Marshall Field's Christmas Memories

Marshall Fields and Christmas were practically synonymous. Generations of Chicagoans and out-of-towners made a pilgrimage to the legendary State Street department store to shop for gifts and enjoy Fields marvelous holiday ambiance and superb quality service. This video blends historical images and Christmas music from a bygone era with latter-day clips to recreate a whirlwind tour of the palatial building circa 1945-1955. Stroll down Candy Cane Lane, dine in the Walnut Room next to the Great Tree, and visit Santas Cozy Cloud Cottage.

Fields became Macys in 2006. Macys has continued some of the holiday traditions, but the magic and soul of the old store are now just memories.

Category:

Travel & Events

Tags:

• Marshall Fields
• Macys
• State Street
• Chicago
• Christmas
• holiday decorations
• shopping
• Candy Cane Lane
• Tiffany dome
• escalator
• elevator
• Walnut Room
• Great Tree
• Cozy Cloud Cottage
• Ethel Smith
• Sleigh Ride
• Hammond organ
• Greensleeves

[zeusdvm]

Sadly, this wonderful tribute shows how much we have lost as a society. There was so much magic during the holiday season back in those simpler, gentler, genteel times which can never be recaptured no matter how much hype or aggressive advertising they cram down our throats. We used to marvel at the window displays, gasp at the huge tree, spinning around trying to take in all the wonderful sights and decorations throughout the store, drooling over the toys, but the culmination was meeting Santa!

[Electropickle]

Thanks to everyone who has taken the time to share their thoughts. I've enjoyed reading all of your wonderful comments! If you feel that Macy's ought to restore at least the State Street store as Marshall Field's, you will surely enjoy visiting fieldsfanschicago(dot)org. Happy Holidays!

[rcarmes1941]

piss on Macy's, they have nothing on Field"s as it was up to the mid-70's---it was the finest store---the wonderful picture galleries, the Oriental Artwares, the fine porcelain and antique galleries, the silver rooms, the Walnut Room, foods sold only at Field's, the book floor everything, what a shame it is gone forever!!!!!!!!

[Novelwit2000]

Oh what a wonderful video!!!

I just hate what Macy's had to do--virtually monopolizing everything. When all they really had to do, was do a silent merger and keep things just as they were. I mean, when you look at the brands at Macy's and Bloomies, it's all Charter Club this and INC that!!! Leave well enough alone Macy's. When you bought up everything, you even tarnished your own name. Now it's like who cares about Macy's. It;s not special anymore. Marshall Field's was the best!!!

[dlife2111]

All was lost when Macy's took over......Shame!

Thanks for sharing the lovely memories! <3

[Autismmom614]

@MArsh1208 - Macy's could have left Field's the way it was - They did ruin it for many Chicagoans Field's was a place of memories and it is now gone. There was absolutely nothing wrong with leaving it 1000s no longer shop there. Chicago Downtown is nasty now it is truly Sad

[marsh1208]

Unfortunately, they were victims of the retail times and the need to sell less expensive products at a volume. The public demanded less expensive stuff, and so must suffer the collateral damage that caused.

[marsh1208]

Very few people did. They found better bargains at the discount retailers -- furniture at Wicks, clothing at Marshall's, Wal-Mart or the outlets. You could not expect a Fields to stay in business offering high end merchandise if no one was buying. What we all have is nostalgia for the old days of "white glove" retail and service-oriented stores.

[marsh1208]

I don't think Macy's is at fault for ruining Fields. Macy's bought a distressed business and property that was hemorrhaging money in the 90' and early 2000's. Fields was a victim not of Macy's or "corporate greed," but of the changing retail landscape. Downtown shopping was undone by suburban malls and discount retailers. Be honest, when you went to Fields in the last decade or two of its existence, did you make any major purchases?

[cherylw27]

Thank you so much for this beautiful tribute...it brought tears to my eyes. How wonderful life was back then when we had quality and class. I had the honor to work at the State Street store and it was the most wonderful time of my life. Will never step foot in a Macy's store.

[NWsubmom]

Such wonderful memories. My childhood Christmas was never complete without going to Marshall Fields, seeing the windows, the decorations, smelling the smells, enjoying a wonderful Chicken Pot Pie on REAL silverware at THE WALNUT ROOM. Then going to see Santa Claus. Nothing else like it before or ever again. Ahhhh THOSE WERE the DAYS>

[michele3bt]

Last year the tree was so beautiful! I have gone downtown almost every year since I was a kid in the '70's. I had heard that they did something different this year with the windows - maybe they'll be more traditional next year. The Walnut Room looks the same, and the first floor too. It was fun to see Uncle Mistletoe again in the video!

[NashvilleJaguarLady]

@gearmod Thank you so much, Gearmod. I will be sure to visit next time we are in Chicago!

[gearmod]

@NashvilleJaguarLady Yes, it still there, and if you ever visit Chicago it's worth going to see the architecture and the restored details including a massive Tiffany Favrile glass dome.