Ep. 9: Department Stores

Department stores are in many ways the ultimate third place. You can use them to meet up with friends, to avoid the elements, to get a bite to eat, to look at interesting displays, to get advice on your wardrobe, and to buy a wide variety of consumer products. So why are they declining and what can be done about it? This week Joseph and Nathan begin by talking about the early history of department stores (with particularly sharp focus on Chicago) before talking about their personal experiences in department stores. Amongst other things they discuss The Crystal Palace, Goth Target, Richard Nickel, the connection between department stores and the death of the flaneur, and Chicago’s North Lawndale community area. 

 

Links:

On the Birth of the Flaneuse by the Flaneuse Project
IT’SUGAR
The Robinson-Patman Act
Levy’s in Nashville, TN
The Department Store is Dead by Lovewhatyousell
Glitching through the matrix at the State Street Macy’s by its.murt

 

Recorded on 1/27/2024