Casey Penk

Review of Macy's

Well, it's certainly large. Much as a skyscraper r...

Well, it's certainly large. Much as a skyscraper requires one to two city blocks for the foundations of its supporting structures, this one gobbles up some of the more expensive real estate in the world.

And it's convenient, straddling the NQR and 123 (including express lines). The stations are literally across the street.

Service is middling. The salesperson didn't say much -- aren't they supposed to hire warm and outgoing people for their most important store, the one that reflects most upon their brand, to tourists from around the world no less? It's about self-respect.

They close at 9 on Sundays, which is ridiculous. So many people are out until 11, and this is a central location. For local residents who need something at an uncommon hour (I like to shop at night), this should serve as a reliable destination. Anyways, if their intention is to give employees time off and at least partially observe the Sabbath, I can appreciate that.

The lower level was closed off when I was there, but was still listed on the directories. The items sold there were available on other floors, but they didn't indicate as much. It was up to the visitor to wander different floors and hopefully run into what they want. Myself, I found the section I wanted after traversing several escalators and after giving up much hope of even getting there.

They have a weird set of brands, mostly middle- to upper-tier names for middle aged people. What's particularly unappealing to me as a young adult is the proliferation of Polo Ralph Lauren. It's a Macy's favorite, and indistinguishable from their former Donald Trump line. Hugo Boss, I approve of, and bought some good-looking underwear of that variety.

It's immaculately polished, as a rapper once put it. You'll encounter gleaming white floors all around. I would have appreciated even brighter lights, so as to make the whole place shine, overwhelming the visitor with shiny white floors and bold black walls. This doesn't reach the pinnacle of luxury. Being the classiest Macy's in the world doesn't necessarily mean being the classiest store in the city.

This flagship tries hard but doesn't break into the realm of extraordinary. It's tempered by the mediocrity that characterizes Macy's as a whole -- neither high-fashion nor affordable. A reflection of middle-class, suburban America. Neither luxury nor fast fashion. A partial attempt at classy, but still frumpy.