Sep 5, 2006 7:24 pm US/Central
Only Four More Days Of Marshall Field's
Macy's Officially Takes Over On Saturday
by Dana Kozlov
CHICAGO (CBS) ―
Fans of
Marshall Field's have four days left to be one with the store until it becomes
Macy's.
CBS 2's Dana Kozlov reports on the final changes before the big debut.
The deadline is fast approaching, and workers are scrambling to remove signs of Marshall Field's and make it Macy's forever. Inside the
State Street store, red is replacing green, Macy's stars are everywhere, and it's clear the end of an era is near.
Macy's Regional Vice President Ralph Hughes said "We're excited about becoming a national brand. We think that will be very good for people in Chicago."
Hughes said many changes have been underway for a while, in part to help loyal Field's customers adjust.
Some displays and shops are different, like the Coach store, the biggest inside a department store in the country. There are new, Macy's-only clothing lines. There's even a push to get Chicago designers in the Loop, literally.
Public Relations Manager Andrea Schwartz said, "We are going to have 47 Chicago-based designers join us as part of our assortment at Macy's on State Street. And so we are really excited about promoting them."
But not everything is changing. Shoppers will still see the famous clock and plaques outside. They'll even be able to watch the making of Field's favorite mint - the
Frango.
And besides the clock and bronze plaques outside, one other Marshall Field's signature will also stay the same. And that is the famed Walnut Room.
And while some are embracing the switch – one shopper told CBS 2 "I like the change. I like to see something different," -- others say it's jarring to see the historic field's name replaced by a store with no ties to the Midwest, until now.
One woman said, "I've been a customer for 25 years and it's a little disappointing. I don't have the same feeling in the store."
Officials say one other tradition will remain intact, too. Macy's plans to set up the popular window display for the holiday shopping season.
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