Heartbreaking: Iconic store closes, locals react!
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An iconic Macy’s store is preparing to close its doors after nearly seven decades, leaving a community heartbroken. For generations, it was more than a store—it was a place of memories and milestones.
Why is this beloved landmark shutting down?
The news of the closure, confirmed by employees and reported by the Statesman Journal, is part of a broader, somber update from Macy's.
The retail giant announced that 65 stores would shutter by the end of the fiscal year in February, though the full list of affected locations remains undisclosed.
The Salem store, however, is set to close its doors by March, as employees and customers were informed last October.
The impact of this closure echoes beyond the walls of Macy's.
Susan Brewer, a loyal customer, expressed her dismay to the Statesman, highlighting the inconvenience and the ripple effect it will have on the city.
“It's a loss to our city,” she lamented.
"When people start having to travel to purchase items they’ll purchase other items, so it’ll be a loss to other stores as well, and it will also encourage people to do more online, which will be me," Brewer added.
The closure not only forces residents to travel significant distances for similar shopping experiences but also accelerates the shift to online shopping—a trend that could further erode the local retail landscape.
Salem's Macy's is the latest in a series of departures from the Salem Center, following Nordstrom in 2018 and JCPenney in 2020.
These losses have left a void in the heart of the city, prompting calls for action to revitalize the downtown area and make it more appealing to both investors and locals.
Amidst the closures, there's a glimmer of hope.
Kelly McDonald, an investor in Salem and part of the group JLL that acquired the shopping mall last year, has ambitious plans for the space.
The 188,000-square-foot store is expected to close in the spring, but McDonald envisions a transformation that will breathe new life into the building.
His plans include remodeling it into smaller retail and entertainment spaces and introducing a major tenant to occupy between 25,000 and 40,000 square feet.
McDonald's vision is to create a vibrant hub that will cater to a new generation, crafting fresh memories in a space that respects its past but looks forward to the future.
He reassures the community that demolition is not on the cards, nor is converting the space into housing. “It's just changing,” he said, emphasizing the desire to rejuvenate the area.
“It's not what we remember growing up. It's going to be new memories for a different generation," McDonald’s said.
"We want to bring it back to life."
Macy's closure in Salem reflects a broader trend reshaping the retail industry.
Experts warn that the US could see as many as 45,000 brick-and-mortar store closures over the next five years.
The retail landscape has been particularly challenging for clothing, consumer electronics, sporting goods, hobby, book, music, and home furnishing stores since 2019.
Despite this, UBS predicts that while some retailers will decline, others like Walmart, Costco, Home Depot, and Target may thrive.
As we witness the transformation of Macy's in Salem, it's a poignant reminder of the ever-evolving nature of commerce and community.
What are your fondest memories of shopping at Macy's over the years? With the rise of online shopping and the decline of brick-and-mortar stores, how have your shopping habits changed? Share your insights with us in the comments below.
Why is this beloved landmark shutting down?
The news of the closure, confirmed by employees and reported by the Statesman Journal, is part of a broader, somber update from Macy's.
The retail giant announced that 65 stores would shutter by the end of the fiscal year in February, though the full list of affected locations remains undisclosed.
The Salem store, however, is set to close its doors by March, as employees and customers were informed last October.
The closure is part of a wider trend, with Macy's confirming that 65 locations will close by February's end. Image source: Masakazu Masaki/Pexels.
The impact of this closure echoes beyond the walls of Macy's.
Susan Brewer, a loyal customer, expressed her dismay to the Statesman, highlighting the inconvenience and the ripple effect it will have on the city.
“It's a loss to our city,” she lamented.
"When people start having to travel to purchase items they’ll purchase other items, so it’ll be a loss to other stores as well, and it will also encourage people to do more online, which will be me," Brewer added.
The closure not only forces residents to travel significant distances for similar shopping experiences but also accelerates the shift to online shopping—a trend that could further erode the local retail landscape.
Salem's Macy's is the latest in a series of departures from the Salem Center, following Nordstrom in 2018 and JCPenney in 2020.
These losses have left a void in the heart of the city, prompting calls for action to revitalize the downtown area and make it more appealing to both investors and locals.
Amidst the closures, there's a glimmer of hope.
Kelly McDonald, an investor in Salem and part of the group JLL that acquired the shopping mall last year, has ambitious plans for the space.
The 188,000-square-foot store is expected to close in the spring, but McDonald envisions a transformation that will breathe new life into the building.
His plans include remodeling it into smaller retail and entertainment spaces and introducing a major tenant to occupy between 25,000 and 40,000 square feet.
McDonald's vision is to create a vibrant hub that will cater to a new generation, crafting fresh memories in a space that respects its past but looks forward to the future.
He reassures the community that demolition is not on the cards, nor is converting the space into housing. “It's just changing,” he said, emphasizing the desire to rejuvenate the area.
“It's not what we remember growing up. It's going to be new memories for a different generation," McDonald’s said.
"We want to bring it back to life."
Macy's closure in Salem reflects a broader trend reshaping the retail industry.
Experts warn that the US could see as many as 45,000 brick-and-mortar store closures over the next five years.
The retail landscape has been particularly challenging for clothing, consumer electronics, sporting goods, hobby, book, music, and home furnishing stores since 2019.
Despite this, UBS predicts that while some retailers will decline, others like Walmart, Costco, Home Depot, and Target may thrive.
As we witness the transformation of Macy's in Salem, it's a poignant reminder of the ever-evolving nature of commerce and community.
