PHILADELPHIA (WPVI) — Macy’s department store in Center City Philadelphia will permanently close its doors, the company announced Thursday afternoon.

Located in the historic Wanamaker Building at 1300 Market Street, the store is one of 66 stores nationwide. Also on the list of closures is the Macy’s at the Exton Square Mall in Chester County.

Macy’s said in a news release that the closures were part of its “Bold New Chapter” strategy, which aims to “return the company to sustainable, profitable sales growth.”

The plan, announced in February 2024, calls for the closure of a total of 150 stores over a period of three years.

The company said it will eventually open 350 stores.

In a statement, Macy’s chairman and CEO said the closures would allow the company to focus on its remaining locations.

Completed in 1911, the iconic Wanamaker Building was the first department store in Philadelphia and home to the historic organ. Many visited the department store during the holidays to see the Christmas light show and Dickens Village.

“It is a sad day for Philadelphia, but also an opportunity for us to redefine our place as a premier city in this great country,” said City Council Member Mark Squilla.

Whatever the building’s future holds, the organ and eagle statue are under the protection of the city’s Historical Commission. City leaders say historic assets will be incorporated into a reuse plan.

In a news conference, city officials admitted the news was disappointing.

“This is sad news for many Philadelphians. Macy’s, and before it Wanamaker’s, were more than just a department store. “It has been a beloved part of our city’s cultural fabric and home to treasured traditions such as family trips to the Christmas light show, etc. Hear the majesty of the Wanamaker pipe organ,” said Alba Martinez, Commerce Director for the City of Philadelphia.

However, Martinez said the closure is not an end, but rather a new beginning for the Wanamaker building and for Market East.

She said the city envisions a mix of possible uses for the Wanamaker building, including retail, dining, residential, cultural attractions and more.

The closure comes as the Sixers prepare to break ground on their new arena down the street.

“We’re going to think hard about how we can leverage this special transformative, one-time investment from the Sixers across the entire corridor, and the Wanamaker Building would be a part of that,” Planning and Development Director Jesse Lawrence said.

During the press conference, local leaders said crime was not a factor in the closure of this Macy’s. But they emphasized that creating a safe environment here and throughout the city is Mayor Cherelle Parker’s top priority.
The company released a list of store closures on Thursday.

Resources are available to assist employees affected by the store closure, and the city says it stands ready to assist with job placement. For more information, visit: pacareerlink.pa.gov/jponline/

The company released a list of store closures on Thursday.

The newly announced closures are:

1. Superstition Springs Center | AZ

2. Broadway Plaza | APPROX

3. Hillsdale Furniture | APPROX

4. Sunrise Mall | APPROX

5. Westminster Mall | APPROX

6. NewPark Mall | APPROX

7. Mission Valley Home | APPROX

8. Otay Ranch Town Center | APPROX

9. Village in Corte Madera | APPROX

10. Downtown Plaza | APPROX

11. Northfield Stapleton | CO

12. Boynton Beach Mall | FL

13. Ft Lauderdale Furniture | FL

14. Pembroke Furniture | FL

15. South Dade Furniture | FL

16. West Shore Plaza | FL

17. Altamonte Furniture | FL

18. Southgate | FL

19. Gwinnett Furniture | GA

20. Gwinnett Place GA

21. Johns Creek Downtown | GA

22. Silver Lake Mall | ID

23. White Oaks Mall | IL

24. Acadiana Mall | LA

25. Independence Mall | M.A

26. Safety Square | M.D

27. Harford Malle | M.D

28. Grand Traverse Mall | WED

29. Lakeside Malle | WED

30. Oakland Mall | WED

31. Genesee Valley Center | WED

32. Maplewood Mall | MN

33. Burnsville Center | MN

34. Metro North Mall | MO

35. South County Mall | MO

36. Essex Green | Mall | NJ

37. Success at the lake | new York

38. Melville Mallf | new York

39. Queens Place | new York

40. Sheepshead Bay | new York

41. Mall at Greek Ridge | new York

42. Sunrise Mall | new York

43. Brooklyn | new York

44. Staten Island Furniture | new York

45. Fordham Place | new York

46. ​​Fairfield Commons | OH

47. Franklin Park | OH

48. Streets of Tanasbourne | OR

49. Salem Center | OR

50. Logan Valley Mall | P.A

51. Exton Square Mall | P.A

52. Philadelphia Center City | P.A

53. Wyoming Valley Mall | P.A

54. Eichenhof | TN

55. Almeda Mall | TX

56. Fairview | TX

57. Shops in Willow Bend | TX

58. Southlake Town Square | TX

59. West Bend | TX

60. Highlands of Flower Hill | TX

61. Southpark Mall | VA

62. South Hill Mall | WA

63. Redmond Furniture | WA

64. Kitsap Mall | WA

The previously announced closures are:

65th Streets at Southglenn Furniture | CO

66. Boca Raton Furniture | FL