 | |
|
 |
| The World's Largest Store moved from 14th St. to Herald Square on November 9, 1902, into a richly- detailed Edwardian structure of brick and limestone. |
 |
| In 1924, Macy's expanded westward along 34th St. into a 19-story annex with 4 illumi- nated signs mounted on its roof. |
 |
| Macy's filled almost the entire block in 1931, and cemented its position as the world's largest store by building a massive addition on Seventh Avenue. Interestingly, the store was built above the first floor of an existing 16-story building which was partially demolished. Tenants, including a Horn & Hardart Automat, remained in business during the construction of the Art-deco tower. |
 |
| Macy's store was a familiar landmark and tourist attraction on Herald Square in New York, bustling with crowds and vehicular traffic. |
 |
| The tall Seventh Avenue building faced busy Pennsylvania Station. |
 |
| Macy's iconic street floor was made over in a warm and inviting art-deco style at the time of the Seventh Avenue addition with octagonal columns sheathed in marble. |
 |
| A view eastward along 34th St. illustrates not just the store's great bulk, but its proximity to the Empire State Building as well. |
 |
| "It's Smart to be Thrifty" |
Herald Square
New York, New York
LAckawanna 6-4100
Lower Level
Broadway Macy’s Fascinating Housewares (d.011) • Gadget Wall (d.011) • Bar Shop (d.011) • Closet Shop (d.066) • Laundry Shop (d.066) • Home Care Shop (d.066) • Hearth Shop • Outdoor Shop • Electrics Shop (d.159) • Carrier Cook Shop • Cookware (d.048) • Shelf Shop (d.151) • Hardware Shop (d.151) • Garden Shop (d.151) • Kitchen Furniture (d.116) • Bath Shop (d.120) • Home Lighting (d.259) • Paint Centre (d.160) • Kitchen Planning Centre • Appliances (d.180) • Vacuums (d.275) • Sewing Machines (d.142) • Dutch Treat Luncheonette
Street Floor
Broadway Fine Jewelry (d.079) • Diamond Center (d./189) • Silver Shop (d.005) • Watch Centre (d.478) • Costume Jewelry (d.009) • Cosmetic Boutiques (d.196) • Cosmetics (d.034/076) • Hosiery Centre (d.006) • Handbags (d.112) • Fine Handbag Shop (d.049) • Small Leather Goods (d.037) • Gloves (d.017) • Belts (d.054) • Hat Bar (d.018) • Scarves (d.054) • Blouses (d.080) • Sweaters (d.054) • The Rain Shop (d.040) • Notions (d.003) • Stationery (d.47) • Greeting Cards (d. 047) • Candies (d.016) • Look-in Shop (d.237) • See-in Shop • Drug Centre (d.042) • Pharmacy Centre (d.027) • Electric Razor Centre (s.211)
7th Ave Macy’s Men’s Store Ties (d.003) • Dress Shirts (d.058) • Fine Shirt Shop • Sport Shirts (d.008) • Men’s Knitshirts (d.107) • Pajamas (d.111) • Robes (d.144) • Men’s Accessories (d.069) • Men’s Gifts (d.212) • Smoke Shop (d.036) • Knitwear (d.086) • Men’s Fragrances • Men’s Active Sportswear (d.438 • Men’s Hosiery (d.106) • Macy’s Meat Department • Macy’s Bakery (d.033)
459 7th Avenue at 34th St. Macy’s Fine Wine and Liquor Store • Connoisseur Corner
Balcony
Macy’s Jewelry Brokerage • Macy’s Shopping Service • Electric Shaving Center (d.211) • Business Machines (d.218) • Repair Center • Post Office
Second Floor
Broadway Bras and Girdles (d.126) • Lingerie (d.155) • Daywear (d.007) • Sleep Shop (d.057/062) • Robes (d.064) • Loungewear (d.122) • At Ease (d.153) • The Little Shop of Lingerie • The Little Shop of Accessories • Westsider Sportswear (d.168) • Westsider Dresses (d.053) • Westsider Coats (d.158) • Fur Salon (d.087) • Uniform Centre • Gift Wrap Centre
7th Ave. Macy’s Men’s Store Men’s Formal Wear (d.110) • The Varsity Shop (d.010) • Club Row (d.010) • Men’s Clothing (d.195) • Westgate Shop • Men’s Outerwear (d.113) • Men’s Rainwear (d.102) • Suede and Leather Shop (d.268) • Men’s Shoe Store (d.046) • Hats (d.039) • The Action Shop (d.181) • Tiger Shop
Third Floor
Broadway The Little Shop (d.170) • Young Collectors (d.085) • Expressions (d. 165) • Career Dress Shops (d.134) • The Town Shop (d.138) • Town Shop Suits (d.139) • The Clubhouse (d.176) • After 5 Shop (d.157) • Miss Macy Shop (d.185) • Pants and Partners (d.109) • The Blouse and Shirt Shop (d.063) • Spectator Sportswear Shop (d.094) • Macy’s-by-the-Sea (d.109) • Misses’ Sportswear (d.085) • The South Shop (d.172) • Better Coats (d.055) • The Pants Coat Shop (d.284) • The Raincoat Shop (d.169) • The Great Pretenders • Bridal Salon • Maternity Shop (d.136)
7th Ave. The Scene Junior Sportswear (d.121) • Junior Dresses (d. 115) • The Coatery (d.119) • The Wet ‘n’ Dry Shop • “Suits-Me” • Young Couture (d.245) • The Other Junior (d.215) • The Way-In Shop (d.245) • Under Covers Shop (d.237) • “The End” • Something Else Shop
Fourth Floor
Broadway Fourth Floor for Young People Infants’ Wear (d.065) •Nursery Furniture (d.137) • Grandmere Shop • Toddlers’ Wear (d.061) • GIrls’ Sleepwear (d.043) • Little Sister Shop (d.051) • Girls’ Wear 7-14 (d. 037) • Little Man’s World (d.072) • Children’s Shoes (d.088) • Photo Studio
7th Ave. Charmed Circle Fashions for Young Juniors Young Junior Sportswear (d.214) • Young Junior Coats (d.042) • Young Junior Dresses (d.215 Women’s World Half-Size Coats (d.100) • Women’s Sportswear (d.118) • Women’s Dresses (d.078) • Soup’s On • Gift Wrap Centre
Fifth Floor
Broadway Luggage (d.097) • Camera Shop (d.096) • Stamp and Coin Shop • TV Centre (d.223,271) • Air Conditioning Centre • Custom Sound Centre (d.293) • Radios (d.123) • Music Centre (d.083) • Leisure World (d.038) • Ski Shop • Hunting World • Boy Scout Centre • Travel Service
7th Ave. Books (d.013) • Exhibit Center • Toy City (d.012) • Adult Game (d.147) • Art Supplies (d.141) • Hobby Shop (d.147) • Pet Centre (d.287) • Boys’ Centre (d.058)
Sixth Floor
Broadway Domestics Pavilion Table Linens (d.001) • Sheets (d.092) • Pillows (d.059) • Blankets (d.059) • Bedspreads (d.059) • Comforters (d.059) • Bath Shop (d.120) • Towels (d.091) • World’s Largest Fabric Center (d.014) • Little Shop of Fabrics (d.014) • Needlecraft Shop (d.014) • Trim-a-Tree Shop (d.140) • Gift Wrap Centre
7th Ave. The Shops of Shoes • Miss Manhattan Shop (d.264) • The Boulevard Shop (d.020) • The Town Shop (d.164) • The Comfort Shop (d.102) • Indoor-Outdoor Shop (d.052) • The Little Shop of Shoes (d.093) • Vivo Bar • Murray Space Shoe Repair Shop
Seventh Floor
Broadway Home Furnishing Accessories (d.129) • Pillows (d.191) • Readymade Draperies (d.126) • Curtains (d.126) • Bedspreads (d.127) • Custom-Made Slipcovers, Draperies and Upholstery (d.128) • Wallpaper • Summer Furniture (d.157)
7th Ave. Lamps (d.067) • Rugs (d.082) • Broadloom (d.048) • Imported Rugs (d.090) • Floor Care (d.275) • Home Cleaning and Repair Service
Eighth Floor
Broadway Fine Crystal (d.117) • Glassware (d.117) • Bar Shop (d.117) • China (D. 015) • International Gift Bazaar (d.114) • Far Eastern Shop • Candle Shop • Flower Mart • Clocks (d.449) • Decorative Accessories (d.225) • Pictures & Mirrors (d.249) • Wedding Gift Registry • Gift Wrap Centre
7th Ave. The Patio Restaurant • Macy’s Fancy Pantry for Fine Foods (d.033)
Ninth Floor
Broadway Ninth Floor of Furniture Corner Shop • Corner Shop Art Gallery • 9th Floor Pavilions • Upholstered Furniture (d.415) • Occasional Furniture (d.417) • Traditional Furniture (d.421) • Dining Room Furniture (d.413) • Ethan Allen Galleries (d.462)
7th Ave. Bedding (d.414) • Bedroom Furniture (d.411) • Young America Center (d.412) • Summer Colony (d.416) • Forward House (d.418) • Dual Sleep (d.419) • Recliners (d.420) • Piano and Organ Gallery (d.095) • Customer Service
Eleventh Floor
7th Ave. Optical Department • Hearing Aids • Beauty Salon • Credit Office • Cash Office • Fur Workroom
Fifteenth Floor
7th Ave. Macy's Home Food Service (d.261)
(2,319,000 s.f.)
 |
| Parkchester Bronx 1941/1963 200,000 s.f. |
 |
| Jamaica 165th St. and 89th Ave., Queens September 2,1947 158,000 s.f. Soda Bar |
 |
| White Plains Main St. at Mamaroneck Ave. March 21,1949 323.000 s.f. |
 |
| Flatbush Brooklyn November 1, 1948 141,000 s.f. |
 |
| Roosevelt Field Carle Place August 29,1956 461,000 s.f. |
 |
| Huntington Walt Whitman Mall September 18, 1962 230,000 s.f. |
 |
| Bay Shore South Shore Mall August, 1963 318,000 s.f. |
 |
| New Haven Chapel Square 1964 Carousel Restaurant |
 |
| Queens Rego Park October 11, 1965 327,000 s.f. |
 |
Colonie Center
Schenectady
March 24, 1966
180,000 sq. ft.
|
 |
| New Rochelle The Mall at New Rochelle September 14, 1967 220,000 s.f. |
 | |
|
 |
| Kings Plaza Brooklyn September 11, 1970 328,000 s.f. |
 | |
|
 |
| Massapequa Sunrise Mall 1973 208,000 s.f. |
R.H. Macy &
Co. was founded in 1858 on Sixth
Street in New York City, when Rowland H. Macy began a dry goods concern at
thirty-six years of age. Reared on Nantucket Island, Massachusetts, the
rough-and-tumble Macy, who eventually had a
red star tattooed on his hand, lived a checkered life marred by adventuresome schemes
and business failures. After spending the last four years of his teens serving
on a whaling ship in the Pacific Ocean, he returned to Massachusetts to work at
various positions in Boston dry goods stores of the day. Lack of success
prompted him to take off for California, which was in the throes of the gold rush. The
store he opened in Marysville, California, failed within months, causing Macy
to return east and settle in the small town of Haverhill, Massachusetts, where
he again tried his hand at dry goods retailing and again met with failure after
four years of hard work beset with misfortune.
After a stint as a stockbroker in Boston and
a spell in Superior, Wisconsin, Macy made the realization that his repeated
failures as a shopkeeper were due to the
fact that he was applying big-city retail methods in small-town markets. His
next stop was New York City, where his newest
venture was a tremendous success, eventually gobbling up adjacent properties
and growing into a full-line department store by 1870. Yet Macy only produced
one heir, Rowland Jr., who apparently did not inherit any of his father’s good
qualities and died in tragic circumstances in 1878, one year after his father
passed away on a buying trip to Paris.
Two of Macy’s managing partners (one of whom was his nephew) bought out Macy’s estate and
continued the business. A string of unfortunate circumstances, which read like a
Victorian soap opera, saw one partner succumb to disease and a third pass away, leaving a widow who then
married the company’s fourth partner, who
brought his nephew on to manage the store until the
partner was bought out in a battle between partners in 1887. In spite of
the internal drama, the store continued to expand and was modernized behind a
uniform façade. Even an early example of a department store tearoom was opened at the popular and growing
store.
During this period, when the remains of
Macy’s management was exhausted, to say the least, the store’s crockery
department was leased to Lazarus Straus & Sons. When the remaining partner,
Charles B. Webster, was ready to exit the retail business, brothers Isidor and
Nathan Straus bought the whole organization. Under Straus control, R.H. Macy
& Company went from strength to
strength, moving in 1902 to an elegant new building with ornate Palladian
details on Herald Square, where it remains today,
one of few American department stores to have done its
business in only two locations for a history spanning over a hundred years. The
Straus dynasty lasted for five generations at Macy’s, despite
Isidor’s untimely death on the Titanic in April 1912.
Macy’s added a floor to its beautiful premises
on Herald Square in 1910 and expanded westward from its Broadway storefront
toward Seventh Avenue with the addition of a twenty-story tower in 1924. When
art deco additions were added in 1928 and 1931, the building stretched all the
way to Seventh Avenue and could proclaim itself the
“World’s Largest Store,” with over 2.3
million square feet of space spread throughout its buildings.
Yet size alone has never been the only thing
that has made Macy’s a nationally renowned
retail name. Under its slogan “It’s Smart to be Thrifty,” it offered New
Yorkers the widest possible selection of high-quality goods at the best prices,
from designer apparel in its famous Little Shop to antiques in its Corner Shop
on the eighth floor. It sold a huge array of groceries and gourmet items in its
Fancy Grocery and became a part of wider American culture through its
Thanksgiving Day Parade, broadcast from coast to coast; its role in the popular
Christmas film Miracle on Thirty-fourth
Street; and a great variety of other events and promotions. Its annual flower show (note: it still holds them) transformed
the store into a botanical showcase of breathtaking beauty, and at the same
time, the store had the ability to turn
something as simple as an after-hours guard dog bearing a litter into a
celebrated window display that attracted huge crowds, not to mention the
business associated with them.
Macy’s had an in-house bureau of standards,
which assured that its merchandise was worthy, and a staff “taster,” who had
the last word on any foodstuffs sold in the store. Its advertising department
coined the phrase “Does Macy’s Tell Gimbels?” to promote Macy’s comparison-shopping
bureau, which worked to make sure it could honestly say that the store was
never undersold.
The large New York concern
went on a buying spree that took take it from coast to coast by 1949.
In 1925, Macy’s acquired the Davison-Paxon Company
of Atlanta, where it built a new flagship store. Architects for the building
were none other than Starrett and van Vleck, who designed a massive brick
structure with a high main floor, a bowed elevator bank and modern-leaning
Georgian stone detail that bears a stripped-down resemblance to their work in
Toledo for another subsidiary, the Lasalle & Koch Co., acquired in 1923.
L. Bamberger & Company of Newark was bought next, in 1929, and after World War
II, the O’Connor Moffat Company of San Francisco
and the William Taylor Dry Goods Company of
Kansas City became part of the Macy organization. These latter two were the
only stores whose names changed to Macy’s as the big New York concern grew. In
spite of its size, Macy’s let each of its divisions operate locally, and while
they were clearly subsidiaries of the great New York store, each developed its
own character and identity. Macy’s of California was always more chic and
fashionable than its New York parent, and Davison’s retained an air of Southern
charm. Bamberger’s own character was firmly rooted in its New Jersey home.
In most cases, these stores went on to
become regional powerhouses by acquisition of smaller retailers in the area.
Macy’s of Kansas City spread to Wichita, Kansas, and Joplin, Missouri, by
acquiring the George Innes Company and the
Christman Dry Goods Company, respectively.
In other cases, the stores built branches in smaller towns in the vicinity. For
the most part, each of these divisions eventually took on a regional character
while operating from a local headquarters.
In 1939, Macy*s produced a souvenir booklet for visitors to the store and the New York World's Fair. Click below to see the lavish, 66-page booklet in its entirety - and along the way, see what Macy's - The World's Largest Store - was really like.
Lower Level
Broadway The Cellar Housewares (d.160) • Home Care (d.066) • Instant Environments (d.116) • Electrics (d.159) • Electric Razor Center (d.211) • Cookery (d.131) • Dinnnerware and Glassware (d.480) • The Apothecary (d.042) • Stationery Shop (d.047) • Luggage (d.097) • Fabrics (d.141) • Country Craft Shop (d. 081) • Green Glass Gallery • The Marketplace (d.033) • Marketplace Candy (d.016) • P.J. Clarke's
Seventh Avenue Action Down Under (d.181/674) • Mini-Cafe "Down-Under" • Juice Bar
Street Floor
Broadway Fine Jewelry (d.079) • Diamonds (d.145) • Watches (d.478) • Costume Jewelry (d.009) • Cosmetics(d.196) • Fragrance Boutiques (d.076) • Hosiery (d.006) • Handbags (d.112) • Better Handbags (d.049) • Small Leather Goods (d.037) • Gloves (d.017) • Belts (d.054) • Knits (d.018) • Accessories (d.054) • Sunglasses (d.143) • Westsider Blouses (d.080) • Westsider Sweaters (d.054) • Rainwear (d.040) • Notions (d.003) • Stationery (d.047) • Greeting Cards (d.047)p • Vitamin-Health Center (d.042)
The Arcade Born to Dance Shop • The Craft Shop • Penny Candy Shop • I Love New York Shop • Yankee Club House • Tropical Paradise • Crabtree & Evelyn
7th Ave Macy’s Men’s Store Ties (d.003) • Dress Shirts (d.058) • Sport Shirts (d.008) • Men’s Sweaters (d.107) • Men's Underwear (d.105) • Pajamas (d.111) • Robes (d.144) • Men’s Accessories (d.069) • Men’s Belts (d.212) • Dunhill Shop (d.036) • Men's Gifts (d.069) • The Men's Club (d.671)• Men’s Sport Shirts (d.438) • Men’s Hosiery (d.106) • The Sports Section (d.277)
459 7th Avenue at 34th St. Macy’s Wine Cellar
34th St. Balcony
Environmental Scents • Cafe L'Etoile • Metropolitan Museum Shop • Laura Ashley • Post Office
35th St. Balcony
Neuhaus Choclatier & Espresso bar • Santini e Dominici Shoes • Norma Kamali • American Express
Second Floor
Broadway Shapewear (d.126) • Lingerie (d.155) • Daywear (d.007) • Sleepwear (d.057/062) • Robes (d.064) • Loungewear (d.122) • Private Lives (d.660) • Westsider Coordinates (d.162) • Westsider Sweaters (d.188) • Westsider Blouses (d.080) • Westsider Sportswear (d.168) • Westsider Dresses (d.053/234) • Maternity Shop (d.136) • Gift Wrap Centre
7th Ave. Macy’s Men’s Store Men’s Formal Wear (d.110) • Men's Suits (d.010) • Clubroom(d.010) • Men’s Clothing (d.195) • Design Collection (d.129) • Men’s Outerwear (d.113) • Men’s Rainwear (d.102) • Suede and Leather Shop (d.268) • Men’s Shoes (d.046) • Men's Hats (d.039)
Special Events Center
Third Floor
Broadway The Little Shops (d.170) • Fur Salon (d.035) • Bridal Salon • Little Shop of Accessories (d.176) • Charles Jourdan Shoes (d.257) • Young Collector (d.065/168/662/666) • Expressions Shop (d.165) • Misses Moderate Dresses (d.134/157) • Forecast Shop (d.150) • After 5 Shop (d.157) • Town Shop (d.138/139) • Town Shop Suits (d. 021) • The Clubhouse (d.176/177) • Signature Dresses (d.024) • Status Dressing (d.661) • Misses Separates (d.109) • Misses Moderate Blouses (d.063) • Misses Moderate Sportswear (d.094) • The Biggest Splash (d.172/293) • Misses’ Sportswear (d.085)
7th Ave. Young Collector Coats (d.055) • Signature Coats (d.160) • Misses Coats (d.158/284) • Suede and Leather Coats (d.174) • Rainwear (d.169) • Spectacular Spectacles (d.056)
Fourth Floor
Broadway JR's on Four JR's Accessories (d.002) • Junior Sportswear (d.121) • Junior Separates (d.217) • Junior Leather Coats (d.219) • Junior Dresses (d. 115) • Junior Coats (d.119) • Suedes & Leathers (d.174) • Perspective (d.245) • Folklorico (d. 147) • Young Juniors (d.214) • JR's Shoes(d.288)
Seventh Ave. Books at Macy's-The 34th St. Branch (d.013) • Records (d.083) • Adult Games (d.147) • Women’s World Women's Coats (d.o45) • Women’s Sportswear (d.118) • Women’s Dresses (d.078)
Fifth Floor
Broadway Growing Up on Five Infants (d.065) • Infants' Furniture (d.192) • Toddlers (d.061) • Girls’ Sleepwear (d.043) • Girls 3-6x (d.051) • Girls7-14 (d. 037) • Boys 4-7 (d.072) • Boys 8-20 (d.074/058) • Boys' Polo Shop (d.179) • Active Boys/Active Girls • Children’s Shoes (d.088) • Portrait Studio (d.224) • Best Friends Pet Centre (d.287) • The Fountain • Kenneth for Kids Hair Salon (d.210)
7th Ave. Macy's Department of Recreation (d.247/038) • Luggage (d.097) • Cameras (d.096) • Music and TV World (d.223) • Radios (d.123) • Stereos (d.110) • Televisions (d.227) • Parade of Toys (d.012) • Snoopy Shop • Fine Doll Collection
Sixth Floor
Broadway Linen Pavilion Linens (d.001) • Sheets (d.092) • Pillows (d.059) • Blankets (d.059) • Bedspreads (d.059) • Comforters (d.059) • Bath Shop (d.120) • Towels (d.091) • Private Lives (d.607)
7th Ave. Miss Manhattan Shoes (d.264) • The Little Shop of Shoes (d.093) • Shoes (d.020)
Seventh Floor
Broadway Home Furnishing Accessories (d.129) • Pillows (d.191) • Readymade Draperies (d.126) • Curtains (d.126) • Bedspreads (d.127) • Custom-Made Slipcovers, Draperies and Upholstery (d.128) • Summer Furniture (d.157) • Lamps (d.067) • Pictures & Mirrors (d.449)
7th Ave. Rugs (d.082) • Broadloom (d.048) • Imported Rugs (d.090) • Floor Care (d.275) • Appliances (d.180) • Home Cleaning and Repair Service
Eighth Floor
Broadway Silver (d.005) • Crystal (d.117) • Glass (d.017) • China (D. 015) • Gifts (d.114) • Diane Lane Silk Flowers • Decorative Accessories (d.225) • Bridal Registry • Gift Wrap Centre
7th Ave. The Patio Restaurant • Cooking Center • Passover Shop • Santaland • Macy Puppet Theater
Ninth Floor
Broadway Corner Shop (d.471) • Traditional Upholstered Furniture (d.415) • Occasional Furniture (d.417) • Traditional Furniture (d.421) • Dining Room Furniture (d.413)
7th Ave. Mattresses (d.414) • Bedroom Furniture (d.411/422) • Chairs (d.420) • Furniture Works(d.416) • Modern Occasional Furniture (d.461) • Contemporary Upholstered Furniture (d.418) • Sleep Sofas (d.419) • Recliners (d.465) • Pianos and Organs (d.095) • Customer Service
0 Comments