Wouldn't you guess that it would have been caught on camera?
We've all got to think more strategically, including businesses. It's a battle and the enemy is only getting stronger. Criminals weren't socialized in their early childhood and can't help themselves.
If Macy's doesn't have the exterior covered by security cam, they were only asking for it. This ain't Mayberry.
One of the employees at the downtown store tipped me off to this - to share your opinions of the new and improved Macy's and to make suggestions, you can do it here: www.macys.com/tellus
I've been working on a letter for the last two months! I made it clear that I'm pleased with many of the changes they have made, and I have some constructive criticism for them in some areas as well (particularly with the merchandising mix, which I've been told is going to be addressed).
The trouble is, I've been trying to condense it, and I haven't had much time to devote to it with work, family stuff, and preparing for grad school next semester...so maybe I'll get it some time before Christmas.
There are security cameras in at least a couple of spots on the building, so you'd think the thieves would've been spotted. Added security could be as simple as adding a few more cameras- and I think every decorated window should have a security camera in place if they don't already.
Can't they use shatter proof glass for these store windows, the type where if you throw a brick at it, it just bounces off. Can't be too expensive my old fraternity house had it.
Also I found a nice winter jacket at the Galleria, but delayed my purchase so I could by it downtown at lunchtime. Come to find out they don't carry those higher-end lines at the downtown store. I have heard similar stories from other friends that work downtown. I made sure to mention it (in a helpful way) to the salesman that the store lost out on a nice sized purchase, I will post my experience at the link you provided.
Shopping with my wife we also noticed different lines of womens clothing between Galleria and South County, for example no Michael Kors in SoCo.
^ I heard from multiple salespeople that more clothing lines are going to be added to the downtown Macy's store. I never got the chance to get them to elaborate on those statements, though. What lines, and when they'll be added, all of that remains to be seen.
Shatterproof glass is a great idea- I don't know why it wasn't used in the first place.
And if not shatterproof glass, at least an alarm of some kind. It takes at least a few minutes to move a couch out of a window and onto a truck. Then again, the St Louis PD isn't always the quickest to the scene. A camera would be ideal. It would be well worth the expense.
I hope there are more lines added. I found a pair of polo/RL cargo pants for husband online at Macys but DT didn't have them.
The success of stores like paperdolls should suggest to Macy's that the downtown area would be receptive to better lines. If the stolen couch was any indication, the furniture selection looks impressive.
Amen. Here we have numerous people who WANT to shop at the DT Macy's, but can't find the brands they're looking for. I'm sure there are many more out there like us.
I third this. The Macy's in the Galleria has tons of nice apparel. I was impressed. DT Macy's, you're pretty lucky to find something... I'll believe the "expanded lines" line when I see it....
DeBaliviere wrote:^
Amen. Here we have numerous people who WANT to shop at the DT Macy's, but can't find the brands they're looking for. I'm sure there are many more out there like us.
I'm in total agreement about the increased selection at the Galleria store as compared to DT.
I would add that the menswear folks are MUCH more helpful and knowledgeable at the Galleria store as well. Those fellows have been there a long time and really know what they're doing.
These days, it's nice to go to a store every couple of months (or years) and see familiar faces that you know will provide good service.
I haven't shopped Macy's Gallaria, but I have the D.T. location. With memories of downtown Famous Barr still fresh in my mind, the new Macy's was a real shock. The layout, brand variety and pricing reminded me of Target -- Walmart even. I don't think Macy's thinks much of the downtown market, such as it is now. That market will have to prove it's more than just public/subsidized housing folks. But I do think it will change given time.
I went shopping again at the downtown Macy's last Saturday. It wasn't loaded with people by any means, but for a Saturday that wasn't a gameday it was certainly busier than I expected.
When I was on the fourth floor, where some of the ladies' merchandise is located, I noticed that the Cafe Express (on the Olive Street skybridge) is open on Saturdays now. Also, the selling space on this floor has been somewhat reduced, and by the elevators on the Olive Street side there is a set of doors with a sign reading "The Oasis" above. Has anyone heard anything about this, or exactly what it is?
Built St. Louis is a great website with pictures of the Railway Exchange Building from the Famous-Barr days. However, in their write-up about the building, they suggest that the downtown Macy's is an outlet store. I know some of us are disappointed by the lack of variety in the merchandise mix so far, but if that's the case, that's news to me.
correct - "outlet" meaning Macy's Outlet - not outlet store.
I for one, think that the Downtown Macy's store has better items in a lot of categories. Home furnishings, furniture, childrens clothing and Men's clothing. I don't quite understand some of the comments here. The store has 7 floors of shopping - and I find that they have more merchandise than most of their suburban "outlets".
More isnt always better. I was at the Galleria store a few weeks back and the merchandise it better and more plentiful. I am telling you, no one will shop at the DT Macy's if they do NOT provide BETTER merchandise than the other stores in the area. They should make in a flagship store that is better than all the rest in the area. If this doesnt happen if wont take long until we say goodbye.
I was in town during the world series (I had tickets to game 4, which was rained out and then had to fly home without seeing the game) and to get my wife some Cards gear for the game that night, we went downtown and bought her a shirt at Macys. The imrpovements on the ground floor over the last time I had been in there (Christmass 2005). The slection in the merchanide and the way it is presented has been imrpoved.
Yet there is still a ways to go. The upper levels, especialy some of the womens levels need serious updatings (ie. a new coat of paint and some new display cases).
But we can't expect everything all at once. Macy's put in a bit of money for some upgrades. If these upgrades yeild improvements in sales downtown, I belive they will follow with more upgrades (including merchandise). So the best you can do is patronize the store when possible and hope for the best. I really wish they would do more extensive renovations to bring back the special charms of a downtown store, such as lost deco details on the floor, but I also understand that after a closer inspection, the reason many of the details have been covered is to provide space to install the required modern fixtures, such as new lighting and fire sprinkliers.
Downtown2007 wrote:More isnt always better. I was at the Galleria store a few weeks back and the merchandise it better and more plentiful. I am telling you, no one will shop at the DT Macy's if they do NOT provide BETTER merchandise than the other stores in the area. They should make in a flagship store that is better than all the rest in the area. If this doesnt happen if wont take long until we say goodbye.
I agree!
Some of their merchandise was missing buttons! I tried on Kenneth Cole and Perry Ellis dress pants only to find out some of the buttons were missing! That really is not acceptable, even if the pants are 75% off. No one can wear pants if there are missing buttons.
The staff was overly friendly but after finding my size, color, and styles I love, I was very disappointed to see the pants were not able to be purchased.
We can't forget that this stuff might be some of the older Famous items which they are trying to sell off. That might be the explanation.
For the love of God. I am really hoping this was an exception.
I go to Famous/Macy's for quality. It would have been very disappointing to anyone to have that experience. Luckily I have not had that, but do not doubt you did.
Doug wrote:Some of their merchandise was missing buttons! I tried on Kenneth Cole and Perry Ellis dress pants only to find out some of the buttons were missing! That really is not acceptable, even if the pants are 75% off. No one can wear pants if there are missing buttons.
I must've lucked out. And we have similarly good taste.
Several weeks ago, right around the time that Famous-Barr officially became Macy's, I found Kenneth Cole AND Perry Ellis dress pants that fit well and were marked 75% off, and I had no problems with the merchandise. I'm not making excuses, but based on the many satisfactory purchases I've made there, I'm guessing (and I truly hope) that your experience was an exception.
I only get aggravated with the lack of some clothing lines because I'd rather make ALL of my Macy's purchases at the downtown store. Like JMedwick, though, I think that given time there will be more upgrades and improvements.
I still wish they would open up the street/retail windows like the must have existed years ago. Make it a truly unique flagship store. Something that one might find in Europe or New York, Chicago. The windows are at least 10 feet tall, and the awnings cover up several feet more. This could be a truly cosmopolitan store that NOTHING in the suburbs could compete with.
Did you check the pockets for the replacement buttons provided by the manufacturer? At 75 percent off, I would have purchased and taken them to a tailor and had the buttons replaced. But I'm a guy - a men's suit that starts at $300 and up would've been well worth it.
On Saturday I went to the mother ship Macy's in New York and came away with a few thoughts on the heals of my recent visit to the Macy's in downtown St. Louis.
One thing I and others have talked about in the past is the need make the downtown Macy’s really stand out. The thing that struck me as I made my way up all 9 or 10 floors of the New York store was that outside of some details (older escalators and the 1st floor) many looked like a typical department store. Elevator banks reeked of remodeling in the 1960’s. The store was clean and taken care of. Merchandise was often (but not always) presented well and the store was not too cluttered. In some areas the original high ceilings and decorative columns had been preserved, but it was not constant and on the upper floors, the columns were only exposed if they fit the style Macy’s was trying to promote with their clothes. On the first floor, particularly on the Broadway side of the store, is where the high quality came out, as Macy’s had preserved many of the older features of the store, such as the decorative columns.
So how does this translate to any ideas about downtown’s Macy’s?
Well for starters, I don’t think the downtown store is as far away from being decent quality (appearance-wise) as I had originally thoughts. If Macy’s takes the time to keep the interiors looking fresh and new combined with good product presentation and lighting, the upper floors are in good shape. In some areas, the older decorative columns can be exposed, but it is not necessary to have a high quality functioning downtown store. Here we are talking about new lighting and a fresh coat of paint. Just keep it looking up-to-date. That is the key.
The areas where the major rehabs are needed are in 3 separate areas.
1. The first floor should be the nicest. Peal back the glass-covered columns and lets see what’s underneath. This area should be the nicest of the store and feature as much of the traditional style of a downtown flagship store as possible. The recent improvements are a step in the right direction, but more must take place.
2. Elevators should also reflect the style seen on the ground floor. I know Macy’s didn’t do this, but I think it is a good way to take the downtown St. Louis store to the next level.
3. Escalators should reflect the style seen on the ground floor and/or should reflect the deco/ streamlined style which remains on some floors. In this case we are talking about the rounded silver overhangs at the entrances and exists to the escalators and the nice looking floor tiles that state the floor you are on when you reach that floor.
Good ideas all. I'm going to make a point to go in there tomorrow and purchase something/anything during the sale. Let's get those sales figures up! With the mall troubles, maybe DT Macy's can have the highest holiday sales ever.
Matt wrote:Good ideas all. I'm going to make a point to go in there tomorrow and purchase something/anything during the sale. Let's get those sales figures up! With the mall troubles, maybe DT Macy's can have the highest holiday sales ever.
I agree - I've probably spent more at that store in the last 12 months than I had in every other year combined. I made it my goal to do as much of my Christmas shopping there as possible last year, and was able to do almost all of it there (and the gifts I bought went over very well!).
