By George Anderson
The subject of the Marshall Field's banner being removed and replaced with Macy's is a sore one for many Chicagoans. Over the years, the hometown department store has developed a special connection for locals and visitors alike.
Many of the department stores' customers, such as Nancy Doughty, understand this will be their last Christmas with Field's.
"It's very bittersweet," she told the Chicago Tribune. "We were in downtown Chicago in early November and we wandered into the State Street store and it was like, oh my gosh, I can't believe this. Here were all these trees with ornaments decorated with MF & Co. Maybe it's kind of a last gasp."
"It's very sad to see Marshall Field's leaving, even though it hasn't been the same Field's for the past 10 years," she said. "There is a real emotional attachment to Marshall Field's that is pretty unique."
Moderator's Comment: How can Federated Department Stores make Macy's the store that Chicagoans feel is their own, aside from reversing the decision to replace Marshall Field's? - George Anderson - Moderator