my impressions of Portland, 2 weeks later (Clackamas: coupons, buyer, school)

[TDNY]

Speaking of Meyer & Frank's, when I got married in 1999, my wife's family (she's from Portland) were pestering her for not registering at Myer & Frank. Several aunts kept asking "Why didn't you register at Myer & Frank?" She was like "I live in NY, why would I register at Myer & Frank?"

They all were so loyal to that store, I seriously doubt they feel the same way about Macy's.

[Minervah]

Originally Posted by TDNY

Speaking of Meyer & Frank's, when I got married in 1999, my wife's family (she's from Portland) were pestering her for not registering at Myer & Frank. Several aunts kept asking "Why didn't you register at Myer & Frank?" She was like "I live in NY, why would I register at Myer & Frank?"

They all were so loyal to that store, I seriously doubt they feel the same way about Macy's.

Meyer & Frank's had a wonderful humorous 12 Days of Christmas window display. My favorite was the "Two Turtledoves" which consisted of animatronic turtles with bird-like wings.

Macy's is just another typical store. They don't have either the ambiance or merchandise M&F's had. I do go there to buy Frango Mints though.

[Daisy32673]

Originally Posted by Minervah

Meyer & Frank's had a wonderful humorous 12 Days of Christmas window display. My favorite was the "Two Turtledoves" which consisted of animatronic turtles with bird-like wings.

Macy's is just another typical store. They don't have either the ambiance or merchandise M&F's had. I do go there to buy Frango Mints though.

I dearly miss M&F (the downtown store at least). The holidays there were such a special time and eating in the Georgian Room was always a fun experience

[Minervah]

The Georgian Room was great. There were waiters and staff who had worked there for 20-30 years. I remember when word came that Macy's was shutting them down, many loyal customers came by to say goodbye and brought the employees small gifts to show their appreciation for many years of great customer service.

[Nell Plotts]

Oh yes. My mother sold her downtown business in 1974, she and her partner lunched at the Georgian Room several times a week for 20 years. A few years ago husband and I scoped out the Terwilliger Plaza (yes, we are that old) and the chef from the Georgian Room managed their kitchen. Odds are he continued to serve his former clientele.

[pdxMIKEpdx]

Originally Posted by Minervah

I miss the uniqueness and individuality Portland once had.

That right there.

[EnricoV]

Originally Posted by TDNY

Speaking of Meyer & Frank's, when I got married in 1999, my wife's family (she's from Portland) were pestering her for not registering at Myer & Frank. Several aunts kept asking "Why didn't you register at Myer & Frank?" She was like "I live in NY, why would I register at Myer & Frank?"

They all were so loyal to that store, I seriously doubt they feel the same way about Macy's.

Who's loyal? Just because I REFUSE to shop at Macy's, or watch their stupid parade, for killing Meier & Frank's doesn't make me loyal, does it?

[EnricoV]

Originally Posted by Minervah

I miss the clothing department at Fred's that used to be in the 39th and Hawthorne Blvd store. They also took it out of the 82nd and Foster Rd store. The large stores still have them like Hollywood and Johnson Creek.

Once Fred's and Newberry's left downtown, there was nothing like them to fill the void. A Target downtown would be great for the people working downtown. And the propsed loctation, the Galleria, is a pretty good place for it. I hope it happens.

There was a clothing department at Freddies on 39th last time I was there (a year or two ago ... I hate to shop). It's upstairs.

[Nell Plotts]

Actually neither the May Company nor Macy's killed Meier & Frank. What did it in was the common problem with succession planning in a firm owned by the families of the founders. There were one-up's man ship games among the executives. One Sunday an executive left a note, "I was here and you weren't!" Not a good situation, they just couldn't trust a retail manager from the outside. Eventually they needed to sell the business to others without that baggage.

Meier & Frank was a client of my mother's business, the Copes (merchandising executive at M&F - leaving in the early 60s) kids were my friends in high school so I overheard snippets of the battles.

[Minervah]

Originally Posted by EnricoV

There was a clothing department at Freddies on 39th last time I was there (a year or two ago ... I hate to shop). It's upstairs.

Not since the remodel. The only clothing they sell is underpants and socks. And it's downstairs.