HOUSTON – It was bittersweet for downtown shoppers Saturday morning as diehard Macy's fans were at the door, ready to take advantage of sales on its very last day.
The downtown icon on Main Street is closing its doors and offering customers significant farewell sales.
Rachel Jones and her friend, Margie Rodriguez, just had to come to the final day. They have fond memories of the former Foley's store.
"Oh, this is the last time in going to walk through these doors," said Jones.
"I used to come here every Saturday with my parents and by myself as teenager, then go to the Lowes," said Rodriguez. "We'd meet people here and go to the theater. It was so nice."
After 66 years in business, the store is now, practically empty. Bare fixtures with no inventory, but the shoppers were eager to get in.
"I'm looking for mink coats and purses," said Joyce White.
Luckily for White, a few fur coats were still hanging on the racks.
"This used to be the it place to be when you wanted to buy something," White said.
For years, this was Houston's largest department store. While the stories were being told, the focus returned to shopping.
"It's sad to see it go, but I'm happy for the sales," one customer said.
Rugs were selling for 75 percent off. Shopper Kelly Anderson drove two and a half hours from Nacogdoches to purchase them.
Other shoppers stopped by without a specific purchase in mind.
"There's really nothing left, just store fixtures and rugs," said Phillip Newsum.
Newsum is right if a shopper is scouring the men's department. The same can't be said about women's clothing. A selection is 70 to 80 percent off, and shoes are 90 percent off, to boot.
A fair amount of former employees who care more about the memories than markdowns also visited. The space is rich with history, having opened in 1947 as Foley's.
"I can remember coming here as a child at Christmastime to see the windows," said Pam Reed. "They were always decorated with animated characters. I have fond memories, so it will be sad."
Macy's took over the building in 2000. The owner plans to demolish the building to make way for a new retail development.