Macy's Downtown, 601 Olive Street - CLOSED

meteo · PostSep 09, 2008#5512008-09-09T16:30+00:00

tds127 wrote:But make it retail that people will utilize. Not all upscale boutique retailers that are all down Washington that no one patronizes. For instance, a CVS or Walgreens, a Gap (just because), and a chain restaurant. And go from there, but get the building open again-it needs life in it-and utilize people's fond memories of it. I've read enough of them on websites-this can be done!

If you haven't been down Washington Avenue in awhile I encourage you to check it out. It's not far from Macy's (I live on Washington and have made the short walk to the Macy's area a number of times) and the boutique retailers have items that aren't any more expensive than what is at, say, the Galleria. Plus, there are a number of restaurants which in my experience are as good or better than most chain restaurants. If there is any specific type of food or retail item you happen to be interested in sometime, feel free to let me know and I'd be happy to let you know where you can find it in the downtown/Washington/garment district area.

threeonefour · PostSep 09, 2008#5522008-09-09T16:31+00:00

matguy70 wrote:Ok, let's talk reality here. Not "whah whah whah - Macy's is screwing STL" ...

I cannot speak for everyone. However, I don't think people are being negative about Macy's so much as they're looking at the big picture.

Macy's bought up May to go BIG. They did it and it was done. But then a little thing happened with the economy and the business environment in the past 16 months. Not only is that causing a pinch... Macy's has had some problems converting markets to the Macy's name and brand (i/e Marshall Fields).

Let's face it, by absorbing May and assuming that every division's shoppers would embrace its one-size-fits-all strategy, Macy's really bit off more than they could chew. Sales are down overall, with some markets doing worse than others. There's still a backlash, most notably in Chicago. Factor in the economic slowdown, and Macy's has no choice but to trim as much fat as possible. I believe Macy's will try to make a go of the downtown store for as long as possible, and if anything, selling the Railway Exchange Building only helps as they can focus on the store per se and reduce overhead significantly. And I think Macy's is taking at least one crucial step toward better financial health by unloading much of its real estate portfolio nationwide.

While many of us can agree more improvements could and should be made to the store, much has been done already. Like you said, the Christmas window displays and related activities brought large crowds downtown for the holidays. My concern is that they aren't doing enough to entice them to shop downtown from January through October. I'd like to see downtown host some of the special events that are now more common at the Galleria and West County locations. And yes, improving the merchandise mix would go a long way toward wooing shoppers back.

I only worry about the downtown store long-term because (1) the economy may take some time to recover, which means Macy's cost-cutting moves may not achieve desired results, and (2) Spinnaker, which inherited Pyramid's stalled projects like Mercantile Exchange, hasn't done much if anything to indicate they're moving forward with MX. Furthermore, I believe MX is crucial to downtown's overall health more than any other big-ticket project, and it's essential if Macy's ever hopes to bring back shoppers from the suburbs even occasionally, instead of relying solely on downtown workers, downtown residents, and people attending conventions.

Macy's has been very successful doing so in STL however... which in itself is quite interesting (and strange) considering Famous and May were STL!

BUT, Downtown St. Louis HAS Macy's still. The store is doing well and holding it's own and I am sure Macy's also does not want a "Marshall Fields" backlash in STL as they have other places. Keeping the downtown store is / should be a priority to maintain St. Louis' business and acceptance. It also see's Downtown St. Louis' new market and opportunity. In addition, Downtown St. Louis' tourism and Macy's exposure. Have you ever seen the amount of tourist shopping at the Downtown Macy's? Conventions draw them it that place.

True. Although, as JMedwick said, I'm not sure many people beyond this forum would care all that much if the downtown store closed.

I completely agree about making the viability of the downtown store a priority, although at some point I think at least part of that responsibility may be shouldered by the City of St. Louis. As much as I hate incentives, I think in this case they would be in the city's best interests, especially if much of the Railway Exchange Building can be successfully converted to mixed-use and the store could be improved as well. And, as part of the larger Mercantile Exchange development, if it's done right it may finally appeal to suburban residents once again.[/quote]

debaliviere · PostSep 09, 2008#5532008-09-09T18:45+00:00

^

You're definitely right about the interior of the Railway Exchange; the offices I've seen had low, drop ceilings with accoustical tile. I wonder what's behind the tile - not sure what the original ceiling in an office building of that vintage would look like.

It's too bad that a variety of forces conspired to kill off the area around the building - it should be the heart of a thriving retail district as opposed to an island. Imagine if the Boyd's Building and the other buildings along Olive were still intact, instead of a parking lot and a garage. Imagine if the Ambassador was still standing and there wasn't a parking lot at 7th and Locust next to Lashley & Baer. Imagine if St. Louis Centre was never built and the Mercantile Exchange complex was occupied. Ugh.

jmedwick · PostSep 09, 2008#5542008-09-09T19:27+00:00

Hmmm.. Macy's is looking to sell and a number of major downtown law firms are looking for sizable chunks of space. I know others mentioned some time ago that Husch and Blackwell could be looking for a combined space. Maybe they would be interested in the building and attached parking garage, particularity if the firm were to get federal and state tax credits for rehabbing the building into modern office space.

threeonefour · PostSep 09, 2008#5552008-09-09T19:43+00:00

DeBaliviere wrote:It's too bad that a variety of forces conspired to kill off the area around the building - it should be the heart of a thriving retail district as opposed to an island. Imagine if the Boyd's Building and the other buildings along Olive were still intact, instead of a parking lot and a garage. Imagine if the Ambassador was still standing and there wasn't a parking lot at 7th and Locust next to Lashley & Baer. Imagine if St. Louis Centre was never built and the Mercantile Exchange complex was occupied. Ugh.

I think about that area of downtown often, as like I said before, I have a vague recollection of what it was like pre-St. Louis Centre. Senseless demolitions like the Ambassador Theater and Boyd's have left Macy's isolated in a way that I could not have imagined back then, when conventional wisdom dictated that St. Louis Centre was just what the doctor ordered to shore up that part of downtown long-term.

publiceye · PostSep 09, 2008#5562008-09-09T21:16+00:00

-Pause in the discussion-

Just about everything fun you remember about Famous came out of the head of this person: http://www.weisswrite.com/

She was a hoot. May she rest in peace.

debaliviere · PostOct 14, 2008#5572008-10-14T17:53+00:00

They've consolidated all of the men's wear on the second floor, which makes a lot of sense. Dress shirts, ties and suits are all together now.

jmedwick · PostOct 14, 2008#5582008-10-14T22:26+00:00

^What replaced it on the first floor? I recommend that women's shoes go down there.

threeonefour · PostOct 14, 2008#5592008-10-14T23:38+00:00

DeBaliviere wrote:They've consolidated all of the men's wear on the second floor, which makes a lot of sense. Dress shirts, ties and suits are all together now.

That makes sense to me, and I think it's a good idea, although the casual clothing selection for men is even more dreadful than it was before. There's still plenty of wasted space and questionable merchandise choices- they could do much better IMHO.

JMedwick, ladies' suits and business wear are now where the men's dress shirts and accessories used to be on the Sixth Street side of the main level.

debaliviere · PostOct 15, 2008#5602008-10-15T13:25+00:00

ThreeOneFour wrote:That makes sense to me, and I think it's a good idea, although the casual clothing selection for men is even more dreadful than it was before. There's still plenty of wasted space and questionable merchandise choices- they could do much better IMHO.

And hopefully someday they will re-open the northeast corner of the fourth floor where the mall connection once was. They used to have a decent selection of athletic wear in that area. It's an awfully large amount of space that they blocked off.

metzgda · PostOct 15, 2008#5612008-10-15T14:07+00:00

Went by Macy's for the first time yesterday after work. The first floor is pretty nice - definately decent lighting and makes a good first impression. Unfortunately things generally looked not as nice the higher the floors got.

That being said, however, a sales associate in the Men's department said they are having a big sale Friday/Saturday. According to him everything will be on sale, although he didn't give anymore specifics.

I'm going to hit it on Saturday so everyone should check it out and get some good deals this weekend!

the central scrutinizer · PostOct 15, 2008#5622008-10-15T19:46+00:00

metzgda wrote:Went by Macy's for the first time yesterday after work. The first floor is pretty nice - definately decent lighting and makes a good first impression. Unfortunately things generally looked not as nice the higher the floors got.

That being said, however, a sales associate in the Men's department said they are having a big sale Friday/Saturday. According to him everything will be on sale, although he didn't give anymore specifics.

I'm going to hit it on Saturday so everyone should check it out and get some good deals this weekend!

If it's anything like the old Famous, they have a "big sale" every weekend.

threeonefour · PostNov 13, 2008#5632008-11-13T03:33+00:00

I've visited the downtown Macy's twice in the last couple of weeks. As I said before, the available selection of men's casual wear is perhaps worse than it's ever been unless you're over 50 or under 25, and even then it leaves a lot to be desired. (Since I'm 34, unless I'm in the mood to buy a suit, it looks like I'll be doing the bulk of my Macy's shopping at the Galleria or West County Center for the forseeable future.)

I suppose the elimination of Macy's Midwest (i.e., what was left of the May Company headquarters) had something to do with this, or maybe it's due to the eventual plan to tear down the old St. Louis Centre skybridge, but now the lobby entrance on Locust Street is closed. And it looks like crap. Yes, both of the Locust Street entrances are open, and the corner windows are decorated, but the blacked out windows where the lobby used to be make the space seem even more lifeless than it did before (not unlike the Seventh Street entrance, which has been closed for several years now).

On a happier note, many of the storefront windows (esp. on Olive Street) are covered, and Macy's will unveil them and the train display on the Locust/Seventh corner the night before Thanksgiving. Childrens' parades, visits from Santa Claus, and Breakfast with Santa are all still on the calendar this year, which is great because from my personal observations it really brought people back into the store last holiday season.

(Now, if Macy's would do just a little more to bring people to the store the rest of the year...that would be great...)

u2acro · PostNov 14, 2008#5642008-11-14T17:09+00:00

I shopped in the downtown Macy's after the Obama rally (and also after a yummy lunch at B&T). I was looking for a few specific pieces (shapewear, a dress) but also was in a browse-and-buy mood. Unfortunately, I didn't find a ton of options.

I'm 32 and usually shop in the Juniors section because those clothes fit my body best. The selection, though, was a little sparse. There were a number of racks and it was easy to move throughout the floor, but there just wasn't the variety that some of the other Macy's stores have. In addition, the "sales" were not as great as at other Macy's. I don't know how that works, but I knew that some of the identical things were less expensive at the Galleria Macy's than downtown. Maybe because Galleria has more inventory to begin with and thus can put more on sale and clearance?

It wasn't a bad shopping experience -- I didn't find the building depressing or anything. I just didn't find what I was looking for.

bikinʹ_man · PostNov 14, 2008#5652008-11-14T18:38+00:00

i like shopping at that one. it always seems as if they are giving stuff away. i remember once, i was in town for a wedding and forgot some good pants. i wound up getting 4 pairs of pants for about $20. can't beat that. my wife got a new jacket, shirt and a dress for about $30. i guess we got lucky. but it seems to be that way every time i'm there.

matguy70 · PostNov 18, 2008#5662008-11-18T19:30+00:00

CHRISTMAS STARTS FRIDAY EVENING AT MACY'S DOWNTOWN

Macy’s Festival of Lights

Friday November 21st

The Christmas season officially kicks off with the Macy's Holiday Festival of Lights at the May Amphitheatre in Kiener Plaza, downtown Saint Louis. The event runs from 4:30 p.m – 6:30 p.m Friday, November 21st. We'll flip the magic switch that will bring Downtown Saint Louis alive with lights, followed by a dazzling fireworks display to light up the night sky. Following the official program, Santa – in a horse-drawn carriage down 7th Street lined with luminaries – will lead a procession from Keiner Plaza to Macy's for photo opportunities, more music and entertainment, cookies, hot chocolate and coffee. Macy's will unveil their 2008 Holiday Windows with your Master of Ceremonies is 103.3 KLOU Morning Man Smash.

The event will feature:

Clowns & Face Painters

Fred Bird

Snerdlich from Children’s Hospital

Choir and Solo Musical Performances

A reading of ’Twas The Night Before Christmas by KMOV TV's Robin Smith

PostNov 19, 2008#5672008-11-19T04:01+00:00

Here's a bunch more info.

Taking 16 family and friends to the celebration. Hope you all can join in the fun and support Downtown, Macy's Downtown, etc...

MACY’S HOLIDAY FESTIVAL OF LIGHTS AND WINDOW UNVEILING

Friday, November 21, 2007

Location: Kiener Plaza, Downtown St. Louis & Macy’s Downtown St. Louis – 601 Olive, St. Louis MO

Hours: 5 pm – 8 pm, store open until 10 pm

MACY’S HOLIDAY FESTIVAL OF LIGHTS AND WINDOW UNVEILING

Macy’s sponsors annual kick-off to the Holiday Season and Unveils Holiday Windows

Who/What: Join Macy’s and Christmas in St. Louis for the kick off of the holiday season Wednesday, November 21 with the Macy’s Holiday Festival of Lights in Kiener Plaza. Enjoy performances by the Winter Muny Kids, the Variety Children’s Chorus, and the Central and Visual Performing Arts High School Jazz Show Choir. The event will include a reading of The Night before Christmas and welcome the arrival of Santa Claus. Mayor Slay, Macy’s executives and other dignitaries will be on hand to light up the night with the lighting of the Salvation Army Tree of Lights and a Fireworks Finale.

Following the celebration at Kiener Plaza, Santa will lead visitors to the downtown St. Louis Macy’s store to unveil the Macy’s animated holiday window displays, featuring “Yes, Virginia, there is a Santa Claus”. Charlie Brennan from KMOX-Radio will emcee the unveiling ceremony.

After the window unveiling Macy’s will host a holiday open house with floors of fun family activities in the downtown store until 9pm.

Complimentary hot chocolate and treats will be served throughout the evening while supplies last. Free Parking for the event will be available in the Macy’s Parking Garage (see store for details).

When/Where: Wednesday, Nov. 21, 2007

Macy’s Holiday Festival of Lights

5 pm – 6:30 pm

Kiener Plaza, Downtown St. Louis

Macy’s Holiday Window Unveiling

6:45 pm

Macy’s Downtown St. Louis – On Olive Street near 7th Street

Macy’s Holiday Open House and Shopping Extravaganza

7 pm – 8 pm, store open until 10pm

Macy’s Downtown St. Louis – 601 Olive, St. Louis MO

All events are free and open to the public.

HERE'S WHAT'S HAPPENING THIS SPECIAL HOLIDAY EVENT NIGHT:

Macy’s Holiday Open House – 7 pm – 8 pm, store open until 10 pm

On the 1st Floor

• Visit Santa in his sleigh. Children can bring their Christmas wish lists and parents can bring their cameras to create a holiday keepsake

• Performance by the Central and Visual and Performing Arts High School Jazz Show Choir

• View the Macy’s Magical Gingerbread Village (11’ x 12’), created by the pastry chefs from The Ritz-Carlton, St. Louis

On the 2nd Floor

• Craft Alliance will be on-hand to help children create a special holiday craft

• Performances by Team STAGES and a holiday juggler

On the 3rd Floor

• Meet Fredbird and have your picture taken with Mrs. Claus

• Clown balloon artists

On the 4th Floor• Musical performances by the kids from Radio Disney

On the 5th Floor• Local expert Lana Shepek will share the secrets of making the holidays beautiful

• Children can write their wish list to Santa at our “North Pole Post Office”

• Face painting artists

About Macy’s

Macy's, the largest retail brand of Macy’s, Inc.

Macy's Downtown St. Louis offers seven floors of shopping and three restaurant/cafe venues. The store is located in the central business district in the heart of the city.

Macy's Midwest is based in St. Louis and operates 113 stores in nine states. For additional media materials, please visit our online pressroom at www.macys.com/pressroom

Website: http://www.macys.com/pressroom

Contact : Nathan Shore

Contact Phone: 314-641-2882

Contact Email: nathan.shore@macys.com

threeonefour · PostNov 19, 2008#5682008-11-19T16:31+00:00

^ matguy, thanks for providing all the information so everyone has details! My family of three will be there, hopefully others here can check it out as well!

The description of the downtown store mentions three dining options. I'm well aware of Papa Fabarre's on the 2nd floor and the Saint Louis Room on Level 6, but I don't know of a third option. Not that long ago, there was an area on the 4th floor pedestrian bridge that featured snacks and beverages, and I remember when there was a restaurant in the basement and a Baskin-Robbins (later an Edy's) in the store's NE corner near the intersection of Sixth and Locust streets. I've heard rumors of a third restaurant, maybe even a food court in the basement, but that was some time ago and I haven't heard anything since.

Given the steady business at their current restaurants, I think a quick-service option would do well.

Anyway, I'm looking forward to what Macy's has to offer for the holidays. Now, about that pitiful selection of men's casual clothing, I guess it's time to write a letter instead of complaining here.

matguy70 · PostNov 21, 2008#5692008-11-21T19:32+00:00

The Macy's Garage was Free tonight.

We actually rode the Metro BLUE line into downtown and walked over from 8th and Pine. We arrived just as the windows were being unveiled and we began our walk around the building. Cold as crap tonight... thought we were in NYC's weather instead of STL's.

The crowds were great and the windows were excellent again this year - a few new windows on the west side of Macy's on the 7th Street side.

The train window looked better and bigger this year than ever before. I loved the piped in music and carolers on the streets - and Macy's pumped in fake snow falling above the windows from machines. Very nice touch!

But the really beautiful part of tonight was the inside of the store. All floors completely decorated and they were filled with merchandise and looks great. Floors 1-5 had tons of things going on and a lot of people! Santa has been moved to the third floor (Childrens clothes and toys Department) and has a GREAT set this year.... better than the first floor sleigh he had last year. Much more space and really decorated! We waited about an hour to get to See Santa tonight. He NEVER took a break and was the "real" deal not that mall Santa! I overheard a little girl say "Mom that's the REAL Santa... look at him!" So cute!!!!!

Macy's had elf helpers on every floor and at the street entrances with candy for everyone and the choirs, musicians, jugglers, dancers, etc... on the many floors were a lot of fun and the crowds and kids of all ages were really enjoying the fun.

It was great to see and you have to give it to Macy's to know how to draw the crowds downtown at the holiday's and this year they really out did themselves.

Don't forget that Santa is now downtown til Xmas Eve and he is having breakfast Sat and Sun AM's ... but I hear they are almost all sold out already.

A Lot of pictures... hope you enjoy.

Merry Christmas!!!

This picture has to be the best! CLASSIC MACY'S CHRISTMAS!

debaliviere · PostNov 28, 2008#5702008-11-28T17:47+00:00

Good crowd today - more people than I remember being at Macy's last year. The MO state football championships really help - lots of people killing time until their team plays.

1000washington · PostNov 28, 2008#5712008-11-28T19:09+00:00

Looks like Macy's is going all out. Did they also add additional stock, or is it still a shell of a store?

I wonder why they don't give a damn the other ~335 days of the year.

matguy70 · PostNov 29, 2008#5722008-11-29T21:16+00:00

The store looks great. Went shopping there on Black Friday... it was busy - busy and I loved seeing that.

As for merchandise - you can see by the pics - they have packed the store full of goodies... looks great.

southsidepride · PostDec 01, 2008#5732008-12-01T15:37+00:00

I went to downtown Macy's on Sat. Busier than I have seen it in a long time, but there's something about that store as compared to the Galleria or West county that is more relaxing. Maybe it's not having to navigate the packed mall parking lot.

Anyways they had great deals and the service was exceptional. Macy's hasn't had as good selection of men's clothing as Famous did IMO, but that's a companywide thing, not a downtown Macy's thing

threeonefour · PostDec 01, 2008#5742008-12-01T20:23+00:00

southsidepride wrote:Macy's hasn't had as good selection of men's clothing as Famous did IMO, but that's a companywide thing, not a downtown Macy's thing

That's a very good point. The men's selection isn't as good as it was with Famous-Barr, although my wife will tell you she now has a much easier time finding clothes that she likes there than she did when it was Famous. So in our household it's a draw. FWIW I've been shopping more at Dillard's in the last couple of years.

That said, the men's selection downtown is still weaker than it is at South County or St. Clair Square, let alone the top-tier stores in our area like Saint Louis Galleria or West County Center. I've written Macy's to make my opinions known, but I'm still waiting for a proper response. (I'll take a stab at it and guess that the lack of a response at this point has something to do with the shots being called in Atlanta instead of upstairs in the Railway Exchange Building, but who knows...)

PostDec 09, 2008#5752008-12-09T20:55+00:00

As I was driving aimlessly around the city Saturday morning, my son asked to go to the downtown Macy's to see the windows and the train display. We already made reservations for this Saturday, but we figured we'd stop long enough to let our son see the windows anyway.

Anyway, business was brisk since this week's Breakfast with Santa was wrapping up. Just like last year, parents of children that visited Santa on the third floor are being given free parking passes for the garage. New this year, however, is validated parking. As the lady ringing up my Frangos at the candy counter pointed out, it's only a seasonal thing (unfortunately), but if you spend $25 or more in the store you can park in the garage for $1.

The store is also offering extended hours on Fridays and Saturdays leading up to Christmas, and Papa Fabarre's has Saturday hours from noon until 4 p.m. through the holidays. The business there was brisk, and the service was slow as usual, but I didn't care since I got my French Onion Soup on a Saturday.

Macy's Downtown, 601 Olive Street - CLOSED

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