Chicagoans LOVE Marshall Field's
Marshall Field's Department Stores has rabid fans; fans who are livid that Macy's had the audacity to buy their favorite store and then change its name. It's been two years since the name change took place and Field's fans are still trying to get Macy's to bring back their beloved Marshall Field's.
Check out http://www.darrid.com a fascinating website that's fully dedicated to all things Field's. This site has photos, history, commercials -- you name it. If it's related to Marshall Fields, it's on this site. You can spend hours on this site!
And then there's http://www.fieldsfanschicago.org a "non-profit, non-commercial, non-sponsored site developed with the sole intention of focusing on what Marshall Field’s has meant to Chicagoans or anyone who loves this great Chicago institution." Here you'll find a Field's Fans Chicago e-newsletter; free "FOREVER MARSHALL FIELD'S" buttons, information about protest rally's and more.
Chicagoans haven't yet warmed up to Macy's. Maybe that's why the chain has launched a new ad campaign that plays up State Street, (home of Chicago's flagship store) not the Macy's name. The slogan, "Take Me to State Street" began appearing this week at Chicago bus shelters and train stations. The ad campaign focuses on the exclusive products and shops at Macy's State Street store. Macy's name and famous red star appear in the ads, but they do not play a big role. In a Chicago Tribune article a Macy's executive said that was by design, "We didn't say, 'Take me to Macy's on State Street,' because that isn't the point of the campaign. We're a critical part of this neighborhood. We don't want to sit around passively. We want to drive people to this neighborhood."
Yeah, right.
Still, Macy's is trying. Last month the company made good on a promise to bring Field's famous Frango mint production back to Chicago. Cupid Candies, a 71-year-old Chicago candy manufacturer, will begin making Frango mints in a one pound box early next year. (YAY!)
Check out http://www.darrid.com a fascinating website that's fully dedicated to all things Field's. This site has photos, history, commercials -- you name it. If it's related to Marshall Fields, it's on this site. You can spend hours on this site!
And then there's http://www.fieldsfanschicago.org a "non-profit, non-commercial, non-sponsored site developed with the sole intention of focusing on what Marshall Field’s has meant to Chicagoans or anyone who loves this great Chicago institution." Here you'll find a Field's Fans Chicago e-newsletter; free "FOREVER MARSHALL FIELD'S" buttons, information about protest rally's and more.
Chicagoans haven't yet warmed up to Macy's. Maybe that's why the chain has launched a new ad campaign that plays up State Street, (home of Chicago's flagship store) not the Macy's name. The slogan, "Take Me to State Street" began appearing this week at Chicago bus shelters and train stations. The ad campaign focuses on the exclusive products and shops at Macy's State Street store. Macy's name and famous red star appear in the ads, but they do not play a big role. In a Chicago Tribune article a Macy's executive said that was by design, "We didn't say, 'Take me to Macy's on State Street,' because that isn't the point of the campaign. We're a critical part of this neighborhood. We don't want to sit around passively. We want to drive people to this neighborhood."
Yeah, right.
Still, Macy's is trying. Last month the company made good on a promise to bring Field's famous Frango mint production back to Chicago. Cupid Candies, a 71-year-old Chicago candy manufacturer, will begin making Frango mints in a one pound box early next year. (YAY!)
Macy's has a great history and wonderful stores, but Field's did, too. Who knows? Maybe the Marshall Field's fans are making headway. Maybe one day signs on the Chicago stores will read, "Macy's at Marshall Fields". One thing's for sure: you can't buy loyalty like a Marshall Field's fan's loyalty. And what retailer wouldn't want customers who are that dedicated to their success?
posted by KIZER & BENDER @ Friday, November 02, 2007
2 Comments:
If the only positive thing anyone can say about Macy's is that they brought Frango production back to Chicago, than that's not saying very much. Really, it's not saying much because Macy's only contracted for a VERY small portion of Frangos to be made by Cupid, a private label maker of chocolates sold in hospital gift shops. The contract is for only one year and the recipe is not the original Marshall Field's/Frederick & Nelson recipe.
Frankly, Frango's appeal was largely due to the fact that they were Marshall Field's Frangos, available only from Marshall Field's. That name on the box made them a uniquely Chicago-style gift or treat to bring home after a visit. In contrast, Macy's Frangos sold nationwide at 840 mid-tier discount Macy's stores have little connection to Chicago and
are about as special as chocolates from Target or Walmart.
Last week I visited Macy's at Mayfair Mall in Milwaukee on the day they unveiled the newly remodeled fashion floor. My intention was to walk through the store on my way to the mall. This didn't happen. I spent a hour and a pile of money on the first floor before I headed upstairs where I spent even more. This is a wonderful store, it reminded me of the days when shopping at a department store was an experience. I bought a couple of boxes of Frangos and I will be back to shop there again. I hope the experience is the same.
Georganne
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