As I sat in the Macy’s Oak Grill (formerly the Dayton’s Oak Grill) sipping my coffee and enjoying a slice of Frango Cheesecake, I tried to fight back the tears. For it would be the last time I’d ever sip coffee in that space as it was. It’s historic wood walls, the beautiful fireplace, the room that had been a place to celebrate, go to power lunches, it would soon be closing it’s doors.
I know that places aren’t people, but some places are just so special. Dayton’s was one of my favorite places to go as a child. We’d have lunch in the Skyroom, shop for school clothes, see the 8th Floor Holiday Display at Christmas where I’d get my annual Santa Bear, and in the spring it was time for the Bachman’s Spring Flower Show. As a child I loved the sound the “fancy lady’s” shoes made as the sauntered around on the wood floors on the first floor, I couldn’t wait to be old enough to get some heels and make that sound while I shopped at Dayton’s.
Fast forward to 2002, I was a “grownup” with my first corporate job at what was then Marshall Field’s Minneapolis. Every morning I’d walk in through the skyway from the IDS, admire the buildings facade, and remind myself I was really working at Dayton’s.
Sadly, the company was sold in 2004, and it was time for me to move on. I thought my beloved Dayton’s would always be there, it was part of my holidays, the place I loved to for something special.
But then the announcement came…Macy’s would close Dayton’s Minneapolis in early 2017. Such sad news. The beautiful department store where I’d gone my entire life for my most important dresses, the places I’d started my career…gone.
So today, January 24, 2017, will be my last salad bar lunch in the Skyroom, and my last cup of coffee at the Oak Grill.
Goodbye my dear friend, I will never forget you and all the special times I’ve had within these walls…
Seeing all of the merchandise was fascinating…I love the iconic fashion of the 1950’s but what really made my heart sing was the Dayton’s shopping bags. If you’re from Minnesota, Dayton’s is the store you went to for special occasions, the Eigth Floor Christmas display and the Bachman’s Spring Flower Show. For me, it’s where I went for special shoes and dresses for everything from First Communion to Graduation. Unfortunately, the stores were purchased by Macy’s…so the legendary department store locations are just shells of what they used to be, but the Suburbia exhibit made me remember all the lovely years and all of my Dayton’s memories…I’d give up all the other department stores in the world to have the Minneapolis Dayton’s back to what it was!
