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I think because I've been in retail most of my life, I'm extra-aware of the changes in the retail industry. Not only have I noticed how the physical aspect of retail has changed, but also, and more so, how customer service and the process of purchasing products has changed. 

Although I think that online shopping has its advantages; particularly if you're replenishing a product, nothing compares to shopping in a brick and mortar store where you can speak face to face with an associate. But alas, brick and mortar stores are slowly fading to black. 

Many companies now offer "virtual" shopping, which I feel was such a great thing during the pandemic because people were unable to shop in person. However, as great as it was, it still didn't replace seeing a product in person where you could touch and feel it. As advantageous as virtual shopping is, there is still a computer monitor between you, the customer service representative, and the product. Nothing can replace human to human contact. As least to me, anyway. In as much as interaction with the public can sometimes be very trying in the retail industry, I still prefer having a job in which I am surrounded by other humans. 

Today, I would like to share several Then and Now photographs of Philadelphia department stores. The vintage photos you'll see, I found online. The current photos, I took myself. I get such pleasure and enjoyment from doing comparison posts because I find it interesting to see how things (such as styles) have changed over the years. And although they may have changed, I love how you can still see glimpses of the beautiful history within its structure, as if it's saying, "I'm still here."

Please enjoy...

Lit Brothers (Market Street)


Then


Now (Ross Dress For Less)

Gimbels (Market Street)


Then


Now -- Unfortunately in 1977, Gimbles was demolished. It is currently a parking lot. 

Strawbridge & Clothier (Market Street)


Then


Now (Century 21)

Woolworth (Chestnut Street)


Then (aren't the vintage automobiles faaaaabulous?)


Now (West Elm, an art supply store, and a bowling alley)

Robinson (Market Street)

Then


Now (abandoned)

John Wanamaker (Market Street)


Then -- John Wanamaker was my personal favorite store when I was growing up because it was retail at its finest. Shopping in Wanamaker was not only about shopping, but about "the shopping experience." The customer service was impeccable, and the sales associates were all knowledgeable in the merchandise they represented. They went out of their way to assist you and took great care in their work. Wanamaker employees were proud to work for such an establishment. And as a customer, you could feel that. I clearly remember walking through the store with my mother and thinking to myself, "One day I'm going to be working in a place like this!" 

My mother's first credit card was from John Wanamaker. And back then, credit cards were a huge deal because it was rare that you got one. Nowadays, the second you turn 6-years old, you're pre-approved for an AMEX card with a $50,000. limit. 


Note: In the photo collage above I highlighted *the exterior of the store; *the Wanamaker Rocket Express monorail (which I rode) that was suspended from the ceiling in the toy department; *the Crystal Tea Room on the top floor, where my mother would take us for lunch during the Christmas holidays. I'd always order a delicious triple-decker club sandwich with an iced tea; *the first floor atrium that invokes the grandeur of the 1920's architecture. That's a 30,000 pipe organ - the largest working pipe organ in the world. 

*Much of the 1987 movie Mannequin was filmed at Wanamaker's.


Now -- Macy's. To be perfectly honest, when Macy's took over in 2006, the building quickly deteriorated. Although the exterior of the building remains beautiful, the interior is a shambles. The customer service is non-existent and the merchandise is just flung all over the floors. I avoid going inside because you can literally feel a depression that hangs heavily in the air coming from John Wanamaker himself, knowing what the store used to be, compared to what it is now. Macy's puts forth zero effort in sustaining any kind of respect for the property and its history. Macy's as a company, overall, has been going downhill for many, many years. Shopping at Macy's is like shopping in a loud and chaotic flea market. 

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Ah yes, the good ol' days of window shopping...


Thanks so much for taking this tour of Then and Now department stores.


Have a splendid week, everyone! 
💗