Carson Pirie Scott State St. Store - Last 9 Days!

Nothing sadder in the whole wide world. And I don't envy long-time employees who will have to start over someplace else.

But they're doing their jobs to the bitter end, just like they always did. And retail analysts will argue each other to death about why other Carson's stores are doing well and this one was nearly empty most of the time, especially with so many more potential customers living in the Loop than in years past.

Maybe regional chains are doomed to failure when they're bought by a national chain that "just doesn't get it." Especially the downtown stores of chains that have shopping malls on the brain.

But so-called "patriotic" Americans who are always carping about the lost American work ethic should come to the State Street Carson's during the next 9 days. It'll open their eyes.

POSTSCRIPT, February 22, 2007 - Today was the State Street Carson's last day. You won't have Louis Sullivan's last major Chicago building to kick around anymore.

Category:

News & Politics

Tags:

• Chicago
• Loop
• downtown
• State
• Street
• department
• store
• closing
• interior
• forever
• architecture
• Louis
• Sullivan
• architect

[stonecoldarc]

Ok, now WHY would CPS bother finding a new building or location in the Loop? That's a waste of time, not to mention the fact that the building that was in is LEGENDARY. Designed by the famous Louis Sullivan. Who wouldn't recognize that wrought iron tracery and grill and associate it with CPS? TERRIBLE! If Carson's doesn't return, I'd be heart-broken. What is happening to Chicago?? :( It's bad enough we've been infiltrated by the Macy's stores popping up everywhere.

[artistmac]

The Loop is going down; the south side has hit bottom. A 20-square-mile area on the south side of the 3rd largest city in America is served by TWO supermarkets. The first of the month brings the checkout lines from hell.

[stonecoldarc]

I lived in Chicago for about 3.5 years from fall 03 to May 07 and noticed all the progress taking place in its real estate. I thought the south side was being restored to its former glory....and where are these two supermarkets? I thought Jewel was all over the place??

[artistmac]

Not with Dorothy Tillman as alderman. Lots of big plans, but nothing got done. Now that Pat Dowell is in, the logjam has been broken. There will be a grocery store at 39th and State. And the 41st Street bridge over the Dan Ryan is being rebuilt, among other projects that are moving forward. What will happen with the Rosenwald? Your guess is as good as mine.

[artistmac]

The two supermarkets are Jewel at 35th and King Drive, and the Hyde Park Co-op (now Treasure Island) at 55th and Lake Park in Hyde Park. They serve an area from Cermak to 63rd St. and Dan Ryan all the way to the lake. Pitiful.

[patricknedz]

who bouht the store or was it demolished?

[artistmac]

The conglomerate that owns Carson's decided to close this particular store; all the others in the Chicago area remain open. The building, a Louis Sullivan-designed landmark, is being renovated (again!) and will be converted into offices and leased. Carson's says it is looking for another downtown location. ("Says" is the operative word.)

[Fab4geek2010]

Carsons on State Street had one of the best and awesome looking Trim A Tree departments around. I would try to make it to Chicago during the holidays to see downtown and check out Carsons. We don't have anything like that here in Gary. You wouldn't know it was Christmas in the city. Chicago always put me in the spirit.

[rivka614]

Carson's on State Street is a Chicago landmark. How is it possible that it's closing? What about the Heather House? Gone are Ward's,Woolworth's,Goldblatt's­,Weibold'ts and S&H stamps. What's next?

[arkema202]

all to familiar here in the D. we lost Crowleys and Wards.

[ljenkin6]

When I went to college in downtown Chicago I liked to browse in this story whenever I gotta change. I didn't even bother when it was announced the store was closing down. Not depressed but certainly sad. :(

[SeeGraeginatorRun]

I heared one in Hammond Indiana is closing