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Macy's turns 150 today

October 28, 2008

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New York—Famous department store and retail pioneer Macy's is celebrating its 150th birthday today.

Among the sesquicentennial celebration activities, Macy's is renaming 34th Street in New York City—the address of its Herald Square flagship—to R.H. Macy Way in honor of the brand's founder. The ceremonial unveiling of the street sign will take place the morning of Oct. 28. The temporary sign will be on view until Nov. 15.

That evening, Macy's will host a fashion industry gala at Gotham Hall in New York City, with guests including Kenneth Cole, Sean "Diddy" Combs, Todd English, Tyler Florence, Tommy Hilfiger, Clinton Kelly, Eva Mendes, Jessica Simpson, Martha Stewart and Ming Tsai.

The event will culminate with a special birthday cake designed by Duff from Ace of Cakes, followed by a fireworks finale off the roof of the retailer's famous New York City landmark store.

Also, in honor of the milestone, the Empire State Building (Macy's neighbor on 34th Street) will be lit red.

"It's amazing to consider that Macy's was doing business before many great brands such as General Electric, Coca Cola and Ford Motor Co. were even born," Macy Chairman, President and Chief Executive Officer Terry J. Lundgren said in a media release. "Macy's is responsible for American mainstays such as the in-store Santa Claus and the Idaho baked potato, as well as popularizing the one-price-system and bringing ready-to-wear to the masses. By turning 150, Macy's joins the ranks of a very exclusive club of iconic brands. The longevity of the Macy's brand, its place in American culture and its legacy of serving customers for five generations are extraordinary."

Started by Nantucket, Mass.-born R.H. Macy as a fancy dry-goods store on 14th Street and Sixth Avenue in New York City, Macy's is the American dream realized. Today, the retailer has more than 800 stores across the country that are closely integrated with a thriving online business.

Throughout its history, Macy's has paved roads in both fashion and retail, including pioneering the concept of private brands for fashion goods and being the first retailer to promote a woman to an executive position.

The company also has impacted American pop culture with countless movie and TV show cameos and world-famous events such as the Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade and Macy's 4th of July Fireworks.
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