END OF AN ERA

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.

While I am NOT a Macy fan and hate the blandness and standardization that Macy's represents in today shopping culture, I will say they did a reasonably good job of keeping the building preserved, and maintaining the elegance of the store and kept many traditions of Wanamaker's alive, unlike what they did to Marshall Fields in Chicago. I have many found memories of the store. Both sets of my great grandparents shopped there upon moving to PA, and then my maternal grandmother used to take me twice yearly to go shopping with her to Wanamaker's and Bonwit Tellers. I used to love it. Wanamaker's was just so mind blowing for a kid. We'd shop, have lunch in the legendary Crystal Tea Room, and then hear the organ. At Christmas it was even more magical, as the store would be bejeweled to the Gods, and I recall loved seeing the monorail train that would go around the whole toy department. Not to mention the spectacle of the Christmas light show, set to music.

 So, the store was always a family tradition. Even still, regular readers will know, I still go to the yearly organ concerts. That will be missed. I have also had several friends who were in visual display there and two other friends, who have been the Head Visual Manger over the whole building, including the current one, who was my boss at Bloomingdales. Needless to say he is heartbroken. Over the last two years he tried to get me to come on board as a visual stylist, but I just didn't have enough trust in Macys...especially since they owned Bloomingdales and gave everyone the ax. Talk about dodging a bullet. But I admit, it would have been incredible to have worked that location, if it had been any other luxury retailor.

Most pictures are mine... and others from the net, from over the years.

While no plans for another tenant, or what will become of the place yet is still up in the air, it has been decided this week that the organ, eagle and center court and architecture will remain, as it is all registered as historic landmarks, thank heavens. I think it would make for a great events space and concert venue for classical and jazz music, or even smaller concerts. Think Austin City Limits. At the end of the month the clan and I will go see off the organ for it's final concert...before it sleeps....at least till the building reopens in a new incarnation. Hopefully the city of Philly won't have to go to long till it hears the organ daily again.