Macy’s in Center City Philadelphia is closing for good
Sad news out of Philadelphia recently as Macy’s has announced the imminent closing of their Center City location. This Macy’s was a premiere location for the department store, occupying the historic landmarked building that formerly housed Wanamaker’s Department Store, one of the first department stores of its kind in the nation.
The building is notable not just for its architecture but for something quite special inside the covered atrium: a complete and working grand pipe organ, the largest of its kind in the world, that was original to the Wanamaker’s department store. This organ has been kept in great condition and is played twice daily.
A recent tour of the inside reveals the unsurprisingly state of the Macy’s corporation which has had trouble keeping up an upscale appearance while offering shoppers an affordable all-in-one outlet to shop. The company’s inability to compete with online retailers and their large physical store footprint nationwide is the main reason why Macy’s is downsizing and closing their locations, including this one at Center City.
The Macy’s Center City location is the epitome of this downfall, with drab and dreary decor and painted plywood facades that look cheap and uninviting. It’s a shame since the Wanamaker Building is so grand! As of now, the building itself is seeking a new tenant and thankfully the structure and the grand pipe organ are staying intact. Still, it’s hard to see such a prominent major department store like Macy’s go under in such a location. Reminds me of Sears’ downfall…
Check out some photos below and be sure to head there to see this place yourself before it closes in March.
