Not Sure How Reliable This Is, But . . .

Devastating Philly Loss: Iconic Store Closing!

Sometimes a store is more than a store. Sometimes when it's a landmark department store -- one that takes up a whole city block -- it's intertwined with the history, the culture and even the well being of a city.

Such is the case with Macy's (formerly Wanamaker's) in center city Philadelphia. Founded by John Wanamaker in 1861, Wanamaker's was one of the first department stores in the United States. And John Wanamaker was one of the city's most prominent and influential citizens. In fact, to this day, his likeness remains in the form of a bronze statue facing the store just outside Philadelphia's City Hall. 

The dramatic grand court of the original Wanamaker store at 13th and Markets streets is a veritable cathedral of commerce. In the center a huge bronze eagle faces the nine-story high Wanamaker pipe organ, the world's largest with 28,000 pipes. Both of these were transported from the St. Louis World's Fair more than 100 years ago.

For generations Philadelphians have gathered at the grand court calling on friends to "meet me at the eagle" and joining with family members for the spectacular Christmas light show in this inspiring public place. Macy's took over Wanamaker's in 2006, condensing the mammoth store but retaining the grand court, daily organ concerts, the light show and other beloved elements.

Now, Macy's, in an ongoing effort to eliminate unproductive stores, has announced the closing of 65 more stores including the center city Philadelphia location. 

This is a tremendous blow to Philadelphia -- a huge, devastating loss for a city that has been on a downhill slide for at least a decade now, if not a lot longer. 

The recently ended Jim Kenney era accelerated the city's decline as Mayor Kenney was a progressive ideologue with a fierce vindictive streak who turned his back on the city's commercial and financial district, paid little heed to business leaders and stood by as crime, violence, homelessness, filth, blight and open air drug markets took over more and more of the city.

Fueling all of it has been Larry Krasner, a criminal-loving district attorney funded by George Soros. Today, Philadelphia is paying the price, not just for Kenney, Krasner and their failures but for more than 70 years of iron clad one-party rule under one Democrat regime after another, largely enforced by union thugs and patronage appointees as much of those who might have led the town out of this morass sat idly by. 

This is the story of nearly all the Democrat-run cities in this country and now Philadelphia can claim the dubious distinction of being right up there with Detroit, San Francisco and Los Angeles among cities that have effectively gone to hell.

How sad!

New York At Christmas: A Magical Wonderland!

Few places can compete with Manhattan at Christmas. The city goes all out. We visited last week and this first set of photos shows the windows at Macy's, decorations at The Langham Hotel, the nativity scene at St. Patrick's Cathedral and the magnificent tree at the iconic Trump Tower. Note the Macy's employee outside one of the windows tinkering with an interactive mechanism. Oh, well -- it can't all be perfect!

Yes, It Was Simpler Then, And Less PC!

Superman in the Macy's Thanksgiving Parade. New York City, November 21, 1940

Fashion: Look At The MEN's Department Now!

If you're browsing the men's department of your favorite store this spring you might be in for a big surprise. In fact, it might turn out to be such a shock that you might for a moment that you're in the women's department rather than the men's.

Because you'll find new men's apparel in floral prints; bright, vivd, bold colors and delicate patterns adorned with feminine touches. And we're not talking a stroll through an edgy boutique here -- we're talking the main floor of a mass marketer like Macy's, in a suburban mall, which is where we found these.

After a dark, grey year of COVID it seems the fashion industry is determined to push men into prissy patterns and eye-catching hues. Sure, men have been wearing colorful, whimsical, patterned socks for quite some time now. But that's just a bit of fun accessorizing. This is much more expansive and it's even extending into men's footwear which is increasingly multi-colored.

And while men may have naturally sported brighter solids and bold stripes come summer, we think you'll agree that what's happening now is a step way beyond all that.

Call it gender blending or gender bending or androgynous, if you will. It just all seems to be part of the movement away from just two distinct genders and onto . . . what? Well, we're not entirely sure!

Amidst The Craziness, Fond Memories Of . . . . CHRISTMAS!

There's no denying it.
Christmas is not quite the same this year. Social distancing has put a crimp in it. And many of the special treats of Christmas are just not there this year.

For example, we haven't made our annual trip to New York to take in all the special treats of the Big Apple during the Christmas season -- the spectacular decorations at the stores and businesses along Fifth Avenue and elsewhere. Some (like Lord & Taylor) are gone. Others, aren't on display so as not to attract crowds.

Still, we're bringing you some photos from years past of Christmas in New York just in case you've forgotten how grand it can be. And we hope that's the way it will be next year at this time.

But Christmas doesn't always have to be grand and spectacular.

As you look at these photos, remember that it's also simple: the wonder in a child's eyes, a heartfelt gift to the needy, the scent of fresh pine or balsam, your silent prayer at the manger, the extra greenbacks that you drop into that Salvation Army red kettle, the card that you send to a member of our armed forces defending our nation, a cup of hot chocolate by the fireplace, the wondrous joy of Christmas morning and your own thanks that you can once again share it all with those you love.

Keep Christmas -- keep it quietly in your heart and share it openly, confidently, proudly and generously with the whole world!

Two photos above: Macy's windows tell the story of Christmas at Macy's

 Six photos above: Our favorite windows this year - Keeping Christmas Traditions at Lord & Taylor.

Three photos above: The model train display at the Railroad Museum in Grand Central Station.

Two photos above and one below: The grand Christmas tree and wreath at the Met Life Building.

Three photos above: Saks windows.

Two photos above: the huge, inspiring manger at St. Patrick's Cathedral and carolers outside St. Pat's.

The Tree at Rockefeller Center.

The spectacular entrance to Henri Bendel.

Harry Winston's Rare Jewels of the World.

Bulgari Jewels.

Five photos above: The lavish window displays at Bergdorf Goodman.

Three photos above: Inside Tiffany's, including the incredible (and priceless) Tiffany diamond.

Two photos above: The Christmas tree at Trump Tower and Mr. Trump's pointsettias.

The oversized set of Christmas lights on Sixth Avenue.

Two photos above: Times Square at night and the Empire State Building.

All photos copyright 2012 by Dan Cirucci.