I've been taught. You can't get alterations on a dress you haven't bought.” I have never been there, but always knew about it. I hope something wonderful will fill the space. Thanks for sharing so many great posts on Wanamakers over the years.
ReplyDeleteIt's a shame you and SanGeradlo never got to see or hear the organ.... the store is quite something to see, for the architecture alone. Bonwit tellers that used to be in Philly also met the same fate. A very elegant swank department store ended up becoming a discount retailer equivalent to TJ Maxx. It's a shame cuz when you go inside it looks like a dump.
DeleteThis brings back so many memories. Especially shopping there w/my mom and grandmother, both gone now. And the Christmas displays! I am glad at least parts of the store will remain.
ReplyDeleteBoy, wasn't John wanamakers Hay Day something? That store was just so incredible looking and a selection of things they carried. You can get everything under one roof.
DeleteWHAT!!!! I can't imagine that store being shuttered! Wanamakers had the most wonderful fabric department, where I sometimes spent lunch hours when I lived in Philly, when I was working in the city as a twenty-something. It was such an amazing store! And to hear that organ. It is one of the two most amazing store, the other being Harrods, but they don't have a huge organ like that. Thanks for the trip down memory lane! And thank heavens the building will not meet the wrecking ball.
ReplyDeleteI hate and loathe Macys for the reason you stated. And their CEO is nothing but a blood sucking power hungry, money grabbing bastard, typical Republican. I hope they too go under and, at the rate their closing stores if shouldn't be long. Beside they only carry the most boring shit and has been designers anymore. Hell, they were privileged to even be in a building as grand as Wanamakers. And that organ is insane. I never knew about till your posts.
ReplyDeleteI can only image how you feel. And it's sad what we accept as a shopping experience now. Shopping was more than just buying...it was a whole experience to enjoy. At least the building and the organ will not be demolished or moved. I mean could someone buy the organ and move it if the building were sold off??? I was there often when I lived in Philly, and couldn't imagine the city without a department store there. Or hearing the organ.
ReplyDeleteOh my goodness...they could move the organ, if the building would ever sell off, but it would be extremely costly and probably years to dismantle the organ and all the vast pipes that intertwine up floors. Not to mention the venue or museum would have to be huge to house this fine instrument. The organ visible from my pictures on the balcony is only the cosmetic part that the public sees, with just a handful of pipes. The real majority of the pipes and workings are all behind that organ and sore up floors with pocket all over the building for the sound to be heard.
DeleteVery sad but I'm glad the Wanamaker organ and other historical artefacts will be preserved. I'm sure there will be many tears at the final concert before dormancy begins.
ReplyDeleteIt would make a great all suite hotel, with the atrium left just as it is, and open for events. There is an older bank office tower down the street that was converted to a hotel, that is wonderful.
ReplyDeleteI think a hotel has been ruled out. The upper floors from floor 6 up are already offices. Last I read the owners seem to still want some kind of luxury retail space to come back, as response from people questioned on the street what they'd like to see...we shall see. I still think a concert venue would be amazing with the acoustics.
DeleteI hope the building is saved and put to good use for the interiors alone. I like Travel's idea for a hotel; luxury and history!
ReplyDeleteHuntleyBiGuy:
ReplyDeleteOh Maddie, I’m so sorry to hear about this. I always loved your Wanamaker posts. Hopefully it will be respectfully resurrected.
I'm betting they turn the upper floors into expensive condos, and the middle floors will be office suites, with the lower floors becoming smaller retail outlets.
ReplyDeleteThe very top upper floors are already Apartments, and the middle floors are all offices. So if anybody goes in they only have to worry about three floors. From what I understand the ground floor has to completely stay intact.
DeleteI'm sickened and saddened when any Historically Significant Building or Structure is in peril and Closed, since, Today nobody much Cares about the History and sadly, Quality and Experience has been replaced with mass production and Inexperienced Mediocrity that just all costs less and is in higher demand by a very Uncultured devolving Society IMO. Most would rather now Shop Online or have someone Shop for them and Deliver or do Curbside Pickup and it's replacing most Traditional forms of Retail. The Art of Display, don't even get me started on how unappreciated it is, along with most of the Arts these days. Even in Schools they defunded the Arts so much they barely exist now and like you said, most Employers can't be Trusted anymore not to Shaft their Employees and consider them mere Commodities and not part of the Community. They'd replace us all with Robotics if they can save a Buck. I think Dave could be Right, but if it preserves the Building, it might at least Save it from the Wrecking Ball or remaining Vacant too long that it is laid to waste and neglect from nobody spending Money to Maintain it while empty. Glad you have the Memories.
ReplyDelete"Quality and Experience has been replaced with mass production and Inexperienced Mediocrity" that sums are beautiful and I couldn't agree more. It's sad people don't take more pride and quality items. I would much rather spend more money and have something that's going to last. But at least this building is on the national historic landmarks so it definitely will not be torn down, and it would be too costly and expensive to remove that work into another location that thing is massive.
DeleteWhat a splendiferous building; I hope they can find a use for it that will aid all Philadelphians.
ReplyDeleteI still think they should turn it in to some kind of event space or concert venue possibly an art gallery or Art Museum of some sort. Plus you have that glorious organ to supply the music.
DeleteI can totally see why they are closing down.
ReplyDeleteIt's the end of an era. Bezos has cheapened shopping so much that these institutions become obsolete. Also, people just stay home and shop from their LazyBoy. Ugh. Such slops.
Love the pics and the history.
I'm sure they'll transform the building into something (it's money, honey) and I hope they don't touch the organ, even if it's never played again....
XOXO
It would be a complete shame if they never play that organ again. It's the only organ in the world to my knowledge that can completely resemble the sound of the symphony orchestra from its console panel not to mention has more sounds since it has over 28,000 pipes. When I had a tour of the store for my ex boss, they have the whole crew of people that maintain that organ on a daily basis. There's nothing in the world like it.
DeleteThis is a sad time, indeed. I hope another retailer calls it home. Please dear God, don't let it become an Amazon Fresh or Whole Foods.
ReplyDeleteI definitely don't think a grocery store is going to go in, I think it's a stipulation whatever goes in has to use all three floors.
DeleteThank heavens it is a Historical marker. Here, all we do with old buildings is implode or raze them. It's such a damn shame. The architect who came up with the "wing" design for the hotels has only one left still standing here - the rest have been torn down and replaced with things like fake castles and pyramids and Eiffel towers.....
ReplyDeleteThat's why I never want to go to Las Vegas. I think it looks like one of the most fabricated movie set tacky cities there is.... just gaudy.
DeleteHow fantastical. I rather dislike shrines to consumerism, but this one certainly offers a lot for the eyes. Thanks for sharing. Thing is... there is tradition here. History. A place like the Mall of Embarrassment (MOA) here in Minneapolis... well, it's souless. This, on the other hand? Absolutely occupied by ghosts.
ReplyDeleteJohn Warner Bakers was in the Heyday of when you got very good customer service. The only department store to my knowledge where you can get that kind of service anymore is Bergdorf Goodman. The thing with John Wanamaker's is they always did a lot with local artist musicians and the Arts which was nice.
DeleteVery grand looking building.
ReplyDeleteWhat a shame -- another wonderful shopping experience bites the dust. Soon all that will be left of retail will be Amazon and Walmart... I sincerely hope that this stunningly beautiful building doesn't see the wrecking ball. It would make a great school for music, art, design and/or theatre.
ReplyDeleteYou and me are thinking along the same wavelength. The building is in such a high visible spot, and I think the city of Philadelphia would go ballistic if they actually tore that building down. I just worry about the organ sitting dormant not playing for too long.
DeleteOur family shopped at Wanamakers and Strawbridges, now no more legacies left.
ReplyDeleteThe Christmas displays in the 1950’s and 1960’s were incredible at both stores, and seeing Santa, the Christmas lights display and riding the kiddie monorail at Wanamakers was a treat.
Grandmother loved the Budget Store Gallery at Wanamakers and my mother loved the Wanalyn coats and Rittenhouse dresses. Charles of the Ritz counter would blend face powder for them. After shopping, we would go to Terrace on the Court restaurant on the third floor for watercress tea sandwiches and bisque ice cream, and on very special occasions the Crystal Room restaurant on the ninth floor for the luxurious ambiance. On the eighth floor was the John Wanamaker memorial museum, which grandfather enjoyed, wonder if it’s still there? Even Alice on the Honeymooners tv show mentioned Wananakers ! There was 2 million square feet of everything you could wish for at Wanamakers, as we used to say “meet us at the eagle”, that was Wanamaker’s mascot. John Wanamaker was a great figure in Philadelphia, honor noblesse with charity and Wanamaker’s always treated their employees very well and with respect :) (something sorely lacking today, thanks to the crap taught at business schools at our universities!)
A great institution and credit to Philadelphia taken from us :(
Pan in Wynnewood
Wanted to add I truly hope they turn the Grand Hall and the organ into a concert and culture venue for the city, our young people need culture in their lives, to
Deleteteach, inspire and cultivate them to be well rounded adults and create a better world. ✨
Pan
Thanks for commenting Pam and stopping in! Oh my gosh I totally forgot about those watercrest sandwiches!!!! Oh my gosh they were delicious. And I remember the Terrace Restaurant well too. I used to love when we could get a table near the railing and you could look down in the center Court. And nobody did Christmas displays like department stores in the 50s 60s and seventies . A friend of mine used to work there when Woodward and Lothrop took it over from Wanamaker's, he actually got me some ornaments for the trees used in Wanamaker's from the 40s through the 60s. I will cherish those. I agree, I think the building should be turned into some kind of arts and music venue or Music School that would be great
DeleteWhat a great store..and experince for all ... Another passing ... I hope the building continues to serve some purpose.. Thanks for enlighteing me.. I wish i had known that the store was there when I traveled to Philly a long time ago.
ReplyDeleteThe ebb and flow of things. Amazing what changes over just a bit of time.
ReplyDeleteI agree Adam...seems things don't change, and then wham we like when did that happen?
DeleteI knew Macy's wasn't doing good, but I was shocked to learn about this location. Enjoyed reading this very much. A true Philadelphian still calls this wonderful historical store Wanamaker’s (not Macy’s) and is proud to say “Meetcha at da Eagle!” Fortunately, Macy’s has retained the tradition of the Christmas Light Show (which started Thanksgiving thru New Years) held in the grand court on the wall where the organ is. Watching this spectacular show you instantly become a 5 year relishing the true magic of Christmas. And it will seem odd not to able to just walk through and not hear the organ, in all my 46 years.
ReplyDeleteI too am sorry to tread this. My first trip to a major city was in 1962. I was 16 years old and I had never experienced anything like Wanamaker’s. I think my eyeball prints are still on the ceiling! It's almost a shame how inward we are all now and do so much from home and what we settle for anymore.
ReplyDeleteWhile I'm not a Macy shopper and never have been, it will seem odd to go walking down Market, just blocks from my place and not to able to go in and hear the organ playing at noon. I wait with bated breath to see what will become of the building. It is wonderful that Macy’s saved some of these great buildings, but unfortunately, it has been experienced with the same kind of ‘treatment" at their Chicago store many times. Mr. Fields would be turning in his grave, too…just like John Wanamaker is I suppose.
ReplyDeleteIt is the end times, baby.
ReplyDeleteAnd it seems in more than one way.
DeleteWanted to add : In the 1950’s and 1960’s my grandfather use to take his European relatives on shopping sprees to all the great stores in New York and Philadelphia when they would visit him in New Jersey. First it was Bambergers and Haynes in Jersey, then Wanamakers and Strawbridges in Philly, and finally to Bon Wits, Altmans,
ReplyDeleteConstables, Sax, Bergdorfs and Strauss in New York. They thought the American dept stores put Europe’s to shame in the vast variety of goods offered in such huge stores. His sister and her daughters, all seamstresses, loved the quality of ready made clothing made in America. They would take dresses off the rack and examine them closely for detail and talk in French about the quality. When they would put a dress back, American women shoppers who were eavesdropping, would grab the dress off the rack. My grandfather always felt his sister and her daughters should have received a commission :)
They also would buy their makeup here as they felt American cosmetics were a great value. They felt Revlon, Max Factor and Maybelline were better than any European product and would stock up ! :) They would be shocked and saddened to see the state of American retail today.
-Rj