This is definitely one of those newspaper articles I remember distinctively growing up. My hometown of Hampton, Virginia went bananas when our Wal-Mart expanded into a Super Center and began offering fried chicken in the deli. I originally thought it was because it tasted good and that’s why people were flocking. Nope, just cheap food. Personally, it’s too salty for me.
[I took this picture of the former Macy’s in Hampton, Virginia. The store opened as a Thalhimers, became Hecht’s in the early 90s, and became Macy’s in 2006. It closed in 2018.]
Right now, all Macy’s stories in the United Staes are closed due to the virus. Obviously, they should be, duh. As this quarantine runs from weeks into months (my job doesn’t open back up until June 10th!) , normal things like going to a department store seems like a relic we did years ago. I’m going back to those days for a few minutes.
In 1993, during an uptick of cable networks that never materialized, Macy’s announced that they were going to launch TV Macy’s, a home shopping network in the fall of 1994. The channel was supposed to have the “look and feel of being in a Macy’s store”. 1 This didn’t materialize, I didn’t see another article about it.
Discontinued electronics 1997 — I’ve seen Macy’s electronics sale commercials on YouTube in the past, and wondered when did they discontinue the department, or if it only existed in the large New York location. I would’ve guessed late 80s because I think that was the last time I saw a commercial for it. No, 1997.
From what I’ve gathered, this store was originally a Lasalle & Koch. In 1985 remaining stores in Toledo were sold to Elder-Beerman 2. Elder-Beerman closed all stores in 2018, but they still have a store online. Their plus size selection is tragic.
A lamp department seems so archaic, right? I don’t mean the aisle at Target, I mean like an entire section, of lamps we all can’t afford, all lit. A lamp gallery if you will.
1. Grant, August E., Ashley J. Bennington, and Technology Futures, eds. Communication Technology Update. 3. ed. Boston London: Butterworth-Heinemann, 1994. 72.
2. George, Joseph Tanner. “Dayton Firm Is Expected to Buy Area Macy’s Stores.” Toledo Blade, July 3, 1985.
saleintothe90s 