Mar22 |
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America’s Next Great (Cheap, Second-Rate — But Friendly!) City What makes me cry is this: With the closing of Strawbridge’s — some are turning into Macy’s — the second largest department store in the region will be Boscov’s. And according to an article in the Inquirer, more will probably be coming. Now, don’t get me wrong: Boscov’s was a fine place for knock-off Shaq jerseys — just blue ones that said “Orlando” — when I was a boys 8-20, but the only thing I’ve used the store for since then was, uhm, an entranceway into Franklin Mills when I had to park near there. Update: My mom has informed me that the Boscov’s at Franklin Mills has closed. But this is a company that caters to the “Middle America shopper.” I love me some Middle America — uhh, not that I’ve really ever been there, but, hey — but if you think that Pennsylvania really isn’t just a more densely populated Kansas, the fact that Boscov’s could become the biggest chain in the area should convince you. Then again, let’s try not to be mean here. Boscov’s is family-owned, the workers are actually friendly as opposed to Wal-Mart faux cheerfulness and, uh, it’s not Wal-Mart. The Inquirer summarizes what makes the store so successful and down-to-Earth:
Wow, they really are a throwback! They still have a Ticketron! Looking to spin gold from Strawbridge’s [Inky] |
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Sometime in late spring/early summer, the Strawbridge’s at 8th and Market will close down, the Lord & Taylor will close to become a Macy’s and old Philadelphians will cry. (Don’t worry: Federated Department Stores, which bought the May Company, is going to keep the Christmas light show, the organ, the eagle, &c.)
