The Macy’s store on Philadelphia’s Market Street, home to the world’s largest pipe organ, will close, the company announced Thursday.
Macy’s approved statement Sixty-six stores, including the historic organ home, will close. The closures come as the company looks to return to “sustainable and profitable sales growth.”
The Center City Philadelphia store was completed in 1911 and was the city’s first department store. According to 6abc. The Historical Commission protects the building’s organ and eagle statue. Although the organs are protected, they may not remain in place forever. According to Philadelphia Inquirer. Instead, protection means that deletion or modification requires approval.
BREAKING: Macy’s Center City store in Philadelphia’s historic Wanamaker Building is one of 65 Macy’s stores to close. The Philadelphia store is 400,000 square feet and is located across from Philadelphia City Hall. The Philadelphia store will close in March. pic.twitter.com/VUQRf0AUlh
— Steve Keeley (@KeeleyFox29) January 9, 2025
The Wanamaker Grand Court Organ was an artifact from the 1904 St. Louis World’s Fair, the Inquirer reported. The instruments are built into the store and spread out over multiple floors.
The store’s iconic daily concerts will continue through mid-March, said Ray Biswanger, executive director of the Friends of Wanamaker Organ.
PHILADELPHIA, PA – DECEMBER 23: Assistant Court Organist Fred R. Haas performs backstage during the Christmas Tree Light Show at Macy’s Center City on December 23, 2013 in Philadelphia. . (Photo by Gilbert Carrasquillo/Getty Images)
“It’s a sad day for Philadelphia, but once again, it’s also an opportunity to reconsider our position as a premier city in this great nation,” said City Councilman Mark Squilla. said at a press conference Thursday.
“This may be the kind of news that we don’t want to hear in our city. Market Street is far from disappearing,” said Alba Martinez, Philadelphia’s director of commerce. “In fact, we are in the midst of a revival and revitalization of East Market Street and Philadelphia’s historic First Business District.”
Martinez said the building has “huge potential for the future” and has a lot of potential as an alternative to Macy’s.
Reporters said the stabbing occurred at the store’s closing location. (Related article: Macy’s in San Francisco closes after employees accuse retail store of theft)
“That’s true,” City Councilman Curtis Jones said. “Again, this doesn’t happen in isolation. There are many contributing factors.”
Tyrone Tannell, 31, pleaded guilty to murder and additional charges in December, previously reported on NBC 10 reported. In December 2023, a security guard at a Macy’s store stopped him for trying to steal a hat. Tanel backed away from the altercation, but returned about 15 minutes later and fatally stabbed one of the guards in the neck.
