85 Years on Metropolitan Avenue: Celebrating Macy's Parkchester

Did you know the Macy's in Parkchester was the company's very first branch store outside of Herald Square? Right here on Metropolitan Avenue in The Bronx.

The doors opened in October 1941, in the middle of a brand new planned community, with an opening day ad that simply read "It Opens Today!" Old photos show rows of baby carriages parked outside. Eighty-five years later, it's a little smaller, but it's still there, and still open.

Parkchester, 1941. Archival photos.

On Saturday, October 10, Macy's Parkchester marked its 85th anniversary with a morning of giveaways, a DJ, a raffle, gift cards for the first 85 customers, and a Macy's photographer capturing it all. From The Bronx was proud to be part of the celebration. We brought our big BRONX POW! backdrop for photos and handed out our "Did You Know" postcards and buttons to shoppers all morning.

The Bronx, next to the At Your Service counter. Morning setup, before the crowds.

Hard to miss from anywhere on the floor.

Ask anyone who grew up in the East Bronx and you'll get a Macy's memory. First job. Back to school shopping. Santa photos. A prom dress. The store's been a landmark for generations of Parkchester families, and in a retail era when stores like it have closed all over the country, this one's still serving the neighborhood that grew up around it.

Thank you to the Macy's Parkchester team for inviting us, and to everyone who stopped for a photo and a postcard. What's your Macy's memory? Tell us on Instagram.

From The Bronx to The World!!