We visit Macy’s every year, more to keep tradition alive than from anticipation of what we’ll see. I’m not sure what this year’s theme was — it seemed to be about Chicago Christmas traditions — but it was better than it has been in recent years.
As part of our annual tradition, we ride the escalators up through Macy’s to the Frango Mint store where we buy some for ourselves and some as presents. Whoops! Now everyone can see what we paid.
In 2005, when Macy’s bought out Marshall Field’s, there was a storm of protest from Chicago natives incensed that the local icon was no more. To appease these folks, Macy’s designated a portion of the store as a shrine to Marshall Field’s. Over the years, this area has become less and less a museum and more and more just another retail area, although there are still signs on the wall that tell the history of the building. There’s also this cool glass clock, a replica of the famous clock at the corner of State and Randolph Streets.
Next to the fountain there was a table where kids could write letters to Santa. There was also a mailbox and a Believe Meter (which I was happy to see was up as high as it could go). And there was a shelf of “Yes, Virginia” dolls. I took the opportunity for a photo and didn’t have to pay a cent.
