For 100 years the "Boys" in Philadelphia have been able to say, "meet me at the Eagle and I will show you the huge organ"and this was a perfectly acceptable plan. Now in New York the Eagle would be a particular leather bar and the organ would inevitably be smaller than described. But in Philly the Eagle is a huge cast bronze statue. The huge Organ, is not a euphemism for a male body part, it is a very large organ built for a world's fair, bought by Wanamaker's Department Store in Philadelphia and installed in the grand courtyard of the store about 100 years ago. I have seen the organ, it is HUGE.
Wanamaker's was bought by Macy's and the store has slowly closed, one floor and department at a time shrinking, and recently it was announced that the store will close this spring.
The demise of department stores has been long ongoing, painful, and slow. Death by a thousand cuts. I have fond memories in the middle 1960's of the massive JL Hudson's department store on Woodward Avenue in downtown Detroit. The first time I was there, I bought my first pocket size transistor radio. Up on about the 12th floor was a department that sold radios, televisions, and cameras. I saw the radio in the case, insisted that I had to see it, then surprised the daylights out of my father when I peeled off the cash to buy it. As I recall it was about $20, I was about 10 years old, my father was surprised I had that kind of cash and no one knew about it. Being quiet about having two-nickels to rub together started early for me. Slowly department stores did away with departments. Hudson's closed electronics and cameras in the early 1970s, along with hats, gloves, mens formal wear. There was a time when you could go into a store like Hudson's or Wanamakers and buy anything you can buy today on Amazon. The departments and selection have steadily declined over the past 60 years, now you have a choice of 20 shades of blue and grey trousers. 70% of the floor space in a typical department store in the US is ladies clothing. The stores have closed one cut at a time, at the same time alternatives have expanded. Hudson's is also a victim of merger with Macy's is closing three of the few remaining stores this year.
So what about the Eagle and Huge Organ in Philly? Those items are protected by the historical society, they can't be changed or moved without approval. Negotiations with the building owner are centered on continuing public access to these treasures. It would be a great building to convert to a hotel or apartments, with the central courtyard remaining open to the public.
The grand Hudson's store on Woodward Avenue, it was imploded about 40 years ago. The video of the implosion brings tears to my eyes.
I have many ties to this building and the organ. Have heard it played many, many times, and will be there for its final concert next month. I hope you got to enjoy it at least once Penguin? Our family shopped there for years and years, 3 generations... till John Wanamakers closed, not so much Macy's. Actually, can't stand Macys. My ex- boss from Bloomingdales is the current chief visual Manager for the store the last two years, so when he texted me the news two weeks ago, I was shocked.... and all of Philly I suppose was stunned. The building is slated to be shuttered, the first time since the mid 1830's....till the owning company can decide what to do with the cavernous city block building. My friend Brian, the visual manager, was saying the owning company has already walked through and they've been overheard, and seen, last week already listing off things that can be removed. I don't think anyone thinks the organ or lightshow is safe. Mayor Parker and city council would sell the organ and other assets for 3 cents to the nearest billionaire if it meant they'll get a pay day from it. The public has already been pretty loud about it NOT becoming condos. Philly has too many condo buildings now, it's sinful. Either way, it is the end of an era and the last department store in Philly. And quite possibly the end of the world's largest pipe organ. I have a post coming up shorty.
ReplyDeleteI think the apartment idea has been ruled out too. With the building being so deep in from the outside windows, some apartments wouldn't have windows, or they would have to be extremely big and very long apartments, to get any natural light with the perimeter windows. Last I heard, the upper floors may be offices, with the grand court remaining a general public lobby of sorts.
It’s sad to see the grand old department stores go. I read that Macy’s Downtown Brooklyn will also be closing its doors. But I’ve heard so much (especially from Maddy) about the old Wanamaker’s store. I would have loved to have seen it in its hay day.
ReplyDeleteFrom the post name, I was already forming double entendres in my mind, but then you spoiled that with the bleeding obvious. Shopping malls in the suburbs have to constantly reinvent themselves to remain relevant.
ReplyDeleteMelbourne has two major department stores. There are always reports of sales down, profits down, not enough customers, the threat of online. But in my eyes, they seem to be thriving, even the quite upmarket David Jones, DJ's in young people speak.
I hope there is successful transition for the building.
I think some are thriving. Bergdorf Goodman in New York City is always bustling.
DeleteOh yes, I've enjoyed reading all about the Wanamaker Organ over the years in Mistress Maddie's blog. The big department store chain in Canada was Eatons, which closed about 30 years ago. I miss it still, both for the experience of shopping there and for the quality of its merchandise.
ReplyDelete