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What more is there to say about Carson Pirie Scott? We’ve said so much already. There isn’t much left, much like the slim pickins inside the store, as yesterday was the last day customers were able to buy retail merchandise. We took the opportunity (although we hadn’t planned to and, truthfully, had forgotten the occasion) to scope out the place one last time.
Every shelf , display case, alcove and table was stripped of wares. The only consumables still to be had were some fur coats in one little corner of the first floor. Access above was barred, so we missed the chance to look out our beloved curved windows once more. In the basement, however, was the real party: Fixtures, equipment, decorations and more were up for grabs everywhere we looked. Erstwhile customers milled around, checking out a cabinet here, some leftover industrial staples there. Shoppers will be able to get their hands on Carson’s precious memories until March 17, according to notices posted on several doors throughout the building.
What’s to become of the lovely, Louis Sullivan-designed structure is the subject of much debate. Joseph Freed and Associates, the building’s owner, hasn’t come forth with any concrete details yet, but they’re discussing projects with prospective tenants, including Roundy’s. Such grocery-related customers have led to speculation that Carson’s will become a downtown food mart. Ward Miller, local architecture fanboy and director of the Richard Nickel Committee (Nickel, as you may know, lived and died trying to catalogue Sullivan’s works), expressed dismay concerning this possibility, reasoning that a supermarket would lead to more wear and tear on the 108-year-old building. Only time will tell who’ll win out.
Personally, we will miss the store quite a bit. Macy’s didn’t faze us so much, since we never shopped at Field’s to begin with, but a huge chunk of our jewelry collection was garnered at Carson’s. And while other locations around Chicagoland will stay open, the location with the most history and fondest memories is closing. Beholding some gorgeous pictures in the display windows, we were reminded of what defines Chicago. Carson’s was one of those defining institutions.
Please check out our Flickr set of Carson's last retail day.
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In a way I'm glad Carson's is closed. While I'm the first one to lament the slow loss of Chicago's identity over the last few years, that Carson's was pretty rundown, even before they announced they were closing it. The outside of the building is great and i'm glad that it's being kept intact while the inside is reimagined as another water tower place or whatever. hopefully it's a great thing for that area.
I remember Carson's all the way back to the 1970s, and it was Field's dingier, unkempt sister even back then. I'm surprised it lasted as long as it did. They never even did a very good job appointing the turret windows over State street.
I did shop there from time to time, though. They had a good selection of men's winter coats.
I agree, I will miss Carson's much more than Field's. Carson's always had better shoes and better prices. I hope they do something respectful with the space!
My last purchase a few weeks ago from Carson's:
An Orville Redenbacher popcorn popper.
mine, besides two signs i cadged yesterday? perfume by carlos santana. i always want to smell like a middle-aged hispanic man.
That picture is so sad. I meant to go in one last time, but never made it.
I was there in december to exchange a christmas present but there was nothing there to exchange it with so i left. i thought i remember reading that the building will be turned into an indoor mall/entertainment complex with restaurants also.
Kind of sad to lose a well known store like that, but it's awesome how they're going to turn the place into a multi-level skatepark with rideable transitions from floor to floor. I seriously can't wait. They're also supposed to build two concrete bowls in the basement and have seperate sections for bikers.
Tom, what do you mean "skatepark?"
The Chicago Loop Coalition For The Addition Of Urban Greenspace is under the impression that the city has confirmed that the Carson's space will be demolished to make way for a covered dog park.
Do you know something I don't know, or is it the other way around?
there's no way that building's going down.. it's historic.. on the registry.
my last purchase was a few weeks ago.. got a good deal on some shoes and a handbag.
Wow, interesting news Tom. My kids are going to love a skatepark that's more accessable from the El than the ones at Wilson or 35th. My wife and I never let them go there alone, but we'd love the idea of a place just a quick ride away on the Red or Brown line that gives them a safer place to try their flips and spins.
Any word on if it will be free and/or city operated?
if it's going to be a *covered* dog park.. may as well keep the building.
i'm thinking bryan and tom are attempting some serious chain-yankage. i've not heard a thing about either suggestion. and like rachelle pointed out, it's a chicago landmark and VERY heavily revered in architectural circles. it ain't goin' nowhere.
i liked it cause i had a card there. other than that it was pretty much a dump.
I've always thought the place was a hole compared to Field's / Macy's. Even the newer mall locations have horrible lighting and are packed to the ceiling with cheap, crappy merchandise.
The company that owns Carson's (Bon-Ton) has stated that it is interested in building a new store in the city, although probably out of the immediate downtown area. This week's Crain's article about the planned explosion of retail in the North/Clybourn area made me think that could be a possibility. (Although I don't see the Lincoln Park crowd shopping Carson's).
You know what would be great-- a cluster of high-end restaurants, maybe combined with attached mid-market cafes.
Think of the Time Warner center in New York which is the home to Per Se and Masa, along with four or five restaurants.
Thrown in the mix could be a Dean & Delucas or Fox & Obels or whatever. It's probably not set up for a larger grocery store like Dominicks or Jewel, but that area would benefit from a grocery store of some sort.
Two of the new tenants will include Target and Whole Foods. It will be officially announced in a couple weeks.