The Macy’s store on Market St in Philadelphia, home to the world’s largest pipe organ, is set to close, the company announced Thursday.
Macy’s confirmed in a statement that 66 of its locations will be closing, including the store home to the historic organ. The closures come as the company is attempting to return “to sustainable, profitable sales growth.”
The Wanamaker building was finished in 1911 and became the first department store in the city, according to 6abc. The Historical Commission provides protection for the organ and eagle statue inside the building. While they are protected, that does not ensure that the organ will remain on-site indefinitely, according to The Philadelphia Inquirer. Instead, the protection means removal or changes require approval.
BREAKING: Macy’s Center City store in Philadelphia’s historic Wanamaker building is one of the 65 Macy’s stores closing. The Philadelphia store is 400,000 square feet & right across the street from Philadelphia City Hall. The Philly store is closing in March. pic.twitter.com/VUQRf0AUlh
— Steve Keeley (@KeeleyFox29) January 9, 2025
The Wanamaker Grand Court Organ is an artifact from the 1904 St. Louis World’s Fair, the Inquirer reported. The instrument is woven into the store, extending into several floors.
The iconic daily concerts at the store will be performed until the middle of March, Ray Biswanger, executive director of the Friends of the Wanamaker Organ, said.
PHILADELPHIA, PA – DECEMBER 23: Fred R. Haas, Assistant Court Organist performs during the behind the scenes of The Christmas Tree Light Show at Macy’s Center City on December 23, 2013 in Philadelphia City. (Photo by Gilbert Carrasquillo/Getty Images)
“It’s a sad day for Philadelphia, but again, it’s also an opportunity for us to reimagine our place as a top-notch city in this great country,” Councilmember Mark Squilla said in a press conference Thursday.
“This may not be the kind of news we like to hear in our city. This is far from the death of Market Street,” Director of Commerce for the city of Philadelphia Alba Martinez said. “In fact, we are in the midst of a revival and rebirth of East Market Street and Philadelphia’s historic first commercial quarter.”
Martinez said the building has “enormous potential for the future” with many possibilities for what could take Macy’s place.
A member of the media pointed out that a stabbing incident had occurred at the closing location. (RELATED: San Francisco’s Macy’s Will Shut Down As Employees Blame Retail Theft)
“That’s a fact,” Councilmember Curtis Jones said. “And again, this doesn’t happen in a vacuum by itself. There are a lot of contributing factors.”
Tyrone Tunnell, 31, pleaded guilty to murder and additional charges in December, NBC 10 previously reported. In December 2023, security at the Macy’s location stopped him for attempting to steal hats. Tunnell exited the business after an altercation, then returned roughly 15 minutes later and fatally stabbed one of the guards in the neck.