‘End of an era’ in Philly retail | Morning Newsletter
🦅 And a 102-year-old Eagles fan.
The Morning Newsletter
Start your day with the Philly news you need and the stories you want all in one easy-to-read newsletter
Welcome to Friday, Philly.
The big story is the pending closure of the Center City Macy’s, located in the iconic Wanamaker Building on East Market. Employees, shoppers, and visitors of the store’s beloved holiday displays were left reeling from the news yesterday, even as some said it wasn’t completely unexpected.
And Eagles fans are pumped and ready for Sunday’s first-round playoff game at home against the Green Bay Packers — perhaps no one more than Eloise Brown, a 102-year-old fan who doesn’t miss a snap.
— Julie Zeglen (morningnewsletter@inquirer.com)
P.S. Friday means new games! Our latest news quiz includes questions on Girl Scout cookies, TouchTunes hits, and more.
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Macy’s will close its Center City location in the historic Wanamaker Building in March, the company announced Thursday afternoon, as part of a wave of 66 store closures across the country.
The future of Market East: The corridor was already the focus of a fierce civic debate over the approval of a proposed arena for the Sixers. City officials called the pending closure an opportunity to continue Market Street revitalization efforts.
“Meet me at the eagle”: The building’s interior, including the iconic golden eagle and organ, will be preserved, thanks to rare protections from the city historical commission. But that doesn’t mean the organ is guaranteed to stay there forever. The fates of the Christmas light show and Dickens’ Village, both beloved holiday traditions, are also unclear.
Looking back at history: See The Inquirer’s photo gallery of the Wanamaker Building through the decades.
When the Birds take the field at the Linc this Sunday, you can bet Eloise Brown will be watching.
🦅 Still cheering: The great-great North Philly grandmother was born before the Eagles existed and has been a fan since the 1960s, watching every game with a football-shaped stress ball in hand. She even got on the field recently to meet the team’s players and coach. And she predicts a first-round win: “I’m gonna be happy Sunday.”
🦅 Veteran agitator: Another die-hard fan? Sign Man, a.k.a. John Rodio, is a South Jersey landscaper who for 16 years spared (almost) no one in his blunt thoughts about his favorite team. Now he focuses his game-day energy on a tailgate menu for 40 people.
🦅 No Angry Birds here: If you feel compelled to watch the game but aren’t a big football fan, play our Eagles Bingo instead. (Mark a space if Quinta Brunson comes on screen, say.) And Birdle, our twist on another popular word game, is back in honor of the Birds’ playoffs run. Can you guess the Eagles-related word of the day?
What you should know today
In their first court appearance, the two men charged in a fatal Lower Merion home invasion last month said the crime was a burglary gone awry, but neither one would admit to firing the shots that killed a man and wounded his mother.
Minors held in detention awaiting juvenile court proceedings in Philadelphia are routinely locked in their rooms for days on end in violation of state laws, an investigation found.
Controversial Philadelphia landlord Philip Pulley was sentenced Thursday to probation and community service for casting ballots in several counties in two federal elections.
Sen. John Fetterman will be the first sitting Democratic senator to meet with President-elect Donald Trump at his Mar-a-Lago residence, the culmination of the Pennsylvania lawmaker’s sustained public openness to work with Republicans.
Montgomery County is expanding its efforts to protect immigrants, regardless of status, as fears mount over Trump’s threat of mass deportation.
A task force in Kensington is charged with extinguishing fires that keep people experiencing homelessness warm. Residents are welcoming the new effort, but those who set the fires say the practice is cruel.
Real estate mogul Allan Domb has submitted a bid to buy one of the former University of the Arts’ buildings for $6.5 million. The Art Alliance is one of nine former UArts buildings up for sale through bankruptcy court.
A cargo ship became stuck in the Delaware River on Wednesday night while hauling salt, the U.S. Coast Guard said. Dislodging efforts were still ongoing as of late Thursday.
A Philadelphia woman’s son committed murder and ruined lives. Now she’s won an award for helping families rebuild theirs.
Welcome back to Curious Philly Friday. We’ll feature both new and timeless stories from our forum for readers to ask about the city’s quirks.
This week, reporter Michelle Myers has the story on who pays for SEPTA Senior cards, which bring free transit rides to those 65 and older, as well as why the card makes a different sound when swiped at a turnstile.
The funding for those passes comes not from the state, but from the Pennsylvania Lottery. (You know the tagline — “benefits older Pennsylvanians.”) And yes, the swipe’s “specific warble” is intentional, according to a SEPTA spokesperson. Here’s the full explanation.
Have your own burning question about Philadelphia, its local oddities, or how the region works? Submit it here and you might find the answer featured in this space.
🧠 Trivia time
As North Wildwood faces environmental challenges, Wildwood and Wildwood Crest don’t want to share what with their neighbor?
A) Their beach tag profits
B) Their sand
C) Their lifeguards
D) Their name
Think you know? Check your answer.
What we’re...
👮 Remembering: When a Marine was brought in to clean up Philly corruption during Prohibition.
😂 Laughing at: The best stand-up comedy coming to Philadelphia in 2025.
🕳️ Learning: What causes sinkholes after one in North Philly opened in the middle of the street, damaging a SEPTA bus.
🗑️ Considering: Whether the city’s twice-a-week trash pickup pilot will solve its garbage problems.
🧩 Unscramble the anagram
Hint: The Philly band that is now “Jason Kelce on ESPN” famous
AMEN TICKS
Email us if you know the answer. We’ll select a reader at random to shout out here. Cheers to Raymond Buecker, who solved Thursday’s anagram: Roosevelt Boulevard. PennDot, SEPTA and the city’s Office of Transportation and Infrastructure Systems are working together to plot the future of the dangerous roadway. Neighbors say they want safety over speed.
P.S. It really is that bad: A new report says the Philadelphia region had the nation’s fifth-worst traffic congestion last year.
Photo of the day
🏠 One last honorable thing: Mayor Cherelle L. Parker and Councilmember Jamie Gauthier joined Habitat for Humanity Philadelphia Thursday to honor the life and legacy of former President Jimmy Carter. In 1988, the nonprofit hosted the Carter Work Project to build five homes on West Wilt Street.
Thanks for ending your week with The Inquirer. Stay warm this weekend!
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