Marshall Field and Company had everything. Unfortunately, after 152 years, the store as we knew it here in Chicago officially disappeared in September of 2006. Despite protests, extensive media attention, and threatened boycotts of the replacement store, Field’s as we knew it ceased to exist. By the early 1900’s, Field’s had become the largest wholesale and retail dry goods establishment in the world. Field’s was the first store to offer a bridal registry, dining facilities, personal shopping assistants, and even escalators. The Walnut Room was legendary. I don’t think there is anyone in Chicago who had not dined there at one time or another in their lifetime. The window displays at Christmas were a sight to behold. I was mesmerized by them when I was a child, and then the fascination continued with my own children. I miss everything about Field’s – but I do have one of their cookbooks from 1995.
“With Warmest Regards” contains recipes from the employees of Marshall Field and Company. All of the net profits from the sale of the book were donated to local United Way agencies. All of the recipes are family favorites, some generations old. You will find Grandma’s Nat’s Caramels, Aunt Gail’s Brownies, Great Aunt Mary’s Nut Rolls, Aunt Grace’s Hoosier Coffee Cake, G.G.’s (Great-Grandma’s) Chocolate Chip Cake, Mimi’s Plum Kuchen, Aunt Grace’s Pot Roast, and Jim’s Spicy Cajun Red Bean Soup. It’s a charming cookbook filled with easy-to-make family favorites.
Marshall Field, who died in 1906, always stood behind his products and had the best famous slogan: “Give the lady what she wants.” Too bad we can’t just have our old Field’s back. (And I don’t care what they say; those Frango Mints they make now do NOT taste the same!)
As the holiday season quickly approaches, I continue to be saddened by the absence of Marshall Fields. I was a devoted employee for Marshall Fields for 10 years. After the Macys acquisition, the loss of the Culinary Cellar, Marketplace, the original Frangos, and Select Personal Shopping was too much to bear.
I would never love the store from New York that robbed our city of its shopping legacy with Marshall Fields.
It must really be hard for you as a former employee of Field’s. I wrote this blog 2-1/2 years ago, and when I tell my husband that I am going shopping, he will ask where, and I still say Field’s. Funny that you wrote today, because this morning as I was cleaning out my desk, I found my old green Field’s credit card that I had since the ’70’s. I just couldn’t bear to throw it out. I also have some old Christmas shopping bags in the basement!