How's everyone doing amongst the Coronavirus shut down? (Philadelphia, Chester: transfer, school)

[kyb01]

Originally Posted by cpomp

AMC is on the verge of declaring bankruptcy. Really sad since the nice fancy one in CC just opened.

I think Macys may hold on some of its best locations, but without a doubt the company might be a shell of its former self 1 year from now.

Yes, I read that about AMC.

Well, there is so much to be sad about right now that it's hard to describe. However RTM was kinda jammed last Saturday.

[kyb01]

Originally Posted by moneymkt

One of Macys worst locations is 13th and Market. Had to go to Cherry Hill to get a nice wallet

Somehow I'm not surprise that you would say this. lol. Nevermind the history of the building at 13th and Market. But, Cherry Hill Mall has it's own history.

I learned something a couple of days ago. One of JC Pennys first suburban mall/ strip mall locations was in King of Prussia before it turned into the version we know today.

[kyb01]

Originally Posted by cpomp

Its actually among their higher performing stores (mostly due to location and foot traffic), but I agree, the Macys in Cherry Hill and KoP are better stocked, more organized, brighter and just nicer.
Kinda stinks since the Wanamker Building is so stunning, but the store mostly feels a bit dark and dreary, except the newer home section on the third floor.

But info from a friend, the Macys in CC, Cherry Hill, KoP, Christiana and Springfield and all high-performing stores, I don't see those going down unless the whole company goes down.

There's no way to sensibly predict anything at all right now. Will people be willing to mingle in a huge store again?

[kyb01]

Originally Posted by cpomp

How ironic that the Center City store gets the least TLC when compared to the other 3. But I won't go off topic any further.

Imo, the only thing that matters there is the organ.

[AJNEOA]

Originally Posted by kyb01

There's no way to sensibly predict anything at all right now. Will people be willing to mingle in a huge store again?

If something like Ebola was airborne and as contagious as this novel coronavirus, that would be a troubling question. But unless this coronavirus starts mutating more quickly, it will run its course. It might take a year or two, although antivirals and an eventual vaccine may speed things up if we can create them and make them available to the average person (the second part of that being the key). That's my belief.

[kyb01]

Originally Posted by AJNEOA

If something like Ebola was airborne and as contagious as this novel coronavirus, that would be a troubling question. But unless this coronavirus starts mutating more quickly, it will run its course. It might take a year or two, although antivirals and an eventual vaccine may speed things up if we can create them and make them available to the average person (the second part of that being the key). That's my belief.

I'm probably the only person here, except southbound, who personally experienced when the Salk and Sabin vaccines became available. It was like a miracle. Well, it was a miracle. By the time I graduated HS the nightmare of polio was significantly over. Market El was a child when the Sabin vaccine came out. But maybe he does remember it.

Since SARS does not have a vaccine it will be interesting to see how quickly one will be developed for this virus.

[Mayvenne]

I remember very well getting the Polio shots (Salk) and then the miracle of the Savin one that if I recall was like a sugary drink. Talk about a miracle!
I remember people who were maybe 10 years older than me who had limps from having had polio.I was born in 53. I just googled and it looks like the Salk one came out in 55.
I do remember my parents telling me that swimming in lakes was feared; salt water was considered safer.

[ThinkPositiveRespect]

Originally Posted by TownDweller

Interesting history, off topic but a good read anyway. Yes, it has been office space for a while.

Same thing happened to the iconic Carson Pirie Scott store, one block down from MF on State Street. MF was built in several stages over years, but CPS was designed by Louis Henry Sullivan and is a masterpiece. Sullivan was the man who saw promise in a young architect named Frank Lloyd Wright and subsequently loaned him $5,000 towards his Oak Park home.

Good reading in this thread. Just adding that the old Carson Pirie Scott store as a Target store, was a huge surprise to me in a Big city downtown street. It suceeded there for maybe a decade already? So people shop in a full Target there. Having a Apple store to Liquor and beer to groceries and housewares.

It is no secret that this street has a high level of African-Americans in the city utilize it and keep it vibrant with stores. Add office workers to residents nearby. But suffering losses is more likely then its higher-end N Michigan Ave tourist haven sister-street.

It was a miracle retail returned to this original retail street, since virually had all retail lost by the 1990s. City spending millions in each try at redoing the street. The 90s try as a car-free mall as grey and unappealing with spewing diesel buses, added to its fall till this last redo to a full street worthy of sucess again. You have to give the city credit for not giving up on it. But the cost was what many cities would not have tried.

Origially posted bykyb01 Imo, the only thing that matters there is the organ.

Love its majestic Organ still preseved as a asset to the city. Better Macy's took it over then no retail there. Could be multiple boutique stores and eateries though too. If Macy's did fall.

Chicago's former Marshall Field Flagship as a Macy's (mentioned by others). Still houses its Tiffany Dome and Large Walnut room restaurant on the 7th floor. Macy's luckily still maintains this first restaurant in a department store grand space. Floors 8-14 Macy's put up for development in 2018, as probably offices. Some worried it would not keep the 7th floor restaurant, but it has.

Hopefully, Macy's keeps all these old Grand Dame's of American retail open. But a uphill battle is nipping at it. Like mentioned. Macy's last hold onto stores will be these relics. But at the right price offered? Who knows.

[TownDweller]

Originally Posted by kyb01

There's no way to sensibly predict anything at all right now. Will people be willing to mingle in a huge store again?

I think the answer is yes, but not for a while. It's a part of our culture.

[selhars]

I know I'm not planning to be in even any medium sized groups between now and at least the end of the year. No sit down eat-in at restaurants for example. Take out -- MAYbe. Right right now, though, no one is making my food but me. (A co-worker told me he went to a corner bodega to get a take out platter. I was shocked. But I think a lot of people are still eating or ordering out.)

I think employers will do more tele-conferences. And IF they do medium to large-sized meetings, (if they're smart) they will give those who want to opt out, or are wary, the option of being on video or the phone.

Glad Gov. Wolf was on the big govs news conference yesterday with other east coast govs. They're right: we've got to be very smart about "opening up" the economy.