It was 7 a.m. Sunday when the historic Macy’s building in Downtown Houston was imploded. The 65-year-old building had historic value for not only those who worked in the area, but for the city itself.
“It’s quite sad for me,” says Eugenia Lam, a UH alumna who works downtown.
The demolition of Macy’s represents something important going on right now: the recession. When one of the top retail department stores in the United States fails in the downtown area of the country’s fourth-largest city, clearly, there is a problem.
Although many would blame only the location for its downfall, Lam does not think so. “It was its location (as well as the fact that) they didn’t bring the right inventory for the right target market … Most Macy’s stores are nicer and have newer items. This one gave me the impression of an old people store.”
Macy’s was a positive addition and it was a local meet-up place for those who visited or worked in the area. Everyone knew where Macy’s was and would make a stop to go in. The building was a key part of the high rise buildings that make our beautiful downtown skyline. Houston is forever changed.
With the blank slate now apparent, those whose lives revolve around the area will attempt to move on and turn this destruction into a positive experience. “Hopefully this can be a symbol of change,” states Lam’s colleague Aimee Ramirez.“The aged building was becoming an eye sore and maybe a more modern structure will take its place.”
Ramirez is still upset to see it go. It has become a part of many lives and all we can hope is that this situation will affect downtown in a favorable way.
The store closed because it lost it’s lease.
So the company imploded? Geez, another wonky headline.
The store went downhill even before Macy’s got it. It was wonderful about 50 years ago with 10 floors of shopping and the bargain basement was on two different blocks-one of those under the garage. Nearby on Main Street were Sakowitz, Battlestein’s, Oshman’s sporting goods and other stores.
I found this article to be insightful as well as nostalgic. It gives us pause when we witness the demolition of such a historic store. We realize just how quickly the long-term memories tied to our past are replaced or torn down for the new and improved future.