Macy's envy - where do they fit.

[Wrightfan]

It's a long shot but it would be awesome if they could get Macy's into that space.

These days, Macy’s is only a rung or two higher than Kohl’s, given the mediocre lines of merchandise it now carries in locations outside the remaining big city downtown flagships. It thrives (in relative terms) more on its legacy name.

[Greg S]

It's a long shot but it would be awesome if they could get Macy's into that space.

These days, Macy’s is only a rung or two higher than Kohl’s, given the mediocre lines of merchandise it now carries in locations outside the remaining big city downtown flagships. It thrives (in relative terms) more on its legacy name.

I still shop there for some of my work clothes and shoes. They have fantastic deals on Cole Haans and Timberland. Will definitely be shopping there more now. Agree, they are basically a step up from Kohls, similar to Younkers.

Greg

[Bob from Omaha]

It's a long shot but it would be awesome if they could get Macy's into that space.

These days, Macy’s is only a rung or two higher than Kohl’s, given the mediocre lines of merchandise it now carries in locations outside the remaining big city downtown flagships. It thrives (in relative terms) more on its legacy name.

We have Macys here and shop there a lot. Great sales, customer service, big stores. Big selection. More than Kohls.

[bigredmed1]

It's a long shot but it would be awesome if they could get Macy's into that space.

These days, Macy’s is only a rung or two higher than Kohl’s, given the mediocre lines of merchandise it now carries in locations outside the remaining big city downtown flagships. It thrives (in relative terms) more on its legacy name.

I shopped at the flagship store in downtown Phillie. The one with the pipe organ. I saw it as a glorified Penney's.

[Greg S]

It's a long shot but it would be awesome if they could get Macy's into that space.

These days, Macy’s is only a rung or two higher than Kohl’s, given the mediocre lines of merchandise it now carries in locations outside the remaining big city downtown flagships. It thrives (in relative terms) more on its legacy name.

I shopped at the flagship store in downtown Phillie. The one with the pipe organ. I saw it as a glorified Penney's.

I put Macy's more in the Younkers category. I think JCPenney's is more similar to Kohls. The level above Macy's is Von Maur and Nordstroms and the like.

Greg

[RockHarbor]

It's a long shot but it would be awesome if they could get Macy's into that space.

These days, Macy’s is only a rung or two higher than Kohl’s, given the mediocre lines of merchandise it now carries in locations outside the remaining big city downtown flagships. It thrives (in relative terms) more on its legacy name.

I shopped at the flagship store in downtown Phillie. The one with the pipe organ. I saw it as a glorified Penney's.

I put Macy's more in the Younkers category. I think JCPenney's is more similar to Kohls. The level above Macy's is Von Maur and Nordstroms and the like.

Greg

Really? I always thought Macy's was up there with Saks. Guess I was wrong. I dont think I've ever shopped at Macy's before.

[Omaha Cowboy]

It's a long shot but it would be awesome if they could get Macy's into that space.

These days, Macy’s is only a rung or two higher than Kohl’s, given the mediocre lines of merchandise it now carries in locations outside the remaining big city downtown flagships. It thrives (in relative terms) more on its legacy name.

I shopped at the flagship store in downtown Phillie. The one with the pipe organ. I saw it as a glorified Penney's.

I put Macy's more in the Younkers category. I think JCPenney's is more similar to Kohls. The level above Macy's is Von Maur and Nordstroms and the like.

Greg

Really? I always thought Macy's was up there with Saks. Guess I was wrong. I dont think I've ever shopped at Macy's before.

Yeah. Stores like Nordstrom’s or Von Maur are a couple rungs higher on the “upscale” meter.. Macy’s is more similar to a Younkers or maybe Dillard’s...

Ciao..LiO...Peace

[RockHarbor]

It's a long shot but it would be awesome if they could get Macy's into that space.

These days, Macy’s is only a rung or two higher than Kohl’s, given the mediocre lines of merchandise it now carries in locations outside the remaining big city downtown flagships. It thrives (in relative terms) more on its legacy name.

I shopped at the flagship store in downtown Phillie. The one with the pipe organ. I saw it as a glorified Penney's.

I put Macy's more in the Younkers category. I think JCPenney's is more similar to Kohls. The level above Macy's is Von Maur and Nordstroms and the like.

Greg

Really? I always thought Macy's was up there with Saks. Guess I was wrong. I dont think I've ever shopped at Macy's before.

Yeah. Stores like Nordstrom’s or Von Maur are a couple rungs higher on the “upscale” meter.. Macy’s is more similar to a Younkers or maybe Dillard’s...

Ciao..LiO...Peace

Really? I've always heard "Macy's New York." It always sounded so expensive and pricey. I've never realized until this convo that Van Maur was so high & upscale. I think because Omaha & even Lincoln both have a VM store, I don't think of it way up with the priciest stores; I've always put it a notch below Saks Fifth Avenue & Nordstroms, but a notch above Yonkers & Dillards. To me, it always went: Walmart, Kmart & Shopko, Target, Gordmans, Kohls, Sears & Montgomery Wards, Penny's (and The Jones Store), Yonkers & Dillards, Van Maur (and Chicago's Carson Pirie Scott) , then Saks, Macy's, Nordstroms. Guess I was wrong. So, Macy's is a notch or two lower, eh? (I've been waiting for service here for 3 hours this morning. Thank goodness for this forum.) P.S. I almost want to say "Gordmons & Kohls" together as the same notch, but Kohls might be a sliver higher.

[GrandpaaSmucker]

Really? I've always heard "Macy's New York." It always sounded so expensive and pricey. I've never realized until this convo that Van Maur was so high & upscale. I think because Omaha & even Lincoln both have a VM store, I don't think of it way up with the priciest stores; I've always put it a notch below Saks Fifth Avenue & Nordstroms, but a notch above Yonkers & Dillards. To me, it always went: Walmart, Kmart & Shopko, Target, Gordmans, Kohls, Sears & Montgomery Wards, Penny's (and The Jones Store), Yonkers & Dillards, Van Maur (and Chicago's Carson Pirie Scott) , then Saks, Macy's, Nordstroms. Guess I was wrong. So, Macy's is a notch or two lower, eh? (I've been waiting for service here for 3 hours this morning. Thank goodness for this forum.) P.S. I almost want to say "Gordmons & Kohls" together as the same notch, but Kohls might be a sliver higher.
[/quote]


The Macys in New York is 10 times bigger & better then the ones you see in other cities. I been to the Macys in New York City a couple of times and its as high priced as you wanna get. The place is even complete with what look like millionaire old ladies walking through the store with their poodles and fifi dogs.

[RockHarbor]

Thanks for clearing that up, GSmucker. So, the "flagship stores/s" in NYC are more luxurious than the ones throughout the rest of the country. Makes sense. It seems like when anybody (or any movie) touches on a ladies' beloved shopping day in NYC, they always involve Macy's in it, so I just knew it had to be "better" than Yonkers & Dillards. Also, with the fact that cities like Omaha & Des Moines & Wichita & Lincoln always felt "not good enough" to get a Macy's to me, but I noticed they are for Von Maur, that of course played a role in my viewpoint of the store. I've later learned there are Macy's located in cities inarguably less sophisticated and smaller than Omaha (but yet are the main city in the region), so I no longer feel Omaha is not "good enough" for that chain, it's more the fact that it isn't the top & first city in the Midwest where Macy's will go thru the trouble & headache of putting in a new store. Chicago, Minneapolis, St Louis, Kansas City are obviously first choices.

[Bob from Omaha]

We've been Von Maur customers since they came to Omaha & they have one here in the Detroit area. With us it's a combination of price, selection, and service.

My wife likes Von Maur because they have amazing service. In Omaha and here in Michigan the sales people call her when items she buys are about to go on sale (bras, panty hose, etc.) THAT is service.

As for Macys, there is a store in a very upscale mall here, Somerset Collection, that is relatively close. Macy's sales are very good. Sometimes she goes just to look and sometimes she buys online and picks up at the store. That mall has Macys, Saks, Nordstrom & Neiman Marcus as well as all the regulars of an upscale mall. If you catch a Macys sale the prices are really good.

Folks, it isn't that Omaha, Des Moines, etc. don't "deserve" a Macys. They are in Detroit because they bought out another chain years ago. Same with KC.

One other thing. Here Macys sells furniture. Dillards does in other cities. NFM has such a stranglehold on the furniture market that when Dillards came they decided not to sell furniture in Omaha. My personal opinion is that Omaha is missing out on more furniture choices in favor of whatever the Mart decides to sell.

As for Macys here in the Detroit area they are nice stores, clean, attentive staff, good sales, good selection, good return policy. Do we only shop there? Of course not. If we still lived in Omaha we'd be Von Maur and maybe Kohls customers.

[RockHarbor]

Its not about "not deserving", its simply about "not getting", imo. My jaw would drop the day I see a Macy's, Saks, Norstroms, Bloomingdales, or Lord & Taylor in Omaha. (Macy's the most believable after things I've learned here.) And, if there's clapping & cheering the day we do, that in itself, shows the level of city we are. Cities like Minneapolis & Chicago don't clap & cheer the minute some pricey, upscale department store puts them on their list, they just figure they already ARE on the list -- or they will be, if the chain enters the Midwest. A lot puts hardworkin' Omaha on the map, the city seems to "walk taller" than some cities larger than it, it has a lot of civic pride, and there's something extra special about it that is worth cherishing & paying attention to & not letting go of (imo), but at the end of the day, it still is a city on the Plains a notch below cities that are no big deal on the nation's conscience/radar...cities like Columbus, Indianapolis, Kansas City, and even Oklahoma City. I always have to remind myself of that. It is growing & changing, though, and many have a sense it is coming of age. Compared to growing up, it has started to have a slight sort of "Californication" feel like Dallas & Denver do -- jams, many outsiders moving in, runaway suburban growth, absolute demand for style & design in living. So, hopefully, we will see a Macy's or Saks in town someday -- not that I feel Omaha's self-esteem is remotely dependant on it. But, it does show something... ***I knew a girl that moved to Nebraska from Columbus, OH, and eventually she visited Kansas City one weekend. And, while she liked Omaha & Lincoln, she thought KC's amount of buildings, size & scope, and culture, reminded her of back home in Columbus. I almost wanted to shed a little tear... To think, Columbus is no big deal on the world stage of cities, yet my "impressive, something-to-watch hometown" isn't even there yet. Things like that, and no Macy's in town, are harsh reminders.***

[Stargazer]

Sioux Falls has a Macy's... be happy we have Von Maur. It's a fine store and with retailers trying to jockey to figure out the online market, I don't expect to see another department store like Macy's enter the Omaha market... EVER. Many more closings ahead, nationwide.

The brick/mortar retail store will continue to diminish in the future. I expect to see something more like 'catalog' stores, before anything else, with little inventory other than merchandise to examine before ordering (Service Merchandise missed it's future calling). Small/local boutiques may carve out a niche for those of the means to pay the prices necessary to sustain them, looking for what will be increasingly rare opportunities to try before one buys.

[bigredmed1]

Sioux Falls has a Macy's... be happy we have Von Maur. It's a fine store and with retailers trying to jockey to figure out the online market, I don't expect to see another department store like Macy's enter the Omaha market... EVER. Many more closings ahead, nationwide.

The brick/mortar retail store will continue to diminish in the future. I expect to see something more like 'catalog' stores, before anything else, with little inventory other than merchandise to examine before ordering (Service Merchandise missed it's future calling). Small/local boutiques may carve out a niche for those of the means to pay the prices necessary to sustain them, looking for what will be increasingly rare opportunities to try before one buys.

Sioux Falls has a Macy's so Macy's can take advantage of South Dakota's rather permissive credit card laws. They weren't interested in Omaha when Dillards and Younkers were eating their market sector. Now that both are gone, Macy's is not in the market, so we won't get one. Von Maur serves us well.

As for boutique stores, we will continue to have small stores that can dominate a sector due to service and quality. I don't see Haney's Shoes losing business as if you need good shoes, that is where you go. Other similar businesses will continue. The retail sector that is going to crash and burn is the "price point over quality" store. You could see the change in Cabelas about a two years before they got bought by Bass Pro. In the long ago time, Cabelas is where you went to buy durable outdoor stuff and Bass Pro is where you bought the "Harbor Freight equivalent" outdoor stuff. A few years ago Cabelas started to expand and also to drop the quality of their gear. Same price, just crappier. You could see a lot of long term people going online because they didn't need to drive to Sidney to buy some crappy wear it for a season cammo. Stores like Penney's, Sears, Younkers, Dillards, Macy's, etc all did this. They became redundant. Now, they are gone.

[Omaha Cowboy]

Sioux Falls has a Macy's so Macy's can take advantage of South Dakota's rather permissive credit card laws. They weren't interested in Omaha when Dillards and Younkers were eating their market sector. Now that both are gone, Macy's is not in the market, so we won't get one. Von Maur serves us well.

Let’s make a correction here-

Dillard’s still serves the Omaha market (just not at Westroads). One store in Omaha (Oakview) and another in Council Bluffs.. They are not gone; and I have not heard of any plans indicating they’re leaving.. they may close in the future. Who knows. But that’s not exclusively an Omaha thing, it would be a national trend. But point being, presently, (and again) Dillard’s still serves the Omaha market...

Ciao..LiO...Peace

[EastCB]

Ummmm, I wouldn’t call Dillard’s in CB a store. It’s a clearance center with very little in it. Most of the building is empty.

[RockHarbor]

Sioux Falls has a Macy's? When I mentioned a Macy's being in a smaller, less sophisticated city than Omaha, I was thinking of another town. Sioux Falls is practically "Cheyenne East." Even more so: Omaha & Des Moines shouldn't waste a day feeling like they are "not good enough" for that store. That's also interesting about SD's credit card laws. I didn't know any of that... (The talk about "crappier stuff": That's why I don't shop for clothes any higher up than a Yonkers or Dillards. I know the price is higher at Saks, Nordstroms, Lord & Taylor, but I just don't believe the quality is really any better, so why bother?)

[iamjacobm]

Sioux Falls has a Macy's? When I mentioned a Macy's being in a smaller, less sophisticated city than Omaha, I was thinking of another town. Sioux Falls is practically "Cheyenne East." Even more so: Omaha & Des Moines shouldn't waste a day feeling like they are "not good enough" for that store. That's also interesting about SD's credit card laws. I didn't know any of that... (The talk about "crappier stuff": That's why I don't shop for clothes any higher up than a Yonkers or Dillards. I know the price is higher at Saks, Nordstroms, Lord & Taylor, but I just believe the quality is really any better, so why bother?)

Casper, Wyoming has one too. I would welcome a Macy's to fill any space, but its not bringing anything to the table we don't already have.

[Omaha Cowboy]

Sioux Falls has a Macy's? When I mentioned a Macy's being in a smaller, less sophisticated city than Omaha, I was thinking of another town. Sioux Falls is practically "Cheyenne East." Even more so: Omaha & Des Moines shouldn't waste a day feeling like they are "not good enough" for that store. That's also interesting about SD's credit card laws. I didn't know any of that... (The talk about "crappier stuff": That's why I don't shop for clothes any higher up than a Yonkers or Dillards. I know the price is higher at Saks, Nordstroms, Lord & Taylor, but I just believe the quality is really any better, so why bother?)

Casper, Wyoming has one too. I would welcome a Macy's to fill any space, but its not bringing anything to the table we don't already have.

Agreed. Omaha already has that level of store quality with Dillard’s and the soon to be departed Younkers.. And a higher scale level with Von Maur..

Some people over the years have had, quite nearly, an obsession with Omaha landing a Macy’s. I’ve never quite understood that one. I’ve always said I’d be excited if Omaha landed a Nordstrom’s or Neiman Marcus (fat chance for either, especially Neiman Marcus, lol)...

Ciao..LiO...Peace

[RockHarbor]

Casper, WY even has a Macy's?!?! What...are there large tumbleweeds bouncing across the parking lot in the Wyoming winds, with the "MACY'S" signage beyond? My gosh, I can't believe I spent years thinking Omaha & Des Moines & Wichita weren't "good enough" for that New York store. (Yes, VM is a nice store. Is their quality noticeably better than clothes at Dillards, though? I'm sure on some things...)

[Greg S]

Sioux Falls has a Macy's? When I mentioned a Macy's being in a smaller, less sophisticated city than Omaha, I was thinking of another town. Sioux Falls is practically "Cheyenne East." Even more so: Omaha & Des Moines shouldn't waste a day feeling like they are "not good enough" for that store. That's also interesting about SD's credit card laws. I didn't know any of that... (The talk about "crappier stuff": That's why I don't shop for clothes any higher up than a Yonkers or Dillards. I know the price is higher at Saks, Nordstroms, Lord & Taylor, but I just believe the quality is really any better, so why bother?)

Casper, Wyoming has one too. I would welcome a Macy's to fill any space, but its not bringing anything to the table we don't already have.

Agreed. Omaha already has that level of store quality with Dillard’s and the soon to be departed Younkers.. And a higher scale level with Von Maur..

Some people over the years have had, quite nearly, an obsession with Omaha landing a Macy’s. I’ve never quite understood that one. I’ve always said I’d be excited if Omaha landed a Nordstrom’s or Neiman Marcus (fat chance for either, especially Neiman Marcus, lol)...

Ciao..LiO...Peace

I never had the Macy's obsession because we had Younkers. Now that we are losing Younkers I'd love to see Macy's arrive. To me Dillards is so different than a Younkers or Macy's. Similar brands yes. Dillards will usually have more and a wider variety but you are going to pay full price for the season. If you want it less you can get it on clearance. Younkers and Macy's run sales all the time and you tend to get things quite a bit cheaper.

Sioux Falls has Macy's because at one time that store was a Dayton's which was based out of next door Minnesota (and eventually owned by Target also from Minnesota). Eventually Target sold off that division to Macy's parent and it became a Macy's. Some of these locations are like that where Macy's ended up in different locations because of chains that were purchased by parent Federated, that eventually changed it's name to Macy's. That's also why Macy's HQ is in Cinncinnati not NY.

Greg

[RockHarbor]

Makes perfect sense. I kept wondering why Macy's would even enter into those type markets. It has changed my viewpoint of that store chain. Seriously, if I'm ever in New York, and somebody traveling with me squeels in excitement "Look!! Macy's!!!", I'll think "Big friggin' deal. They have a store in Casper, WY & Souix Falls, SD." (I can't imagine why there would be a big need for things like...women business suits...in Casper. I almost imagine them, instead, selling western outfits straight out of "Cowboys & Indians" mag.) I forgot about Daytons! Yes, I do associate that w/ Minneapolis. Neiman Marcus was also mentioned. Another major swanky store that never came to mind...

[debradomayer]

Makes perfect sense. I kept wondering why Macy's would even enter into those type markets. It has changed my viewpoint of that store chain. Seriously, if I'm ever in New York, and somebody traveling with me squeels in excitement "Look!! Macy's!!!", I'll think "Big friggin' deal. They have a store in Casper, WY & Souix Falls, SD." (I can't imagine why there would be a big need for things like...women business suits...in Casper. I almost imagine them, instead, selling western outfits straight out of "Cowboys & Indians" mag.) I forgot about Daytons! Yes, I do associate that w/ Minneapolis. Neiman Marcus was also mentioned. Another major swanky store that never came to mind...

Unfortunately, Daytons ceased to exist in 2001 when they were sold to Marshall Fields, who in turn was acquired by...wait for it...Macy's!!!

[GrandpaaSmucker]

They have a store in Casper, WY & Souix Falls, SD." (I can't imagine why there would be a big need for things like...women business suits...in Casper. I almost imagine them, instead, selling western outfits straight out of "Cowboys & Indians" mag.)

That Macy's is at the Eastridge Mall in Casper Wyoming. Its a good sized mall with all the usual stores and a Target too. I been to that mall a dozen times or so but not because of Macy's. What made the Eastridge Mall so nice was it used to have an Old Country Buffet in it.

[Uffda]

Sioux Falls has a Macy's? When I mentioned a Macy's being in a smaller, less sophisticated city than Omaha, I was thinking of another town. Sioux Falls is practically "Cheyenne East."

When is the last time you were in Cheyenne or Sioux Falls. - Sioux Falls has almost twice the population of Cheyenne.

[RockHarbor]

Sioux Falls has a Macy's? When I mentioned a Macy's being in a smaller, less sophisticated city than Omaha, I was thinking of another town. Sioux Falls is practically "Cheyenne East."

When is the last time you were in Cheyenne or Sioux Falls. - Sioux Falls has almost twice the population of Cheyenne.

Cheyenne: Last summer. Sioux Falls: I've been there twice in the last 5 years. I realize Sioux Falls, along with Fargo, is "growing like a weed." I like Sioux Falls and all... Yet, it kind of gives me the feel of a "Cheyenne" mixed with a typical Midwest city. There's a slight rugged, frontier "cowboy" (or "rancher" feel) there, mixed with the typical Midwest "farming" aspect, imo, and it is definitely less sophisticated than Omaha. It is kind of that "South Dakota/Kevin Costner/Dances With Wolves" thing going on -- something Omaha doesn't quite have. You also feel the very start of "The Great Far North" there, imo -- which is a vast & untame wilderness/frontier. You feel that rugged feel even more so in places like Laramie, WY. (It's kinda a bit "rough around the edge" feel, like a place it not unusual to see an old pickup truck, filled with rowdy cowboys, driving thru with deer antlers on it, or some feathers hanging in the windshield.) So, it is not the first place I would expect to see a Macy's New York store -- but more so, definitely not Casper. (That mall in Casper sounds nice. Still, I can't imagine a Saks or Neiman Marcus in Casper, so the Macy's still feels strange to me. Marshall Fields: Yet, another swanky department store. I forgot about. No wonder there are closings. Too many of them...) An observation I've made: No city, surrounded by western sagebrush, ever becomes THAT sophisticated. Forests: Often yes. Coastlines, swamps: Possibly. Farm fields, ranchland, prairie: Maybe. Desert: Maybe, but not usually. Sagebrush: No. That's what I'm ultimately getting at here...

[Padre]

Sioux Falls has a Macy's? When I mentioned a Macy's being in a smaller, less sophisticated city than Omaha, I was thinking of another town. Sioux Falls is practically "Cheyenne East."

When is the last time you were in Cheyenne or Sioux Falls. - Sioux Falls has almost twice the population of Cheyenne.

Cheyenne: Last summer. Sioux Falls: I've been there twice in the last 5 years. I realize Sioux Falls, along with Fargo, is "growing like a weed." I like Sioux Falls and all... Yet, it kind of gives me the feel of a "Cheyenne" mixed with a typical Midwest city. There's a slight rugged, frontier "cowboy" (or "rancher" feel) there, mixed with the typical Midwest "farming" aspect, imo, and it is definitely less sophisticated than Omaha. It is kind of that "South Dakota/Kevin Costner/Dances With Wolves" thing going on -- something Omaha doesn't quite have. You also feel the very start of "The Great Far North" there, imo -- which is a vast & untame wilderness/frontier. You feel that rugged feel even more so in places like Laramie, WY. (It's kinda a bit "rough around the edge" feel, like a place it not unusual to see an old pickup truck, filled with rowdy cowboys, driving thru with deer antlers on it, or some feathers hanging in the windshield.) So, it is not the first place I would expect to see a Macy's New York store -- but more so, definitely not Casper. (That mall in Casper sounds nice. Still, I can't imagine a Saks or Neiman Marcus in Casper, so the Macy's still feels strange to me. Marshall Fields: Yet, another swanky department store. I forgot about. No wonder there are closings. Too many of them...) An observation I've made: No city, surrounded by western sagebrush, ever becomes THAT sophisticated. Forests: Often yes. Coastlines, swamps: Possibly. Farm fields, ranchland, prairie: Maybe. Desert: Maybe, but not usually. Sagebrush: No. That's what I'm ultimately getting at here...

Macy’s may have started in New York but the headquarters now are in Cincinnati.

[RockHarbor]

I'm wondering if they moved from New York, NY to Cincinatti, OH at least partly because the downward steps the store took in prestige & class & perception as the years unfolded with a reshuffling of business & ownership. Cincinatti is not only cheaper, but the HQ makes more sense to me in that city -- a city with some definite sophistication, but steps down from the Big Apple -- with a retail department store chain also found in Casper & Sioux Falls. I'm sorry: A swanky, upscale, prestigious, legendary department store affiliated with New York's elite & upper class is not gonna be looked at the same opening a store in SD and WY. It just isn't.

[Uffda]

Sioux Falls has a Macy's? When I mentioned a Macy's being in a smaller, less sophisticated city than Omaha, I was thinking of another town. Sioux Falls is practically "Cheyenne East."

When is the last time you were in Cheyenne or Sioux Falls. - Sioux Falls has almost twice the population of Cheyenne.

Cheyenne: Last summer. Sioux Falls: I've been there twice in the last 5 years. I realize Sioux Falls, along with Fargo, is "growing like a weed." I like Sioux Falls and all... Yet, it kind of gives me the feel of a "Cheyenne" mixed with a typical Midwest city. There's a slight rugged, frontier "cowboy" (or "rancher" feel) there, mixed with the typical Midwest "farming" aspect, imo, and it is definitely less sophisticated than Omaha. It is kind of that "South Dakota/Kevin Costner/Dances With Wolves" thing going on -- something Omaha doesn't quite have. You also feel the very start of "The Great Far North" there, imo -- which is a vast & untame wilderness/frontier. You feel that rugged feel even more so in places like Laramie, WY. (It's kinda a bit "rough around the edge" feel, like a place it not unusual to see an old pickup truck, filled with rowdy cowboys, driving thru with deer antlers on it, or some feathers hanging in the windshield.) So, it is not the first place I would expect to see a Macy's New York store -- but more so, definitely not Casper. (That mall in Casper sounds nice. Still, I can't imagine a Saks or Neiman Marcus in Casper, so the Macy's still feels strange to me. Marshall Fields: Yet, another swanky department store. I forgot about. No wonder there are closings. Too many of them...) An observation I've made: No city, surrounded by western sagebrush, ever becomes THAT sophisticated. Forests: Often yes. Coastlines, swamps: Possibly. Farm fields, ranchland, prairie: Maybe. Desert: Maybe, but not usually. Sagebrush: No. That's what I'm ultimately getting at here...

I am trying to figure out where you were as it definitely wasn’t Sioux Falls - maybe Rapid City. oh one correction from my previous post Sioux Falls pop. is almost 3 times Cheyenne’s.

[RockHarbor]

Would Rapid City be a mix of a "Cheyenne" & a Midwest farming city? No -- it straddles the rugged Black Hills & the Dakota prairie. Why would I have logically been in Rapid City then? Sioux Falls is just -- what -- a four or five hour drive east of Rapid City? Does Western NE, Western KS, or Western OK have a rugged, very western "Rapid City" just 4-5 hours from Omaha, Kansas City, or Oklahoma City? NO. So, South Dakota -- from western-feeling Rapid City to Sioux Falls -- has a certain "Dakotas" feel that perminates the entire state from Rapid City to Sioux Falls. I can feel it. It must be that Black Hills & Devils Tower region bringing the feel of the western frontier further eastward than states to the south of it. You must not be able to feel it. Also, the more casual, simpler & plain suburban housing styles going up, the stiff, upright evergreens & firs often planted in yards, the roaring falls downtown, ect, all are part of the beckoning Far North feel in town. I can feel it. Can you? (I have worked in a lodge up on the Minnesota-Canada border before. It felt like I was at the "end of the world" up there, especially taking a highway into the deep woods, far from the Lake Superior shore. It was so rustic & wild up there, and a lot of dangerous wildlife. Your perspective of Omaha & Des Moines changes up there, realizing how the wild wilderness of the Far North makes it way down and eventually unravels into farms & farmland...and Midwest cities w/ skyscrapers & malls & suburban sprawl. So, I know that "Far North" feeling, and I feel the first hints of it in Sioux Falls.) Sioux Falls & Cheyenne also have a beautiful old structure w/ an old tower standing tall downtown and similar size skylines (I don't care that it is twice the size of Cheyenne, Sioux Falls doesn't visually look that much bigger with the short, small skyline), nestled on similar rolling land. Cheyenne is more "western" to me, but Sioux Falls has aspects of that mixed w/ the farming Midwest. I said it was "practically Cheyenne East." And, I still stand by that perception.

[Uffda]

Enough with perceptions. You can keep yours

Just a couple flaring facts

South Dakota is physically/geographically/culturally split into two regions which most of South Dakotans can share with you. Those two regions are known as East River and West River. And it’s divided by the Missouri River. East River is definitely much more farms and many small towns. West river has always been known for its western lifestyle. The Sioux Falls area was a vast grassland with very few trees when the first pioneers came There is a different culture. Traveling from east to west (or vice versa) you would notice the change as you cross the Missouri.

Cheyenne and Casper are windblown high prairie cities with a definitely western environment. There are surrounded by ranchers and vast ranches. They live and ‘die’ by the oil/gas/coal boom and bust

But ya know what do I know -
Born a South Dakotan
Lived around Sioux Falls for 24 yrs
Lived in Casper WY for 21 years
Lived in Omaha for almost 16 yrs.

Have a good day

[Greg S]

I'm wondering if they moved from New York, NY to Cincinatti, OH at least partly because the downward steps the store took in prestige & class & perception as the years unfolded with a reshuffling of business & ownership. Cincinatti is not only cheaper, but the HQ makes more sense to me in that city -- a city with some definite sophistication, but steps down from the Big Apple -- with a retail department store chain also found in Casper & Sioux Falls. I'm sorry: A swanky, upscale, prestigious, legendary department store affiliated with New York's elite & upper class is not gonna be looked at the same opening a store in SD and WY. It just isn't.

They did not move their HQ from NY to Cinncinnati. They were bought by Federated and Federated's HQ was already in Cinncinnati.

I'm not sure where the swanky comes in. Macy's not a Neiman Marcus or even Nordstrom. Macy's has always catered their stores to not just upper lines but middle as well. Back in the 50's and 60's when my family was still in KC that's where my mom shopped and we definitely were middle class (I wasn't born yet). Macy's eventually folded in KC but returned later when Federated renamend the former Jones Stores to Macy's.

Greg

[RockHarbor]

Uffda: If Sioux Falls were a 100% classic "Midwest City" in every little way, you wouldn't have the housing styles you do there. It's influenced by the North a bit, and the "Dakotas thing." (I can go to any American city, and look at their new housing styles being built, and 100% agree with what the local designers are doing there. It's most always perfect. I would be doing the same thing.... That's because designers/artists/architects feel things, perceive things, pick up on things, and are visual people. Maybe those just aren't your gifts? On this forum, I'm amazed at how well some people watch and analyze city politics. That is just not my thing. It all mostly goes over my head. But, that's OK...because I'm smart enough to know I don't know everything, and I don't encompass everybody's gifts. A lot of guys aren't smart enough to realize that, though, while they act like an annoying "know it all." They also don't realize while they sit on their "know it all" throne: Nobody buys it... ) Macy's originally was in the "swanky" league of department stores -- no doubt. It has now "come down to earth" a bit, but originally, it was a big deal in New York. History & culture reflects that fact. If Westroads got a Macys, I would be happy. But, it is not as big of a deal to me now, learning Casper & Sioux Falls have one.

[Greg S]

Uffda: If Sioux Falls were a 100% classic "Midwest City" in every little way, you wouldn't have the housing styles you do there. It's influenced by the North a bit, and the "Dakotas thing." (I can go to any American city, and look at their new housing styles being built, and 100% agree with what the local designers are doing there. It's most always perfect. I would be doing the same thing.... That's because designers/artists/architects feel things, perceive things, pick up on things, and are visual people. Maybe those just aren't your gifts? On this forum, I'm amazed at how well some people watch and analyze city politics. That is just not my thing. It all mostly goes over my head. But, that's OK...because I'm smart enough to know I don't know everything, and I don't encompass everybody's gifts. A lot of guys aren't smart enough to realize that, though, while they act like an annoying "know it all." They also don't realize while they sit on their "know it all" throne: Nobody buys it... ) Macy's originally was in the "swanky" league of department stores -- no doubt. It has now "come down to earth" a bit, but originally, it was a big deal in New York. History & culture reflects that fact. If Westroads got a Macys, I would be happy. But, it is not as big of a deal to me now, learning Casper & Sioux Falls have one.

There were Macy's in Joplin, MO and Topeka, KS in the 1950's.....

[GrandpaaSmucker]

Down in Florida they have a Macy's in every other town. I bet they got over 30 or 40 of them in Florida. They aint stupid, follow the money and the masses.

[RockHarbor]

Topeka & Joplin in the 1950's? That's shocking. My "other parents" lived in Topeka growing up, and when they first got transferred to Topeka around 1987 from South FL, my stepmother literally bawled when she saw their crummy, tacky White Lakes Mall. West Ridge Mall was soon built afterwards, feeling "heaven sent" to her. She would be shocked to see a Macy's in Topeka, too -- after being around them in FL (like GSmucker pointed out). Did the company start off as more "down to earth", then go to being more prestigious, then have now returned to their roots -- or somethhing?

[Uffda]

A lot of guys aren't smart enough to realize that, though, while they act like an annoying "know it all." They also don't realize while they sit on their "know it all" throne: Nobody buys it... )

Thanks for the good laugh.... I needed that tonight! You might need a mirror or a kettle.

[RockHarbor]

Thanks for a good laugh, too. I wonder what the housing would look like in Sioux Falls, or Omaha, or Denver, or Kansas City, or Alburquerque or Phoenix....if it were all left up to you? Since you apparently "know everything about everything", and you're sooo smart, and I'm so laughable.... Let's see what you come up with. Now, that would be laughable, I'm sure -- meaning that very matter-of-fact, not mean. Good thing it is not up to you -- no, it is up to people that have gifts & talents you don't have, and they do a fine job at capturing the area w/ "regional design." (Sorry... You can't argue that point. My goal is not to win arguments, it is to sort things out logically & truthfully. Therefore, I become difficult to argue with -- and all people can often do is finally laugh and run away. Not my problem.) I'm sorry, to even think, as you've suggested, Sioux Falls isn't at all influenced by the Black Hills region or Far North Woods region anymore than Omaha, or KC, or Topeka, or St Louis is, is NOT logical at all. Heck, the Kevin Costner movie even motivated many people to move to South Dakota. There was a time I thought about moving to peaceful, growing Sioux Falls. I like the Black Hills hours west, and I like the hint of the North there. I like that sound of rushing rapids/falls downtown. But, I concluded: It was too small & quiet, too frigid in winter, and a tad too "Cowboy" for me. It is not 100% "fully Midwest." Yes, it is very much "Midwest" -- of course, it is not far from the NW corner of Iowa, and near the Minnesota border. Yet, a full-fledged, truest "Midwest City" is usually on quieter, slower moving, lazy, muddy river, sometimes has a classic river boat out on that river, and it feels a little different than Sioux Falls, SD, imo. They don't have rapids, rushing water, and big rocks downtown. That, in itself, feels a bit "Northern" or "Western." I mean, how many Midwest cities are an easy "weekend trip" to scenery & towns that look & feel totally western -- the Badlands, the Black Hills, Devils Tower, Deadwood, Rapid City? I'm sorry, Midwest cities are more a "days drive" and a "week vacation" away from those type places. It's the same way Oklahoma City & Dallas are moving away from the true Midwest feel, entering into a new zone, even though they are still surrounded by prairies, and have some definite Midwest qualities. Like Sioux Falls, "cowboyish" Oklahoma City & Dallas aren't far from southwestern/western-looking scenery, as the Midwest landscape fades away. Or, I think of how a touch of the South is felt in St. Louis, and if driving from St. Louis to Memphis, somehow & somewhere, you cross from the Midwest into the South. Or, who calls Little Rock, Arkansas the "true Midwest" or the "true South?" It's a little of both. That's what I (logically) feel about Sioux Falls.

[Busguy2010]

I've never been to Macy's, and for some reason for like a week when I was 15 or so, I really wondered why Omaha didn't have a Macy's. I really wanted one as a symbol of our status for some reason. I looked around and saw no indication Macy's was coming to town, and I started to support the retailers we already have. The rest was history.

[Greg S]

Topeka & Joplin in the 1950's? That's shocking. My "other parents" lived in Topeka growing up, and when they first got transferred to Topeka around 1987 from South FL, my stepmother literally bawled when she saw their crummy, tacky White Lakes Mall. West Ridge Mall was soon built afterwards, feeling "heaven sent" to her. She would be shocked to see a Macy's in Topeka, too -- after being around them in FL (like GSmucker pointed out). Did the company start off as more "down to earth", then go to being more prestigious, then have now returned to their roots -- or somethhing?

No, they have always pretty much been what they are. They used to have stores in downtowns (like we had Brandeis and others here) but they have always catered to the middle class in addition to having upscale merchandise.


Greg