Thousands Visit Macy’s For Final Pipe Organ Performance
Alex Lloyd Gross Photo-Delaware Valley News.com Mark Bani with the pipe organ he plays at Macy’s.
by Alex Lloyd Gross
Macy’s has closed their center city location. The iconic store once was home to John Wannamaker’s. That was when retail stores were almost at war with each other, trying to out do one another to attract customers. Sometimes sales were not enough. You wanted to get customers in the store and keep them there.
In 1911 a giant Pipe Organ was installed in the Grand Court of Wannamaker’s. According to Mark Bani as assistant organist,. “There were two performances a day from 1911”. Bani worked from 1981 to 1985 and then returned for eight years. He was one of many organists that serenaded people yesterday, in the final show under the Macy’s name.
Macy’s took over the building, located across from city hall in center city Philadelphia. Over the past 15 years, retailers have been hit hard. Online shopping has eaten away a huge chunk of consumer dollars. Online retailers do not have to pay rent, some retailers use this as a side business, so the item that costs $50.00 in a store could be had for much cheaper online.
In the decision to close the center city store, they liquidated the store and by Saturday, there was nothing left, except a small smattering of women’s clothes in un popular sizes. Store fixtures were being sold as was furniture. Outside the store, people arrived with pick up tucks to load their haul away.
Alex Lloyd Gross Photo-Delaware Valley News.com Macy’s center city location is now closed.
Not everyone came to shop.Thousands came and stayed in the Grand Court to listen to hourly concerts by organists. About 200 chairs were provided by Macy’s. Some people brought their own lawn chairs and st, closed their eyes and let the rich sounds of the organ relax them.
In the middle of the court is the Eagle, a staple since the days of John Wanmnaker. The Eagle was the meeting point, people would simply say “I’ll meet you at the Eagle” and everyone knew what that meant. People stopped to take photos and get photos taken with the Eagle and/or the pipe organ. Both are preserved and cannot be destroyed or sold.
Alex Lloyd Gross Photo-Delaware Valley News.com The Eagle listens to the pipe organ at Macy’s.
It is unknown when the Eagle and the Pipe Organ will be open for visitors or operational again. Many are hopeful it will continue in some form. Macy’s as a business is not closing. Some Macy’s stores will continue to stay open in the area.