Wanamaker's department store, located in Philadelphia, PA is one of the oldest department stores in the United States. The department store was started around the 1870s by John Wanamaker. The current building was built in 1910 to replace Wanamaker's original Grand Depot store (1877). It is now owned by Macy's.
Every year they have a flower show. I'm not sure when this tradition started but it is brilliant. After a long cold snowy winter what better way to lift Philidelphian's spirits than to fill the department store with flowers?
It's the smell that gets you first.
You walk in the second set of doors and the smell of earth, flowers and trees hits you in the face.
It is fantastic!
You look back outside to reassure yourself that you hadn't walked into an alternative universe. Nope, still cold rainy/snowy outside.
Let's take a quick tour through the middle of the store.
Stay in a group.
Okay, ready, set, go...
You look back outside to reassure yourself that you hadn't walked into an alternative universe. Nope, still cold rainy/snowy outside.
Let's take a quick tour through the middle of the store.
Stay in a group.
Okay, ready, set, go...
In the middle section of the store is this large open area that must reach 3 stories. They placed a half dozen or so flowering cherry trees surrounded by flowers of varying types within this courtyard. If you look at the top of the photograph you will see some of the pipes from the giant pipe organ. It is one of the largest pipe organs in the world and graced the St. Louis World's fair in 1904. I almost questioned myself on the date of the St. Louis World's fair but knew in my heart I was right. Knowing stupid facts and minutiae is my burden to bear.
Let's continue our tour
We're walking
We're walking...
Aaanndd...
We stop
Nestled among the cosmetic counters are more groups of flowers surrounding the famous Wanamaker's eagle. I didn't get a picture of it because I'm an idiot but imagine if you will that there is a huge (huge as in, if I were to lie down stretch my arms over my head and point my toes that is about how long it is. Of course, I'd be in mortal danger of being stomped to death by the shoppers or escorted from the building by security if I were to do this so let's use our imaginations) eagle statue in the middle of this grand courtyard. The eagle became the symbol of Wanamaker's and after sometime it became a well known meeting place for residents. Meet me at the eagle only meant one thing in Philly, the Wanamaker's eagle statue.
We stop
Nestled among the cosmetic counters are more groups of flowers surrounding the famous Wanamaker's eagle. I didn't get a picture of it because I'm an idiot but imagine if you will that there is a huge (huge as in, if I were to lie down stretch my arms over my head and point my toes that is about how long it is. Of course, I'd be in mortal danger of being stomped to death by the shoppers or escorted from the building by security if I were to do this so let's use our imaginations) eagle statue in the middle of this grand courtyard. The eagle became the symbol of Wanamaker's and after sometime it became a well known meeting place for residents. Meet me at the eagle only meant one thing in Philly, the Wanamaker's eagle statue.
We're still walking
Aaaannnnd
Let's stop
Isn't it pretty the way the spikiness of the lavender looks against the puffy cloud-likeness of the hydrangea?
And, the cascading English ivy?
Check it out.
All lazily falling down amongst the hydrangea. Like it knew that that would show it off to the best affect.
The flower designer was good.
Very very good.
Let's continue on.
We're walking...
We're dodging shoppers...
Aanndd...
Stop.
The cosmetics counters run in a square shape around a center display island. Perched on the center of the island are these wonderful fountains of flowers. Everywhere you look there are flowers. If you are not into the flowers, check out the fantastic architecture. Columns, arches, and flourishes wherever the eye lands.
Thank you Ladies and Gentlemen for taking our abbreviated tour of the Wanamaker's/Macy's department store. It has been our pleasure to introduce spring back into your lives even if it is not yet in your neighborhood.
Any questions?
Love,
M
P.S.: Go play Dungeon Blitz. Becky's husband and his business partner wrote it. They are all geeky like that.
