Chicagoist: Farewell, Carson's

Ty

Fri, 23 Feb 2007 17:40:53 -0600

Two of the new tenants will include Target and Whole Foods. It will be officially announced in a couple weeks.

Chach

Fri, 23 Feb 2007 08:26:50 -0600

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.

Nate

Thu, 22 Feb 2007 23:00:29 -0600

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).

matty

Thu, 22 Feb 2007 20:06:29 -0600

i liked it cause i had a card there. other than that it was pretty much a dump.

geekgrrl

Thu, 22 Feb 2007 17:27:53 -0600

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.

Filmore

Thu, 22 Feb 2007 17:27:43 -0600

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?

rachelle

Thu, 22 Feb 2007 17:19:18 -0600

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.

Bryan Yzatzerman

Thu, 22 Feb 2007 17:10:26 -0600

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?

Tom

Thu, 22 Feb 2007 16:51:20 -0600

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.

Mike

Thu, 22 Feb 2007 16:50:04 -0600

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.

Julene

Thu, 22 Feb 2007 16:47:46 -0600

That picture is so sad. I meant to go in one last time, but never made it.

geekgrrl

Thu, 22 Feb 2007 16:46:58 -0600

mine, besides two signs i cadged yesterday? perfume by carlos santana. i always want to smell like a middle-aged hispanic man.

Navin

Thu, 22 Feb 2007 16:43:59 -0600

My last purchase a few weeks ago from Carson's: An Orville Redenbacher popcorn popper.

Marie

Thu, 22 Feb 2007 16:25:40 -0600

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!

Jeff

Thu, 22 Feb 2007 16:19:27 -0600

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.

Mike

Thu, 22 Feb 2007 16:18:11 -0600

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.