I don't have problems with them tooting their own horn. Lord knows, New Yorkers and Bostonians do taht all the time.

Rather, I have a problem with people from other citeis tooting thier own horn and then dissing other cities in the same breath. I find this to be the case alot with West Coasters and Atlantians. They love putting down others. I agree with Bensalem in that part of this is probably because tehy need some justification as to why their own city is so great (I especially see this with Atlanta - a city for which the only redeeming value is the airport).

The other place where I see this going on alot is DC. Its not the DC natives (there are comparatively few) but rather the transplants. Many seem to go there from places in the Midwest and, once there, have the attitude that they've "made it" and assume that anyone who is not in DC are people who haven't made it (they give repreieve to people in NYC, SF, and LA since they consider those to be "made it" cities as well).

Midwesteners have a funny trait of either fleeing their homes or defending it with their lives. It's Iowans who are the rude NYers, bot NYers.

Amen. About those BYO's, though: I shall love them that much more when Philly (PA) shed's its puritanical blue laws and decent wine retail warms the city at last. We're simply hard-pressed to find anything at all good and at the PLCB stores, Moore Bro's is a trek, and what few restaurants stock great wines will charge a king's ransom for the priviledge of drinking them. Philly's meager wine scene is yet another little shortcoming that combines with others to give the impression that we're just not as alive or vital as other urban cities. I, for one, would appreciate the luxury of bringing to the tables of my favorite BYO's something that is truly worthy of the company it keeps.

I know this topic was dealt with ad nauseum probably earlier in the year, but was it ever decided what is going into the old Strawbridge's building down on Market? I know Lord & Taylor is being replaced by Macys.

I'm excited about the Loehmann's opening soon on Chestnut and the new H&M on Walnut. The renovations on the one on Chestnut turned out great and the store is packed everytime I'm in there. I know H&M is not a high-end retailer but I think it's encouraging nonetheless.

I read on another post that Club Monaco is coming along but any idea about BCBG? It seems like very little progress has been made (at least to the outside observer) since the red awnings went up a few weeks ago.

And does anyone know how Bo Concept and West Elm are doing? Every time I pass Bo Concept, it looks deserted.

To date there are no announced plans, or even positive rumors.

Lord & Taylor though is a solid go. There are signs on the Wannamaker building excusing the closure while a refit of the existing floorplan ensues, with an expected reopening of the ground floor of Wanamaker's as a Macy*s in August.

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You can never have enough check cashing, wig shops, nail salons, hair braiding, cell phone, gold plated jewelry and sneaker stores in Philadelphia!!!

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All three floors will be open as part of Macy's...it is supposed to be full-line location. Incidentally, having just the ground floor open would be another insult on top of having just one downtown anchor store.

There's a Loehmann's open now, btw.

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Resident of Fishtown, Moderator of Fish/No. Libs/Kenzo forum, Real Estate Agent-Prudential Fox & Roach

Where?

Not that I'd shop there, unless they've added a men's section.

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Sandy Smith, Exile on Market Street, Philadelphia
“Basically I figure guns are like gays: They seem a lot more sinister and threatening until you get to know a few; and once you have one in the house, you can get downright defensive about them.” --Theresa Neilson Hayden

1528 Chestnut Street... the old Today's Man store

I walked by there (the Loehmann's) earlier this week and it was still not open. Have you been in?