Turncoat

I admit it. I am a Chicago local. And I shopped at Macy's. Just draw and quarter me now.

For those of you who don't live in Chicago and read the Chicago Tribune editorial page -- Marshall Fields, the beloved department store -- has been owned for years by Macy's, but the name had stayed Marshall Fields. That all changed about two weeks. The plaques on the store in the Loop -- the historic one with the Tiffany ceiling -- are still up bearing the Marshall Fields name, but all signage, bags, etc. say Macy's. When the name change was announced last fall, people were up in arms about it. Many vowed to never shop there again. Of course, the only thing that was changing was the name. The products, employees, and everything stayed exactly the same. People just didn't want to become "like New York" with the big Macy's stores. It was tradition. I admit, even as someone who has little patience for tradition for the sake of tradition, that it was sad to see the change happen. It's always been fun to take people to this uniquely Chicago place -- to see the ceiling or eat at the Walnut Room.

But today I shopped there. I needed socks; so sue me. Based on the number Macy's bags I'm seeing around, I have to think I'm not the only one.