Secrets of the City

I think it won’t make a huge difference for the store in the long run, since the average person walking in just won’t know the difference. But it’s certainly a quick way to lose credibility with the style conscious. One of the reasons I go to the downtown Marshall Field’s is because I can find things you can’t get by wandering into an uber-chain at the MOA. Overall, it’s a net loss.

To put it another way — this kinda sucks.

Oh, how the Star Tribune loves to make the Marshall Field’s-Macy’s transition seem like an evil on par with the Holocaust. Can’t everyone just get over it already?

(Ok, I’ll admit that I mostly feel this way because I work at MF and Macy’s is letting us keep our jobs. I *heart* Macy’s!)

Really, though, in all seriousness– things aren’t changing as much as people think. The buying office is remaining the same, so much of the product in the stores will remain the same. The Marshall Field’s owned brands will be going away and will be replaced by the Macy’s house brands, but these products are pretty much the same and some are even made by the same vendors. It’s just common sense that house brands will be more profitable to the store.
We are dropping some of the smaller vendors (and some bigger ones, too) but the vendors we are dropping are the least profitable and least popular ones. One of the biggest problems with department stores today is that they are cluttered, with too many different things to choose from. Having the product selection pared down a little will make the stores easier to shop.
Unfortunately we’re at a point where we need to compete with Target and WalMart; these changes that are being made are business decisions that are intended to make us more profitable, which we haven’t been for years. Why do you think Target sold us in the first place? Embrace the change, people!

minnesotans fear changes! (and chains.) we’ll bitch, moan, and whine until it happens then we’ll grumble and tolerate it. soon, we’d go on with our lives and occasionally go “oh, i remember when…”

i was just at the downtown store this weekend and scored a nice rice cooker for 40% off, which – thanks to mnspeak – i now discovered was from cooks of crocus hill clearance. i know it’d make me sad when i have to say “i’m going to macy’s”…feels like i am pandering to something, i don’t know, so generic. what’s in a name, i guess.

Just another reason to shop at the local shops instead of the big national chains, I guess. Take note, the chain restaurants open downtown don’t last long but the independents seem to thrive.

I am sad about it as I do not enjoy shopping at Macy’s and I do enjoy shopping at Dayton’s (um, Marshall Field’s). There seems to be a little more organization and class at Dayton’s that stuck around after Target Corp first sold it off. When I am spending that kind of money I want to get the experience I am paying for.

To map it out, to me:

Shopping at Macy’s MOA is to shopping at Dayton’s as Shopping at Walmart is to Shopping at Target.

Nice, annet just said everything I was going to so now I don’t have to.

Also, the Strib plays a sad song for Sepia, which was making me internally scream: “Jesus, your jewelry was on Oprah! I’m sure you can sell it to other stores!” But then at the very end of the article, it says they’re grateful for having worked with MF and have set up 30 new accounts since. Good for them, I’ll look for their product when I’m out and about.

I didn’t grow up with Dayton’s, I had Macy’s, so maybe it’s the lure of the new and different, but Dayton’s/Marshall Field’s has always seemed slightly more upscale (Macy’s NYC flagship store notwithstanding). Chalk it up to my “Red Stripe drinking, Triumph-riding snobbery,” but I am a bit worried that the atmosphere and selection (specifically clothing) will suffer for the changes.

But, regardless of what happens, it’s not going to be the end of the world.

I may be the only one who feels this way: but I like Macy’s for men’s clothing. When I lost a ton of weight 2 years ago, I needed to totally overhaul my suit collection. I bought all of them from Connie at Macy’s at MOA. Nice Kenneth Cole, Tasso Elba (house brand), Calvin Klein suits, all for under $300. She’d call me when they got new sales, or new styles. On sale, they even had Hugo Boss suits for $400 – $500.

I went to MF downtown Friday to look at suits: I couldn’t find anything for under $500.

I’m from Chicago, and I love MF, but I’m not that worried about the transition. If I don’t like it- I’ll find somewhere else to shop. It’s all good.

Jason, the anchors buy their suits from John Meegan at Top Shelf at 31st and Lyndale. Check him out sometime. A lot more than $300, but worth it for when you have to look not just good, but perfect.

I admit to some Top Shelf envy… Some day I hope to be in a position to need to look perfect. Sadly, as I trek through the snow and slush and disgusting TV news vans….. I’m thankful for my $300 suits!

But feel free to e-mail the station and tell them I should be anchoring. We know how much those guys make! Then I’ll buy some really nice clothes!

Another clarification: we all know the Macy’s store at MOA is a dump (even top Federated execs are the first to admit this). The transition will include some improvements to that store, so hopefully it will get better. Read: the downtown Field’s will not change to look like Macy’s MOA, it will be more like the other way around.

That’s great news Anne. And no surprise that the MOA store is a dump: since it’s run by the West Coast operations of Macy’s. We’re a Macy’s island out here.

Top Shelf is ridiculousluly overpriced, I’d have to be an idiot to shop there. TV people should try buying their suits at Target for a month and see if anyone notices.

I used to live across the alley from the Top Shelf folks. Real nice. If I ever need a custom-made suit, that’s where I’ll go.

‘Course I spend the rest of my life trying to avoid the need for a custom-made suit…

Shopping at Macy’s MOA is to shopping at Dayton’s as Shopping at Walmart is to Shopping at Target.

I agree, I strongly agree.

If they change the recent developments of more boutiquey, store in store feelings and adopt the lame and cheaply made “in house brands” that Macy’s is chock full of it will suck. Suck, real bad. Macy’s sucks, their shoe selection sucks, the one here sucks and frankly even the NY 5th Ave Macy’s sucks a little. I like Dayton’s and it’s not because I don’t like change.

Note: this post is also serving as my opinion comment of the earlier post: sucking sucks alot or just suck it – as I always say

Minnesotan’s fear national chains? I’m not sure if that is true. There seems to be no shortage of Applebee’s, Chillis or other national chains. If memory serves, when Krispy Kreme opened in Maple Grove it ranked as one of the top market openings in for Krispy Kreme in its history. I guess I always perceived the opposite – Minnesotans love national chains and get excited when a new one opens.

I think you’re more likely to find people who avoid chains on this site than in the general population. The only reason chains die downtown is because there’s no reason for someone in the suburbs to drive into downtown to eat at the same place they could out in Eagan while parking for free.

Jason, you’re worth a million bucks to us.

The Applebee’s downtown seems to be doing quite well. It seems like there is a line there for lunch every day. And now they have a $1 bottle beer happy hour from 9-11pm? Something like that. Hell I would even go into Applebee’s for a $1 High Life.

Oh also Ike’s now has a afterwork and late night happy hour with $1.50 domestic taps and bottles and some deal on small plates.

Kevin, the Top Shelf suits look better in person, and that’s how a lot of business people make their very nice living–in person. Think of it as Carhartt for people who make more money that you.

Anne, I understand your pro-Macy’s cheer — you want to keep your job, that’s great.

But anyone familiar with retail knows that Macy’s is a dump that’s on the lower end of the department store ladder. And I know you’re parrotting corporate speak when you say “we’re at a point where we need to compete with Target and WalMart.” Honestly, though, wouldn’t you rather work for a company that’s aiming high and trying to compete with Nordstrom and Neiman Marcus?

The Twin Cities are going to suffer a huge loss when Marshall Field’s turns into Macy’s. You know it, I know it, everyone knows it. There is a place for high-end retail here, but the building that housed the onetime center of it won’t any longer.

I’m trying to think of something I go to Field’s for specifically, and I can’t. Work brings me into the stores a few times a week, so I do end up buying quite a bit of merch there, but there isn’t anything I can’t get someplace else. For me personally: Bloomingdale’s has–hands down–the best denim department. Macy’s has the largest selection of socks/hosiery. Nordstrom obviously kills the competition in shoes and contemporary women’s clothing. Neiman Marcus and Off 5th have the upscale department store market covered. For other RTW, there are places like Urban Outfitters, H&M, Len Druskin, Gabriela’s, etc.

Does Marshall Field’s have a “feel”? Is that what people are attached to?

I think Marshall Fields used to have a feel. It was truly about customer service. Lots of kindly old ladies who knew the merchandise and knew how to respect the customer.

I really don’t think I’m making it up, but one way or another, through attrition or layoffs or something, those kindly old ladies have disappeared the past few years and been replaced by cookie cutter careless high school kids who have no concept of their job being anything other than running a cash register and socializing with their friends…

For what it’s worth, and as someone who never met those kindly old ladies, I think Marshall Field’s does have a “feel.” It’s higher end than Macy’s, but not quite as out of reach as a Neiman Marcus or a Bergdorf. If you use their Select service (because I can’t stand wandering a store trying to find things), you get great customer service. Plus, there’s a certain sense of place. I can tell I’m in the downtown Minneapolis store versus the store on State St. in Chicago. I don’t get that in Macy’s. The MOA store looks exactly like the one in Cleveland.

Of course, I go almost exclusively to the downtown store. Experiences at other locations could be significantly different. I know I’ve been in the Brookdale store and been fairly shocked by the difference.

Life goes on though. It’s a store. I can always go somewhere else if things go badly.

I agree with that statement, but I think it can be blanketed over the entire retail industry.

I just typed out a long paragraph as to why I think that is, but deleted it because… YAWN. Betty Friedan’s dead, it had to do with all that women entering the workforce stuff.

Yawn indeed, I guess. What’s done is done. I guess MF just held out against the onslaught a bit longer. But then, Alexis, it’s my understanding that you pay the bills by doing stuff like personal shopping to some extent, right? So there’s still a desire for people to get personal service, essentially… Is it just a privilege for those that can afford it now? I suppose it used to be that it was only for those that could afford to shop at MF and other places like it.

Sorry, just thinking out loud…

gerg: I do pay the bills by doing things like personal shopping for my clients, but for supplemental income, I also work part-time as a rep for a high-end women’s accessories company. I’ve had the MN territory Field’s account for over 3 years, so I’m very familiar with the store and its operations.

My errands service clients are just busy people (men, actually) that aren’t necessarily affluent. They recognize that using my services for domestic matters allows them more free time. Whether they spend that time at the office, on vacation, or with their kids varies from client to client.

Okay, thanks. I was all set to ask you about what you think does explain the decline in customer service in the retail industry, if it’s not that there’s been a decline in people willing to pay for it, and then I realized that was probably asking you for the paragraph you already deleted.

Bottom line: I guess there’s more important things to worry about.

I’m going to guess that most readers here won’t care, but I know for a fact that the Macy’s will no longer carry some of the high-end designer labels that MF currently carries at the downtown store, like Prada and Dolce & Gabbana. Losing stuff like that may really not mean much in the grand scheme of things, but it does contribute to the sense of provincialism and cheapening of the shopping experience. Those labels don’t want to be associated with the Macy’s brand, I’m told (by someone who works there).

PS: I’m talking about men’s here… not sure about women’s. You can still get a limited selection of those Italian designers at Needless Markup, but their sales/clearances aren’t nearly as good for bargain-hunters like me.

PPS: I can’t believe I just wrote “shopping experience.” Off to slit my wrists now…

Huh, that’s interesting. I seldom actually buy any Prada or D&G (more out of taste than money), but I always liked wandering down to that part of Marshall Field’s.

Here’s a conundrum: I buy almost all my stuff at Len Druskin, even though I know I’m getting ripped off and I can’t stand the way they buzz-buzz-buzz around you as you shop. I’m curious if I’ve fallen for some sort of hipster potlatch.

I truly hate that store.

Yeah, the girls stuff is all too Juicy Couture (the brand for hot, brainless girls).

Rex, try In Toto or Exile. Not sure if they’re better but you’ll at least get some variety in the somewhat limited “cool” men’s wear arena that might be similar to Len Druskin. I am all about eBay as I’ve grown weary of overcrowded, overpriced places, dirty or cluttered fitting rooms with salespeople who throw too much attitude around. I’d rather pay for shipping and hope for the best in terms of fit vs. trek through aisles of junk. I used to work at Dayton’s many moons ago. There was a strict dress code and customer service went above and beyond. Now, you go into the Oval Room (is that what they still call it?) and you sometimes get salespeople whom you’re not sure if they work there or not (translation: they look super casual or night-clubby) not exactly polished looking. There’s nothing really at MF that I can’t get somewhere else, to be honest. I guess I have zero loyalty when the product and people go downhill.

FUCK JUICY

(Another one of our old tee shirt ideas, remember?)

Yeah, I certainly miss our illustrious dream of a global t-shirt franchise. It seems likes there’s a good t-shirt idea here almost every day.

jderusha or Ron,
Any particular place the female anchors shop? I’ve seen them in some really nice suits too. I need a nice one and I haven’t seen anything I like at MF lately.

I just asked two of our best-dressed women, Amelia and Esme: a favorite boutique shop is Josi Wert in Uptown. Neiman’s has nice stuff. Arafina in the Gallerina. All of those are pricey, with good sales.

Nordstrom has decent suits too. Club Monoco at Mall of America.

Amelia shops on-line a lot, searching “Women’s Designer Suits.” But you need to know which designers you like… and your fit.

I know my wife gets nice suits at Banana Republic – that’s a little more affordable.

Hate to beat the same drum over and over, but Top Shelf makes really nice women’s clothes, too. Business stuff.

Lately, I just bought a couple of nice things for my wife at Birch Clothing at 50th and Penn. She also really likes Local Motion in Uptown.

I know you’re parrotting corporate speak when you say “we’re at a point where we need to compete with Target and WalMart.”

Yes, I’m quoting my own quote. This isn’t corporate speak, this is commom sense. Look around…. Target is an empire. Aparently people want to be able to shop for groceries, athletic equipment, clothing and electronics all in one store. This is what has become successful in large retailers in the past few years, and you can’t ignore it. Yes, it’s sad that things are getting more and more generic, but I guess I’ve known this was coming for so long that I’m over it. There are lots of things I’ll miss about Marshall Field’s, but what can you do? It’s just a store.

BTW, right on Alexis– I also hate Len Druskin.

J, Saw Harrison Ford on Leno last week and he said his jacket was from Banana Republic, and you know he can afford to go wherever he wants.

Josi Wert has closed, hasn’t it? There was almost nothing left there when I was there a few weeks ago. There was a giant SALE sign, which I assumed was a going-outta-biz sale, but I didn’t ask.

When I shop in town, In Toto or G2 (Grethen House sales) have good clearance sales where you can find work-appropriate items. Hey, a Jil Sander blouse for $25?! Saks Outlet is not bad for some finds and Anthropologie, too, if you can get past the overstuffed merch and frilliness. Sisley in MOA has nicely tailored pieces, pricey not too high.

Department stores are outmoded. No amount of merging or restructuring will save what basically amounts to a shittily-stocked mall. The whole reason department stores came into existence was because people wanted a place they could go for “one-stop shopping.” But now, instead of going to a 30,000 square foot store that has a few departments with a couple of brands a piece, I can go to a 700,000 square foot mall that has nearly every single thing I could need under one roof, along with active competition to keep prices low and products fresh. I hate to be the guy who’s praising malls here, but malls are to department stores what department stores were to general stores. Eventually, the ever-present Macy’s and Neiman’s of the world will be a fanciful memory of our youth.

Len Druskin is great, as long as you only want clothes that look like they’ve been beaten, faded, ripped, bleached, sanded, shrunk or otherwise ‘distressed.’ Can we all start to move past that look any time soon?

Re Top Shelf — if you don’t understand the value of a bespoke suit, you probably have no occasion to wear one. Stick to BR and I’m sure you’ll look just fine.

Prediction: the downtown Macy’s will be closed and empty in 3 years.

Uh oh. If Alexis and annet team up, we’re all in trouble.

Re: prediction

I’d always heard that the Marshall Field’s downtown was quite profitable, relative to other stores. It would seem that, with a stable downtown office population and an ever increasing and more affluent downtown residential base, the future for that store would be pretty bright. Maybe I’m just fooling myself.

Now, the Marshall Field’s headquarters office space might be a different story.

I have to admit I was pretty disappointed in the ambition of the downtown store remodeling work that they announced a while back. I was envisioning some grand atrium cut into the store, ala State Street, and instead we get a new eyeglass store. Boring.

Josi Wert dropped men’s fashion. Everything was half off or more when I was there early to mid-January. Josi mentioned trying out some cheaper basics merchandise (tshirts and jeans kinda fare for those uptown “creatives” or whatever) but that’s it.

Made me kinda sad.

Hey lets get real here – I miss Daytons not Marshall Fields…
When the name changes to Macy’s business will be amazing..We can live without Prada and D&G they are tasteless clothing and assorted poorly made handbags that appeals to high priced call girls and people who do not know any better.
Lets stay positive that Macy’s will appeal to downtown.

Too bad Chicago – now you know how it feels. I, for one, have never set foot in any of the stores since they renamed Daytons to Marshall Fields. Having grown up just a few blocks from Southdale, I took the original changing of the name quite personally. Daytons was a household name here, pillar of the community store name, a name that stood for nothing less than “classy” in this town. You always waited with anticipation for their float to go by in the Aquatennial parade because it would always be the best one. Their ads were always clever and classy. If you had to get something really special, you went to Daytons to get it. And they did so much for the community. Target tries to fill these shoes in their plastic sort of way, but sorry, Target – no matter how many millions you pour into the community, you will never command the respect that the Daytons name did!

Bad, bad move in my book. A trend of present times that I despise. Seemingly timeless names like Minnegasco, NSP, Northwestern Bell and Daytons tossed out like some old shoe. Other seemingly timeless names like Donaldsons and Red Owl taken over by bigger chains and now gone forever. I avoided Carson Pirie Scott because of it. I still avoid Cub because of it. I would avoid Center Point Energy and Excel Energy and Qwest (or whatever they’re called now) if I could. Y’all change your names just enough times and we’ll all forget who the heck any of you are.

Hey they just laid me off. Fuck ‘em