Renovated Pasadena Macy's Opening This Saturday

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Macy's pre-renovation

The Pasadena Macy's at 401 Lake Avenue is on track to reopen Saturday, November 22 after closing in April for major seismic upgrades and renovations, which are "expected to exceed $15 million." The Pasadena Star-News reports on the 300,000-square-foot historic retail space, originally designed by Wurdeman and Becket Co.: "The hand-painted wallpaper in cosmetics and the wood finishing in the children's department harken back to a different time. Old fireplaces have been unwrapped from walled packaging, brick and tile floors have been restored where possible and classic murals have taken on a new focal point..."

Given the difficult economy, the department store is depending on the community and loyal customers to weather the rocky retail climate. Macy's spokesperson Milinda Martin told the paper: "I think there is a lot of anticipation in Pasadena...There are people who have shopped this building for decades. They don't want to shop anywhere else." Further, "The department store has already sold more than 5,000 tickets for its opening weekend community shopping day—a joint venture with local non-profits who sold the tickets at $10 each," which translates to major discounts for shoppers with proceeds to charities.
· Pasadena Macy's looks to past amid today's economic trials
· Shiny, Seismically-Sound Historic Macy's to Reopen November 22 in Pasadena [Racked]
· Historic Pasadena Macy's Closing for Renovations, "Selling to Bare Walls!"—and Mannequins [Racked]