Trivia: Macy’s at 150
Macy’s in Herald Square in NYC
Macy’s celebrates 150 years this year and in honor of the achievement, here’s a little trivia from Women’s Wear Daily.
Did you know …
New York City’s Herald Square store opening day: Nov. 8, 1902
Average shopper daily: 35,000; up to 75,000 on peak holiday hours.
Gross square feet at Herald Square: 2.169 million
* The flagship is considered the third-most-visited site in the city after the Empire State Building and the Statue of Liberty.
* The store has National Historic Landmark status.
* Designed by De Lmos & Cordes, it is lauded by critics as one of the architectural jewels of turn-of-the-century New York.
FAMOUS FIRSTS
* In 1862, Macy’s is the first store to bring Santa inside to greet children. Previously he stood ouside to draw crowds. Macy’s also inaugurates elaborate holiday windows that year.
* Macy’s is the first American retail sore with modern-day escalators in 1902, and those original escalators are still in operation at the flagship.
* Macy’s Margaret Gretchell LaForge becomes the first female retail executive in 1866.
* Macy’s is the f irst department store to stay open until midnight on Christmas Eve 1867.
* In the 1890s, Macy’s pioneers the concept of private brands for fashion goods. During this decade, Macy’s and Red Star brands are all the range in New York.
* In 1924, Macy’s hosts the first annual Macy’s Thanksgiving Day parade, performed soley by company employees. The procession features floats, bands and animals from the zoo, and draws 10,000 onlookers.
* Macy’s introduces colored bath towels to America in 1932.
* Macy’s holds the first liquor license issued in NYC after Prohibition.
* Macy’s launches the first department store Flower Show in 1946.
Original wooden escalators from 1902 are still operating.
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I am the great-great grandaughter of Margaret Getchell LaForge. I recently inherited her secretary desk that she used when she was a retail executive. I also have diaries from Abiel LaForge, her husband, and Rose Maxson their daughter.