Today Macy’s confirmed a list of 66 stores they are closing, with likely the most shocking one being the iconic Center City Philadelphia location. There are no South Jersey stores on the list.
An associated Customer FAQ states that clearance sales will begin in January and will run approximately 8-12 weeks. This most likely has stores closing at the end of the First Quarter of 2025.
Macy’s announced a year ago that they would start the process to reduce their store count by a total of 150 stores over a three-year period. The published list today was the first year of closures.
While the entire region is feeling the pain of that Philadelphia closure, for South Jersey it’s a small sigh of relief as none of their South Jersey locations are listed. With Department Store locations in Deptford, Cherry Hill, and Mays Landing… it still likely leaves some lingering anxiety for local employees to carry over through the next two years.
The fate of the Philadelphia location has been rumored for the last several days and weeks, so while it absolutely is shocking news in the retail industry… folks had a strong inclination that the Philadelphia location was coming.
Macy’s in Center City Philadelphia on its own is an iconic presence offering a vibrant central hub to downtown as well as a workplace for numerous employees… but another impact is the famous department store building itself which has likely been visited by millions in the Delaware Valley.
While Wanamakers opened their first Department store in Philadelphia in 1876, this 1300 Market Street store was completed in 1910 and opened in 1911… dedicated by President Taft.
The building is also home to the largest operating musical instrument in the world!
The entire Philadelphia area also knows the Wanamaker building for its signature Holiday Christmas displays which included a large light show in the Grand Court atrium, as well as the Dickens Village Animated Character display… which was originally part of another iconic Philadelphia department store, Strawbrdges.
According to website Atlas Obscura, the building was the first to use electrical lighting (in 1878) and the first season pneumatic tube system for transporting cash and documents (in 1880).
The Grand Court pipe organ was built for the 1904 Saint Louis World’s Fair originally at a smaller size… and when Wanamaker purchased the organ he decided that it was not large enough to fill the Grand Court with music, and Wanamaker’s own team expanded its size
The organ is still played every day except Sunday!
in 1978 the building was designated a National Historic landmark.
In their press release Macy’s reiterates their plan to close 150 underproductive stores over the three-year period. Which will leave them with 350 stores going forwards through fiscal 2026.
The Philadelphia Inquirer today covers the ownership of the building and prospects for it’s future… the building is not owned by Macy’s and has been facing financial losses. It’s granite construction could make repurposing into residential and other uses very difficult and expensive, to support exterior windows.
“Closing any store is never easy, but as part of our Bold New Chapter strategy, we are closing underproductive Macy’s stores to allow us to focus our resources and prioritize investments in our go–forward stores, where customers are already responding positively to better product offerings and elevated service,” said Tony Spring, chairman and chief executive officer of Macy’s, Inc.
Links and Location
Macy’s Center City Philadelphia Closing
1300 Market Street
Philadelphia PA