Macy's closing 4 Downtown stores across US

[iheartthed]

Originally Posted by Crawford

Macys Herald Square isn't landmarked. It could be demolished. There was such a plan around 20 years ago, where Tishman Speyer would have built Macys a new flagship to the west, and the existing site would have been replaced by office towers.

I would be shocked if that's not landmarked. The former Lord & Taylor building on Fifth Ave that Amazon converted to its NYC base was landmarked and it's not nearly as historically significant as Macy's Herald Square.

Originally Posted by Crawford

I'm pretty sure it's two buildings, connected. The Seventh Ave. side is much taller and more streamlined. Maybe 1940's compared to the (at least) century old original building.

Yeah, the western half of the building is a newer addition to the original building. You can see it here: https://maps.app.goo.gl/UyzfqivNZmnRVhEX8

[Steely Dan]

Originally Posted by DCReid

Like someone said earlier, Macys should have keep 2 or 3 of the regional brands at least in name rather than converting every store name to Macys.

Totally.

Throwing the Marshall Field's brand away was a terrible blunder for them in the Chicago market.

"Field's" was dearly loved.

"Macy's" still feels like an intruder 20 years later.

[iheartthed]

Originally Posted by Steely Dan

I wonder why SF's Union Square has taken it so hard on the chin compared to its peers?

Chicago's Magnificent Mile lost its satellite Macy's several years ago during the height of the pandemic (Macy's decided to retreat to their grand old State Street store down in the loop, for now anyway), but the Midwest's premiere urban retail district is still anchored by 4 major department stores (Nordstrom, Bloomingdale's, Nieman Marcus, and Sak's). It has certainly had its struggles, but they seem to be sorting themselves out as things continue to settle down from the Great Disruption. Not that everything is peachy, but at least words like "apocalypse" are no longer being casually thrown around.

I don't know if there's any one reason but I can think of two things that are likely major factors beyond public safety perceptions. First, SF's economy was overly indexed to tech which moved to WFH when the pandemic started and never looked back. Second, tourism collapsed during the pandemic in SF and has yet to come anywhere close to recovering to pre-pandemic norms.

[38 Geary]

Originally Posted by iheartthed

I don't know if there's any one reason but I can think of two things that are likely major factors beyond public safety perceptions. First, SF's economy was overly indexed to tech which moved to WFH when the pandemic started and never looked back. Second, tourism collapsed during the pandemic in SF and has yet to come anywhere close to recovering to pre-pandemic norms.

it’s also been exacerbated by a repeating cycle of decreased demand to go downtown with a decrease supply of things/reasons to go downtown. by most accounts the rest of the city with the lone exception of downtown has returned to pre pandemic norms.

[mhays]

San Francisco, like Seattle, has traditionally allowed its worst street behavior (tents, druggies, theft) close to its main retail district. This got far worse during early and mid Covid. Theft and the related security costs are often cited by stores closing.

Both cities have shifted toward the middle politically, and Seattle has cleaned things up quite a bit, but it'll take time to bring the retail back.

I don't know SF's case very well but I know Seattle's. The pleasure tourists are back, though business visitors are still down. Office workers in the Downtown core have been around 60% of 2019. Most notably, it seems that fewer locals outside walking distance view Downtown as their main shopping area. This has coincided with a pre-Covid closure of our Macy's and a very poorly timed and executed renovation to a full-block interior mall that remains 2/3 vacant. Hopefully recent crackdowns on theft and tents will start to bring more stores. (Meanwhile the Pike Place Market neighborhood, a few blocks away but managed very differently, is busy as ever.)

[meh]

Originally Posted by Steely Dan

Totally.

Throwing the Marshall Field's brand away was a terrible blunder for them in the Chicago market.

"Field's" was dearly loved.

"Macy's" still feels like an intruder 20 years later.

Likewise with Famous-Barr / May Department Stores in St. Louis.

[JManc]

Originally Posted by mhays

San Francisco, like Seattle, has traditionally allowed its worst street behavior (tents, druggies, theft) close to its main retail district. This got far worse during early and mid Covid. Theft and the related security costs are often cited by stores closing.

Both cities have shifted toward the middle politically, and Seattle has cleaned things up quite a bit, but it'll take time to bring the retail back.

I don't know SF's case very well but I know Seattle's. The pleasure tourists are back, though business visitors are still down. Office workers in the Downtown core have been around 60% of 2019. Most notably, it seems that fewer locals outside walking distance view Downtown as their main shopping area. This has coincided with a pre-Covid closure of our Macy's and a very poorly timed and executed renovation to a full-block interior mall that remains 2/3 vacant. Hopefully recent crackdowns on theft and tents will start to bring more stores. (Meanwhile the Pike Place Market neighborhood, a few blocks away but managed very differently, is busy as ever.)

Been to Seattle twice, first was in 2022 and again last fall (stayed at the Sheraton downtown both times) and I definitely noticed the improvement. It was post apocalyptic in 2022

[mrnyc]

Macy’s Backstage to close at Queens Place as part of nationwide downsizing

By Czarinna Andres
Posted on January 10, 2025


Macy’s has announced the closure of 66 stores across the United States, including its Macy’s Backstage location at Queens Place in Elmhurst.

The decision is part of the retailer’s ongoing strategy to streamline operations and adapt to shifting consumer preferences, particularly the rapid growth of e-commerce.

The Macy’s Backstage store at Queens Place, located at 88-01 Queens Blvd., has been a fixture in the community since its opening in 2015. Spanning approximately 30,000 square feet, the outlet specializes in offering clearance goods from Macy’s full-line stores, drawing bargain hunters from across the borough.


more:
https://qns.com/2025/01/macys-backstage-close-queens-place-elmhurst/


Queens Place Mall (Photo courtesy of Madison International Realty)

[mrnyc]

also —


Macy's Brooklyn store, once an iconic Abraham & Straus, is closing

By Charles Lane
Published Jan 11, 2025


Macy’s is closing 10 stores in the New York-New Jersey area — including its storied Fulton Street location — as part of the company’s effort to turn a profit after years of slouching sales.

Macy’s took over the historic Fulton St. store in 1994 when it merged with the Abraham & Straus department stores — which city records show built the building at 422 Fulton St. 1920, and which long maintained its own flagship location there. It was once a part of "Department Store Row" along other retail giants that have long since fallen.


more:
https://gothamist.com/news/macys-brooklyn-store-once-an-iconic-abraham-straus-is-closing

[Rizzo]

Originally Posted by Steely Dan

The old Marshall Fields store on State Street is a National Historic Landmark and listed on NRHP, as well as being an official Chicago Landmark.

So regardless of what actually does or doesn't happen inside of it, the physical structure itself, as well as many of its spectacular interior and exterior flourishes, is as legally protected as a building in Chicago can get.

They just need to right-size the store better. The recent renovations to the lower levels look good. Consolidate to basement through the 3rd floor and continuing converting all the upper floors to office. The Macy’s high ceilings, big windows and uninterrupted floorplans are very marketable

As you implied Steely, the towering spaces and views inside matter so alterations should preserve that. Basement should become a proper market with food. It would increase traffic, validate security expenses and improve safety and enforcement in the pedway

Noted that the highest floors were vacant for like…a whole century…until they were ultimately converted and leased a few years ago. Also the walnut room can still be public because it’s somewhat divorced from the rest of the building and has dedicated elevators. They could also add more lounge and bar spaces to that

[mrnyc]

more macys downtown brklyn closing —


https://www.instagram.com/reel/DFDMsKAA-VJ/?igsh=MWEzcHZoY3R0cnI0cg==

[Crawford]

Bloomingdales in Downtown SF is closing. I believe this was the largest Bloomingdales outside of the NY region.

In the last year or two, downtown SF has lost Bloomingdales, Nordstrom, Macys and Saks was converted to an appointment-only system. Only Neiman Marcus stands. And these were all grand flagship-sized stores, and I believe the largest stores in the Western U.S.

All American cities got rocked by the pandemic, but that is some heavy-duty body blow. Downtown SF was arguably the second or third best downtown retail district in the U.S. Now, no way. And Bloomingdales, unlike Macys, is really successful and generally stable or growing.

[Gordo]

Wow. And yes, the Bloomingdale's and Macy's were both the second biggest (after NYC), the Nordstrom was the second biggest (after Seattle), and I believe the Neiman Marcus is actually the largest, though I could be wrong. So it wasn't just the biggest stores on the west coast, but literally the second biggest anywhere.

The wild thing with SF is that some of the posh retail streets in neighborhoods like Pacific Heights are arguably the healthiest that they've ever been. Different size and scale to the stores of course, but it's crazy to see the difference between those areas and the absolute free fall still happening in Union Square.

[craigs]

Originally Posted by Crawford

Bloomingdales in Downtown SF is closing. I believe this was the largest Bloomingdales outside of the NY region.

In the last year or two, downtown SF has lost Bloomingdales, Nordstrom, Macys and Saks was converted to an appointment-only system. Only Neiman Marcus stands. And these were all grand flagship-sized stores, and I believe the largest stores in the Western U.S.

All American cities got rocked by the pandemic, but that is some heavy-duty body blow. Downtown SF was arguably the second or third best downtown retail district in the U.S. Now, no way. And Bloomingdales, unlike Macys, is really successful and generally stable or growing.

Wow. The announced closure of Bloomingdale's (confirmed--it is the second-largest in the chain) is Union Square's final nail in the coffin as a world-class shopping district. Not only have the big national flagships closed or will soon, but retailers headquartered in SF like Old Navy and the GAP have also closed their Union Square flagships. That is a lot of empty, windowless space to fill.

[Quixote]

Originally Posted by Crawford

Bloomingdales in Downtown SF is closing. I believe this was the largest Bloomingdales outside of the NY region.

In the last year or two, downtown SF has lost Bloomingdales, Nordstrom, Macys and Saks was converted to an appointment-only system. Only Neiman Marcus stands. And these were all grand flagship-sized stores, and I believe the largest stores in the Western U.S.

All American cities got rocked by the pandemic, but that is some heavy-duty body blow. Downtown SF was arguably the second or third best downtown retail district in the U.S. Now, no way. And Bloomingdales, unlike Macys, is really successful and generally stable or growing.

Saks has always considered its Beverly Hills location as its West Coast flagship store, and it expanded its footprint last year by moving into the building that once housed Barney's New York.

https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases...flagship-in-beverly-hills-302056117.html

[sopas ej]

I think this is what happens when "downtowns" only consist of retail corporate chains, which is what the US is all about, right? In Europe, and Asia for that matter, I think the concept of a "downtown" is different; it's more of a "city center" in the true sense of the term; people live there as well, and they have cultural institutions that just don't involve shopping at retail chains. There are religious institutions, public markets that you can't alternately access through the internet, like fish stalls, butchers, vegetable stalls, etc., public squares, a culture that encourages congregating in public spaces just to congregate and relax, cafes that don't kick you out, etc.

To activate an American downtown, I think you really need to have more residents there. Create an actual neighborhood. Because let's face it, retail and office has changed and evolved.

[Crawford]

Originally Posted by sopas ej

I think this is what happens when "downtowns" only consist of retail corporate chains, which is what the US is all about, right? In Europe, and Asia for that matter, I think the concept of a "downtown" is different; it's more of a "city center" in the true sense of the term; people live there as well, and they have cultural institutions that just don't involve shopping at retail chains. There are religious institutions, public markets that you can't alternately access through the internet, like fish stalls, butchers, vegetable stalls, etc., public squares, a culture that encourages congregating in public spaces just to congregate and relax, cafes that don't kick you out, etc.

I get you, but I think SF has this. It's a mixed-use downtown, with residents, cultural and civic uses, theaters, squares, tourists, etc. Chinatown is very close to Union Square. The climate, year-round, is conducive to hanging out outdoors.

Long-term, I'm not too worried. SF has incredible assets.

[Steely Dan]

Originally Posted by craigs

Wow. The announced closure of Bloomingdale's (confirmed--it is the second-largest in the chain) is Union Square's final nail in the coffin as a world-class shopping district. Not only have the big national flagships closed or will soon, but retailers headquartered in SF like Old Navy and the GAP have also closed their Union Square flagships. That is a lot of empty, windowless space to fill.

This is all extremely disappointing to read.

Union Square was once one of the absolute alphas of US downtown retail.

I guess nothing lasts forever.

Is there any possible way to get it back, or is it gone for good?

[JManc]

San Francisco really needs to get a hold of the homeless and vagrant situation plus the criminal activity around the Market St./ Union Sq/ Civic Center areas or it's going to be a 'no go' zone for the foreseeable future. Employers in the area dragging their feet with their RTO policies aren't helping either. It's pretty bad and until then, locals are just going to trot down to Valley Fair Mall or Santana Row in SJ. There's another mall by SFSU. It's a shame that I never got to experience SF prior to Covid.

[sopas ej]

Myself as a regular visitor to San Francisco, I don't even remember the last time I was at Union Square... 5 or 6 years ago, maybe? If not more? Back when Borders existed, I liked the Borders at Union Square, being that we like to go to bookstores; City Lights is always a must when we go to SF.

There are other more interesting places in SF to stroll about than Union Square. It'll obviously have to reinvent itself somehow.

San Francisco's neighborhoods have constantly been evolving; Union Square is no different. Polk Street used to have a lot of gay bars; it was SF's original gay ghetto before the Castro, after all. Polk Street now is not what it used to be like in the late 1980s and early 1990s.