Promise Of $10 Sends Shoppers Into Oppressive Heat

This morning, the new Macy’s in the Wanamaker Building opened, and people flocked there.

The main reason people stood in lines that were “two blocks long, wrapping around two sides of the building” was the $10 gift cards Macy’s was handing out to the first 1,000 customers. And 10 “lucky shoppers” won a cool thousand bucks to buy, buy, buy to their heart’s content.

Of course, it was in the high 80s this morning when everyone lined up for the store’s opening. Here’s how the Inquirer describes it:

Joseph Burnside of Philadelphia said he arrived at 7:30 but wished he’d gotten there by 5. “I thought I would beat the crowd but the crowd beat me. I should have bugalooed down here.” Occasionally, he’d shout out a suggestion for another giveaway: “Maybe you could pass out some water!” ¶ Other people were trying to handle the heat by fanning themselves with newspapers, and blotting their brows with tissues.

I can see the headlines tomorrow: 25 die of heatstroke at Macy’s opening.

Still, it’s not all possible bodily harm due to dehydration. Some people have shopping down to a science:

Lorraine Jamison and Leticia Robinson, both in town for a sorority convention, came straight from the gym. “We have a strategy,” said Robinson. “If we see anything, we kindly ask them to put it on hold, we go back and shower, and get our credit cards.”

And they say shopping’s not an art form.

Crowd forms early for Macy’s opening this morning [Inquirer]

America’s Next Great (Cheap, Second-Rate — But Friendly!) City

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.)

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:

A Boscov’s store averages 185,000 square feet in size, compared with a Wal-Mart Supercenter at 120,000 square feet. Most Boscov’s stores have a vision center, a travel agency, a Ticketron service, and a hair salon. All offer electronic repair service, free gift wrap, and free layaway. Each still has a candy department where fudge is baked daily.

Wow, they really are a throwback! They still have a Ticketron!

Looking to spin gold from Strawbridge’s [Inky]
Ticketron [Wikipedia]
Related: Friends of the Wanamaker Organ