In news that will surely give fodder to the Macy's h8rs in the house, the city closed down the lower level food court at the flagship Macy's yesterday after they found "a fruit fly infestation, water backing up from a clogged drain, a leaking sink, and grease and food debris on the walls and floor around the inside trash can."
The Health Department was there in the first place because a customer called them after becoming sick from eating a salad purchased there. They went to check it out, told Macy's what was wrong, told them to fix it, and told them they would come back. And Macy's didn't fix what was wrong. So, closed you are Macy's food court! Ha, that should teach you a lesson about how things work in the Windy City!
"Not only did they not do anything, the problems seemed to get worse," Tim Hadac, spokesman for the Chicago Department of Public Health, told the Trib. "It was a surprising and disappointing lack of adherence to basic food safety regulation. . . . We stopped counting fruit flies when they hit 200."
The food court will remain closed until its management has corrected the violations and passed re-inspection. Do note that this won't effect the Walnut Room, if you had imminent plans to go there. On August 23, Macy's food court representatives will have to go to appear at an administrative hearing and explain the failure, in addition to paying an expected $1000 fine.
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Ha! Die Macy's! Don't eat at the Walnut Room either. Boycott Macy's!
I no like Macy's but the lower level food court has NEVER been cemented in my brain as a bastion of cleanliness.
Bring back the English Room!!
Yup. English Room was great!
It's not like people were shopping at Marshall Field's when it was owned by Target. Sales figures:
2000 - $2.97 billion. Pretax profits - $190 million
2001 - $2.78 billion.
2002 - $2.69 billion. Pretax profits - $135 million
2003 - $2.58 billion.
source.
The lower level food court was disgusting for a while now. The food court on the 7th floor seems nicer than ever, though.
The Market Place was once such a great place for a quick bite to eat! Under Field's it was one of the cleanest food courts I had ever been in!!!
No more. RIP Marshall Field'!
"We stopped counting fruit flies when they hit 200."
That's a lot of counting.
Wes - What's your point? We're talking fruit flies here! And klling Macy's! Eeehah!
Good people! Get hold of yourselves, Cold Beer still pours forth in the basement! Draught Beer!
As a founding member of the Logan Square Draught Beer Preservation Society *
I appeal to you to ask yourselves what's really important during these turbulent times! A place to get an honest pour of Draught in the loop? Or a silly name change and some silly fruit flies, I mean they must be clean right because all they eat is fruit! So if could be much worse with rats, mice roaches and real flies, like every place else in the loop including city hall, the James R. Thompson Center, etc!
* Organizational name used for identification purposes only
Hell the lower level pedway is disgusting enough and the lower lever always smelled I would never eat there.
That store will be closed with in 5 years anyway.
hey spook-
its easy to make fun of what other people care about. heck, i can jibe with the best of them.
its a little more challenging (even honorable) to say - i respect that you have an opinion/are passionate about *something*
whats the difference...let everyone do their thing - unless by your opposition you are somehow making the world a better place.
peace out
If only they had as many customers as fruit flies.
Macy's on State Street is a ghost town. And deservedly so. The Macy's chain will have a new owner soon...an owner that will not tolerate the incompetence of the current management. The new owner will also see that Macy's on State was dead on arrival. Chicagoans will never, never shop at that store.
The boycott is working. In fact, it's working better than anyone at Macy's could have imagined. Keep telling your friends to stay away from Macy's!
Cold Beer still pours forth in the basement! Draught Beer!
That was one of the reasons I used to do all my x-mas shopping there. It was pretty cool to be able to take a train downtown and end up in the store without ever hitting the freezing elements. Shop, get that shit wrapped, have a beer and go home. Done!
Looks like you Macys Haters will have another reason to celebrate. From the Trib:
"Macy's Inc. plans to close its store in downtown Lake Forest at the end of January, according to company officials, citing rising costs."
Question: After Macy's downtown closes, what will you boycott, complain about and rally against?
Other Macy's stores.
sparky: developers taking over the city.
"Macy's Inc. plans to close its store in downtown Lake Forest at the end of January, according to company officials, citing rising costs."
Sparkster, I think the issue was really only with the historic downtown location and that it would have been respectful to Chicagoans (and a better business decision) to leave that one location be. Who cares about the other locations?
Boycott sparky!
Navin: Thanks for showing yet again this about cheap Chicago nostalgia and not anything related to business or economic development.
No, I don't care about Macy's, just I never cared for any other retail brand or corporation (owned by out-of-towners).
Let the weeping begin anew, and the hopes that MF will, like the long delayed Messiah perhaps, return once again.
Sparkster: You rule.
I've heard the a compelling perspective from more than a few Macy's boycotters calling for the return of Field's. They boycott because it is Macy's plan all along to close the State Street store and cash in on the real estate value. That's why they boycott.
They believe that this has been their plan from the very beginning, that it is Macy's plan all along to drag the store downmarket and make it unprofitable so they can justify cashing it in. Last Saturday's Tribune listed a Morgan Stanley appraisal of the State Street Store as about $1.2 billion. That's a heckuva lot of money.
The State Street store is is listed as the number three destination for tourists and locals alike, according to Field's literature from 2005. There's no way they will let some tycoon just come in and cash in a huge draw as Field's just like that.
Wes Sabi in his post above shows the sales figures of Field's when it was owned by Target, but notice they never break out these sales by stores. Remember that until 2000, two thirds of Marshall Field's stores were money losing Dayton's and Hudson's that rebranded themselves Field's Dayton's purchased Field's. Sure, those Dayton and Hudson stores are probably losing money but not most Field's stores. I bet the majority of Chicago stores were profitable.
I'd say the sanitation problems along with reducing the number of stores is just the ticket to degrade the State Street store to the point where it would be more valuable as real estate.
In short, the lack of sanitation, the el cheapo merchandise that replaced Field's merchandise, the closure of Lake Forest, and so many other downgradings are all part of a plan from the beginning to close the store and turn it into real estate.
Sure seems that way. And why should people care? Because it means jobs are being moved elsewhere, tourists are going to the Macy's flagship in NYC-who cares about a Macy's in Chicago?- and we are losing a major institution that makes Chicago unique as a destination.
The boycotters are voicing loud opposition because they won't go quietly on this real estate wheeling and dealing.
Anyone catch that the Chicago Reader has been sold to a Florida publisher? After 36 years, The Reader will no longer be locally owned.
Anybody have thoughts on that?
Guest #20: I have never heard that Macy's wanted to cash in the the real estate value, and that does not seem to be the motivation for the boycotters on fieldsfanschicago.org., from what I have read on their website.
I do not have an extensive background in business, but why did they even set up shop in the first place, when they could have simply sold it when they acquired Field's comapany?
Carson's is also a landmark building--I know it dows not have the same nostalgia that the Field's store has (but the company was there since 1904). Does anyone know what the space will be used for? If Macy's closes, what will the Field's space be used for?
Daley should give them the Tiff money he wants to give the CME. 40 milliion to change the name back and to use to renevate the building.
Anonymous guest #19
You show your ignorance by not realizing that 'cheap chicago nostalgia' is the major part of that locations local and tourist draw making it very much a 'business' issue.
RE: The Reader
Will it be called The Florida Reader now?
Even if Macy's were to sell the State Street property, the building has landmark status, so it's not like some developer could just roll in and bulldoze it anyway...
And I agree with the sentiment concerning the $40 million in TIF money going to the CME/CBOT should go to the State Street Field's instead...
Hell, I think an even better idea would be for the city to buy it and re-open it as Field's. And by the city, I mean you, me, all of the Chicagoland residents, in the form of shares of stock. If the city of Green Bay can own the Packers in this manner, why can't we own the State Street Field's?
A TIF is designed to fund improvements in distressed/poor/underdeveloped areas where development would not normally occur or be funded. Without getting into an argument about TIFs, I think that Daley and the city of Chicago heavily abuses TIFs. I agree: there shouldn't be a TIF for CBOT/CME (as well as all of the other companies the city gives TIFs to), but there shouldn't be a TIF for Field's, either. Does it really qualify?
I believe the Green Bay Packers are unique in that they are a non-profit, tax exempt organization. I wonder how that would fit into a business model like a department store.
Macy's decision to downgrade the Field's stores is an intentional one. I agree that they want to cash in on the real estate. It will be a huge loss to Chicago if State Street is converted into condos or offices. Marshall Field's (not Macy's) State Street was the #3 tourist destination in Chicago. That store alone had revenues of $250 Million a year! Think of all the Chicago jobs, the civic pride, the history that we lost because of a greedy bastard known as Macy's came in and ruined it. They don't care... all they want is for you to spend your hard earned dollars on some fake "designer" house brands. Boycott Macy's - shop Nordstrom, Saks, JCPenney, Target, Neiman's, etc.
Marshall Field's WILL BE BACK soon - in all its glory!
Dear new owners of Macy's
BRING BACK FIELDS!
I'm getting a sick and tired of these stupid, shortsighted, and counterproductive protests at Macy's on State Street.
How many of these clueless protesters actually shopped at Marshall Fields? Few, if any. That's why Marshall Field's was in serious decline for a long time before Macy's came along. Let's stop believing the hype of fanatics who don't have their facts straight and refuse to accept reality or listen to reason.
Protesting and boycotting will do nothing except result in closure of the store and loss of jobs. Talk about selfish.
Face facts: Marshall Fields is GONE and isn't coming back. Get over it and get a life, Chicago.
How many of these clueless protesters actually shopped at Marshall Fields? Few, if any.
If these people are actually taking the time to volunteer and protest, than it's reasonable to assume that these same people also shopped at Field's as well. Who really needs to get a life here? The people who care enough about the loss of local flavor and homegenization of America, or losers like you who take the time to rant online about it?
"How many of these clueless protesters actually shopped at Marshall Fields? Few, if any."
WRONG!! I was a proud gold-card customer. I cut it up the day Federated announced the name change.
Guest 30 - You got that right!
Navin: Good point in 24.
I'm the guest who raised the original point, and here is what I do not understand:
OK, you all liked MF. And it brought tourist and other revenue into the city.
But MF is gone, and it seems unlikely it will return to anything resembling its former glory.
Why not fight for other parts of Chicago, then? Things like neighborhoods, mom and pops, corner taverns, etc, instead a fucking retail brand?
I have to tell you, protesting to bring back an out-of-town retail brand is just sillly, if not stupid or foolish. There are more important fights.
Yeah, yeah, I know: I should just move to Naperville if I don't understand. Don't worry, my bags are packed.
I really don't understand how it seems is impossible for some people to understand the idea of FIGHTING FOR MORE THAN ONE CAUSE! Go save whatever greater things you think are worth saving. I'll work on Field's, Amnesty International, election funding reform and keep contributing to cultural institutions in the city.
Why not fight for other parts of Chicago, then? Things like neighborhoods, mom and pops, corner taverns, etc, instead a fucking retail brand?
Mom and pop stores and corner taverns are only near and dear to the immediate inhabitants of that particular neighborhood. Field's and memories of it were embraced by Chicagoland residents as a whole (if not much of the Midwest)--city dwellers and suburbanites alike, Northsiders and Southsiders alike. Before there existed even the concept of retail branding, corporations, etc. (as well as the great Chicago fire, for that matter), there existed Marshall Field's.
Dear Guest 11, sorry for the late reply
I get that you go contemplative/socratic faculties "going on" and as a fellow organic intellectual, I dig that!
But I fail to see whats so laudable about celebrating others passion for passions sake.
Every body has “something” they are passionate about; NSACAR, yuppie sports teams, celebrities, soap operas, torture porn Movies, being a mindless republican, bombing other folk’s countries, mindlessly going off to war, or getting all up in arms because one rich corporation made a deal, signed a contract, smiled greedily, shook hands and purchased another greedy rich corporation who’s owners are probably off purchasing another corporation as we write perhaps in China or the Sundan
So these people- now all up in arms- instead of hitting the tread mill or getting involved in a real civic cause, puts on their pink or orange pants or sweat suits, some oversized designer sunglasses made in Korea, hoist themselves into their SUV’s, drive three minutes, park, and waddle up to the Metra train, to go "protest" in Chicago.
True, my passion happens to be social justice, art, muck raking, but also beer- including the preservation of the proud draught tradition in Chicago! I mean Daley is going after corner bars almost with the vigor demonstrated in his policies of going after the poor.
So is it that bad that I point a major way that Macy's has stayed true to some of the grandest Legacies of Marshall Fields and Chicago? Which is continuing and honoring a tradition so that good citizens like Navin can still partake in? Drinking in the Basement of a corporate store!
For the record TIFFS can be used however Daley see fit.
Spook - Your prejudices about people who shop are Field's or care about Field's are amazing and inaccurate! How do you live with so much hate and blindness inside you?
The problem with the foolish and short-sighted protesters is that they absolutely refuse to consider any perspectives other than their own.
Let's expose these protesters for what they are: selfish and clueless. The rest of the country is looking at you like a bunch of crybabies who don't have your priorities straight.
Change is a fact of life. Stop living in the past!
Guest #29/38 obviously works for Macy's. So to you I offer my condolences that you will soon be out of a job. But as you said yourself, change is a fact of life. Stop living in the past.
Sorry, but guest #29/38 doesn't work for Macy's.
Once again, the Marshall Field's fanatics get it wrong in their desperate attempts to discredit anyone who dares to challenge their silly protests.
Marshall Field's was in decline for a long time before Macy's came along. That's not Macy's fault, that's YOUR fault for not shopping at or supporting the store when it counted.
Dear Ferdy:
Out of respect I'm trying to focus on your words with seriousness as opposed to mirth, which is hard in this case. But here goes.
The fact that you’d actually equate/use the words, refer to some one( yours truly)as living in "so much hate and blindness inside” them, for poking fun at a bunch of vapid clueless citizens because they spend so much time protesting,
a past businesses decision between two CORPORATIONS, that doesn’t hurt working folk or the environment, - when soooo many business decision DO- , and do this- especially in THESE times- when there are sooooooooo many more worthy ISSUES that Cry Out and Beg,starving for just a little public attention,not to mention protest,
Demonstrates to me, the sad premium that you,
Ferdy,place on this issue,not to mention your crew. I call it a disturbing rise in consumer market morality invading all spheres of private, public and intellectual life/ space at the expense of real shrinking civic engagement and socratic dialogue.
Now what I do Hate is what’s going on with our lack of humanity,the lack of public words and protest for Iraq, the Sudan, the attack on public housing here, Aaron Patterson being on trial in the Federal Building for his life right now instead of in treatment as a human rights abuse victim, our babies killing babies, poverty, racism, sexism,homophobia, classism, the declining economies in the U.S, etc, etc, etc,
and I'm blind to how these issues are ignored while "Red Eye"celebrity and shallow iconic symbolism, such as a corporate store manage to resonate so deeply in the populace, ya feel me Fedry?
I could say, yall should feel ashamed of yourselves, but perhaps if I say this then I might really get disturbed. So instead please allow me to look at this with more tragic comic jest and just make fun of yall as a bunch of Naperville soccer Moms instead getting the blues like Tennessee Williams! Smile Ferdy, cause I am
First off, Macy's is the store that is in decline!!! By disposing of Marshall Field's, Macy's has lost a tremoundous amount of sales, and their sales declines across the country are PROOF that people don't like Macy's!!!
The rest of the country is also going to other places to shop. So, fans of Marshall Field's are definitley not the only ones avoiding Macy's.
Marshall Field's was in decline for a long time before Macy's came along. That's not Macy's fault, that's YOUR fault for not shopping at or supporting the store when it counted.
I did shop there, often; in fact, I canceled my MF credit card as soon as the Macy's re-branding was offically announced (and no, I'm not a protester either, but nor do I shop at Macy's). And if MF was in decline, then Macy's in the Midwest is now in a mucher steeper decline--what does that tell you? And so I ask again--who's more pathetic? The people who care enough about something to do something about it, no matter how trivial that may seem to others, or the people like you whose lives are so devoid of anything of substance or meaning that you apparently have all this free time to bitch about a cause you could care less about?
#43
I have to admit, I threw up in my mouth a little when I read that. Do you realize what you just wrote?
Spook-
hi it's me, guest #11 again.
well i normally dont get involved in blog discussions...but i just wanted to make a few points and just let the whole thing lie.
its strange that opposors to the marshall fields cause most frequently say "you should be devoting your time to more pressing social issues"....when in fact, all i am doing is NOT shopping at macys....which frees up more of my time to do something else.
by the way, i fit none of the "fields protestor" descriptions that rend your otherwise intelligent posts ignorant. it seems your energy could otherwise be challenged into more progressive things.
i would encourage anyone who cares about *anything* to participate in that cause. its a rewarding experience.
BOYCOTT MACYS!!
I'm not going to repeat yet again why boycotting Macy's is not about shopping in an of itself but rather the homogenization/bottom line mentality that is wrecking this nation. If you can't see beyond your own prejudices about commerce, then that's just too bad. It's not a dirty word or deed when done the right way. People need to get stuff to live, though perhaps you'd prefer we went back to hunter/gatherer methods (which required societies to kill their sickly young and old to survive, btw).
Ferdy: Give me a break.
Yes, I agree with you on the threat of homogenization. And I understand that Field's protestors can spend similar amounts of energy on other causes, though I am doubtful this happens as much as you think.
That said, you are much, much better off fighting against the spread of chain stores (like MF) and strip malls in Chicago, and the politics that let this happen. You are much better off fighting FOR the mom-and-pops, even those outside your neighborhood, as they help make this city different from the 'burbs.
What I see from all the MF protestors are just people selfish about their nostalgia and unwilling to see that sometimes, businesses fail, even chain stores owned by out-of-town companies that have managed to trick many weak-minded Chicagoans in thinking that MF, even at this late date, was still theirs.
Simply put, you MF people make no sense whatsoever. Get on with your lives already.
I have to admit, I threw up in my mouth a little when I read that. Do you realize what you just wrote?
I know exactly what I just wrote; as a matter of fact, it was directed as much toward you as it was to guest #29/38. And I would call that getting a taste of your own medicine--now you know how I feel whenever I have to read one of your idiotic posts. There's a lot of causes and issues out there I don't necessarily agree