Filene's is closing.

[lulubelle]

No Filene's in Southern CA, but they announced last month that Robinsons-May was closing (they carry the Karen Scott brand) and re-opening as Macy's. Along with Liz Clayborne, it is one of my favorites brands. Years ago we had Bullocks (gone), Broadway (Macy's bought), Robinson's and The May Company (they merged and now they are about to be gone!).

I went to a store in Phoenix once I really liked, it was called Dillard's. Are they still around?

Honestly, I shop at Nordstroms more often now, I just have to make sure there is a good sale going on, the other chains seem to have fallen in quality somewhat but customer service, FORGET IT!.

 

[arminnie]

I went to a store in Phoenix once I really liked, it was called Dillard's. Are they still around?

Dillard's is still around. It is based in Little Rock, AR. It's okay, but they have basically blocked any other stores coming into LR. For a metropolitan area our size we have NO shopping.

We have Dillard's and Walmart - the homegrown companies. Our Walmarts are really great though - not like some I've heard described here. We do have one Target, but not a SuperTarget.

 

[Planogirl]

Funny, our Wal-Mart Supercenter is nice too and currently remodeling.

We have slews of Dillards all over DFW. I'm glad that we do, otherwise it would be nothing but Macy's here.

 

[dash]

How sad that Filene's is closing downtown! I used to enjoy "basement" shopping as a college student in Boston. I shop at Macy's by default. Everyone is right about how it isn't what it used to be. My mom used to tell me stories about how it was a special treat to buy outfits at Macy's, but I'll never forget how I bought a skirt to match a suit jacket that I had previously bought. The skirt was filthy (I think I may have found it on the floor) and I had to get it dry cleaned as soon as I bought it because I had a job interview later in the week. Of course it had to be a skirt, because I have difficulty finding pants since I am vertically challenged! I now try to shop elsewhere first.

 

[Alicnwondrln]

How sad that Filene's is closing downtown! I used to enjoy "basement" shopping as a college student in Boston. I shop at Macy's by default. Everyone is right about how it isn't what it used to be. My mom used to tell me stories about how it was a special treat to buy outfits at Macy's, but I'll never forget how I bought a skirt to match a suit jacket that I had previously bought. The skirt was filthy (I think I may have found it on the floor) and I had to get it dry cleaned as soon as I bought it because I had a job interview later in the week. Of course it had to be a skirt, because I have difficulty finding pants since I am vertically challenged! I now try to shop elsewhere first.

i beleive the basement is separate from filenes so it will still be open

 

[dash]

i beleive the basement is separate from filenes so it will still be open

Excellent!!!! The basement was something special!

 

[mlg32]

I used to love Macy's too when it was more high end. I think all department stores seem the same anymore. I used to love Marshall Field's it was such a classy department store but they all became Kauffmans in my area and now Macys which was Lazarus about a year ago its just a shame. I will say to anyone getting a Nordstrom's I am so jealous it is just a Fab store--although I can't afford anything but a girl can dream, their makeup and shoes...a shoppers paradise!

 

[scoutsmom99]

For those who are interested these are the names of the stores that were under the May Company umbrealla. Many locations are either becoming Macy's or closing becuase there is already a Macy's location in the mall or general area. I know here in MN we are not losing any stores as our only Macy's is at the Mega Mall. All of the Marshall Field's stores will unviel the Macy's nameplate together at the beginning of September.

May operated 491 department stores under the names of Famous-Barr, Filene's, Foley's, Hecht's, Kaufmann's, Lord & Taylor, L.S. Ayres, Marshall Field's, Meier & Frank, Robinsons-May, Strawbridge's, and The Jones Store. May currently operates in 46 states, the District of Columbia, and Puerto Rico

May also owned 239 David's Bridal stores, 449 After Hours Formalwear stores, and 11 Priscilla of Boston stores

For folks who are used to Marshall Field's the good news is that a lot of the merchandise will stay the same as Minneapolis will become the HQ for the Macy's North division. Which, will be all of the old Field's stores and the Macys at the Mall of America. This is good because a lot of the current brands that are carried now will continue to be carried in the stores (obviously not the Marshall Field's house brands...those will go away and the Macy's private brands will be introduced).

 

[scoutsmom99]

I will say to anyone getting a Nordstrom's I am so jealous it is just a Fab store--although I can't afford anything but a girl can dream, their makeup and shoes...a shoppers paradise!

You just have to keep an eye out for the semi annual sales at Nordys...they are the best!!!

 

[Bella the Ball 360]

I loved Filenes and I loved it even more when they owned the Basement in Boston. Filenes Basment was the place I cut my bargain searching teeth. The upstairs was where you went for a treat. Now they are all just so mundane. By the way who remembers the windows at Christmas(boston)?? They had the best and they had the best Santa when I was growing up. he was in the window on Hawley ST. When we were little parents would hold up kids names on a piece of paper(kids were so transfixed by santa no one noticed) and he would look out and say your name and ask you if you had been good that year AND sometimes mention some of the things on your list. It was one of my best Christmas memories.

 

[shamrock30]

I hate it that Filene's is closing. It had the only decent petite department in our mall. I guess we'll be getting a Nordstrom, but not until 2010! I'm wondering how long Lord and Taylor will last, since Macy's owns them too.

 

[Kimberle]

I hate it that Filene's is closing. It had the only decent petite department in our mall. I guess we'll be getting a Nordstrom, but not until 2010! I'm wondering how long Lord and Taylor will last, since Macy's owns them too.

I think L&T will be fine. Macy's has owned them for several years now. L&T is more "high end" than Macy's. (I remember when Macy's used to be "high end"....)

 

[Imzadi]

Any news on what's happening to the NYC stores? I love this store!

 

[pumba]

when we went to our mall in Maine......I saw a man outside the rotary with a sign saying 40-60 percent off....at Filenes.......now I understand why?
weird isnt' it

 

[AllyandJack]

It's sad. Back in high school, my best friend and I used to love to X-Mas shop at Downtown Crossing. Now, not only is Filene's closing, but it's a lousy area. Things are going downhill fast. We went back in 2004 for the first time in about 5 years figuring it would be fun. It was a horrendous experience and we got out of there fast.

 

[Caradana]

I've only been to the Boscov's at the Granite Run Mall in Media, PA. I thought it was a nice enough store, wish we had one down here.

Hi Blondie,
Was just @ the Granite Run Mall today. My future sister-in-law is a buyer for Boscov's and reports that they're opening their first Virginia location soon.

 

[Caradana]

Does this mean that the Filene's Basements will be disappearing, too?

 

[Kimberle]

Does this mean that the Filene's Basements will be disappearing, too?

They are completely different companies. But who knows, Macy's might "gobble" them up too!

 

[JayCT]

Kim - I too will miss Filenes but not as much as I miss G. Fox or even Reads. These were both great Connecticut based department stores that were gobbled up by larger regional companies. They had great merchandise that catered to New England tastes. Macy's is trying to become national, but unfortunately what flies in California will not fly in New England. Then again, the world is changing. It is funny though that the reason the Macy's name has won out over some of the other great department store names (Fields, Bon, Burdines, etc.) is because it has national recognition due to the movie "Miracal on 34th Street" and the nationally televised "Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade" Jay

 

[Kimberle]

Kim - I too will miss Filenes but not as much as I miss G. Fox or even Reads. These were both great Connecticut based department stores that were gobbled up by larger regional companies. They had great merchandise that catered to New England tastes. Macy's is trying to become national, but unfortunately what flies in California will not fly in New England. Then again, the world is changing. It is funny though that the reason the Macy's name has won out over some of the other great department store names (Fields, Bon, Burdines, etc.) is because it has national recognition due to the movie "Miracal on 34th Street" and the nationally televised "Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade" Jay

Yup, I remember G Fox & Reads. How about Jordon Marsh? Another great New England department store.

Another one I miss from my High School days back in Minnesota is Brett's. I'm sure no one on this thread will remember them. It was a small chain (maybe 20 stores or less), upper class department store. It was "the" store to buy your prom dress, wedding dress, etc.