Pasadena Macy’s ready to unveil its new look
After closing in the spring for major renovations, the Macy’s store on South Lake Avenue in Pasadena will reopen this weekend with an updated look.
The store, which underwent significant seismic upgrades and interior remodeling, first opened in 1947 as a Bullocks department store. With much of its original architecture still intact, the building has become a historic gem to many Pasadena residents.
“There are certain aspects of the store that are very important to the Pasadena heritage,” said Lauren Foremsky, a Macy’s special events coordinator, “so we really took a lot of consideration into keeping those aspects visible.”
Features of the remodeled store include new vendors, a 7,700-square-foot shoe salon and new locations for some departments. Architects also exposed two old fireplaces that had been covered by walls for years.
Macy’s West Chairman Jeff Gennette and Pasadena Mayor Bill Bogaard are scheduled to attend a ribbon-cutting ceremony today that will include live entertainment, refreshments and prize giveaways. The invitation-only celebration begins at 4 p.m.
On Saturday, the store will open to the general public at 10 a.m. and host a community shopping day event to raise money for local nonprofit organizations. And for kids, Santa Claus will be there to sit for complimentary photos.
70% off causes Saks commotion
It was a madhouse Thursday at the Saks Fifth Avenue in Beverly Hills, which began a sale with discounts of as much as 70%. Hundreds of women jammed the store.
“Everything, like even the new designs, is on sale,” said one sales associate. “I recommend coming down.”
Actually, not everything in the store was on sale, even though it seemed like it. Discounted merchandise included Christian Louboutin heels and Marc Jacobs handbags.
After hearing about the sale from her husband’s co-worker, Sam Kadkhoda, 29, rushed to Saks -- where she finally got in the door after it took an hour to find parking.
Kadkhoda, a pharmacist from West Los Angeles, said she planned to spend about $2,000 on a couple of handbags and a wallet.
“I wouldn’t have bought it if it weren’t on sale,” she said. “I can’t afford it otherwise.”
No reason for why the store is doing this, but chances are the miserable economic situation is to thank. Sales associates said such heavy discounts are typically saved for Black Friday. The sale continues through Tuesday.
--
Gift cards still No. 1, but fading
Gift cards are once again the most-requested holiday present, but sales of holiday gift cards are expected to fall 5.3% to $24.9 billion this year, the National Retail Federation said this week.
The trade group also said that a smaller proportion of gift shoppers planned to purchase gift cards (53.5% this year, compared with 56.6% last year) and will spend less money on them (an average of $147.33 this year, compared with $156.24 last year).
So what’s going on? With the economy continuing to falter, cash-strapped shoppers are taking advantage of the hefty discounts that many retailers -- from luxury chains to discounters -- are offering on merchandise.
“Since gift cards never go on sale, some price-conscious shoppers will be passing up gift cards in favor of holiday bargains,” said Tracy Mullin, chief executive of the National Retail Federation.
In other words, instead of that $25 JCPenney gift card that Aunt Nancy was going to give you, she’s buying you the sweater that’s on sale for $15.
-- Andrea Chang
--
For more holiday shopping news and tips, visit latimes.com/shop.
