Cd'A Macy's not on list of closures; fans glad

COEUR d’ALENE — Michelle Hogan had just finished shopping at Macy’s at the Silver Lake Mall on a slushy, snowy Wednesday.

Inside the plastic bag she carried with the famous red star and name of the retailer were pillows.

The Coeur d’Alene woman didn’t even go there with the intent to buy anything, but was passing through on her way to another store inside the mall.

She couldn’t resist the sale price.

“You can always count on Macy’s,” she said.

At one time, Hogan considered herself a frequent Macy’s shopper. Now, it’s more occasional.

Still, she’s a fan of the iconic store. The recent news that Macy’s plans to close about 125 of its least productive stores over the next three years, including approximately 30 stores that are in the process of closure, was disappointing.

“I hope our Macy’s never closes,” she said.

Macy’s, Inc. is streamlining its organization with a net reduction in its corporate and support function headcount of 9%, or approximately 2,000 positions, according to a press release.

Macy’s also announced an updated strategy and three-year plan designed to stabilize profitability and position the company for growth.

In Idaho, the Lewiston Macy’s, which has been around 42 years, is scheduled to be closed.

As it stands, Coeur d’Alene’s Macy’s is not on the list of stores set to close and it will remain an anchor at the Silver Lake Mall, as it has for decades.

The number of employees at the store was not available Wednesday. Macy’s management at the Silver Lake Mall could not be reached for comment.

But business was solid on a cold, wet afternoon. Customers were looking over racks of clothes, reviewing bedding and checking out jewelry. Employees were quick to offer help.

One woman looked around as she entered the store.

“It’s beautiful, as always,” she said.

Despite the weather, Sandra Chapman and Linda Safrit made the drive from St. Maries to do some shopping at the mall after taking care of some business errands.

Both are longtime fans of Macy’s, particularly the high-end makeup and perfumes it carries.

“The perfumes, you can’t find that anywhere else in the mall,” Chapman said. “If I need to buy a certain makeup, they will do my makeup, and then I’ll buy something, like the eyeliner.

“It’s so worth going into Macy’s for that, because you don’t have that anywhere else,” she added.

Safrit agreed and said she loves the cosmetics section.

“It’s the best,” she said.

Both were a little worried for the Coeur d’Alene site after hearing Macy’s plans to close 125 stores.

“It would be disappointing, that’s for sure,” Chapman said.

But, they also said they are aware of the challenges retailers are facing.

“It’s just sad,” Chapman said, “because it’s a wonderful store. It really is a wonderful store.”