Tulsa's Foley's stores to become Macy's stores

Attention shoppers! Macy's is coming to Tulsa. <br/><br/>The parent company of the venerable retailer bought out the Foley's chain last month and they'll begin converting stores around this

Tuesday, August 2nd 2005, 10:28 am

By: News On 6

Attention shoppers! Macy's is coming to Tulsa.

The parent company of the venerable retailer bought out the Foley's chain last month and they'll begin converting stores around this time next year.

As News on 6 business reporter Steve Berg tells us, that includes two stores in Tulsa.

Betty Callison and her 3 sisters know shopping; they go at least 2 or 3 times a week. And like a lot of shoppers, she's excited about the prospect of the first-ever Macy's in Tulsa. "I like the idea of a Macy's to bring something new rather than. I mean I like Foley's, but I like the idea of having a new department store to shop at." She'll have to wait a little bit.

Macy's says nothing will change this year. They'll start phasing in some new items sometime next year. And then they'll change the sign from Foley's to Macy's, around Thanksgiving naturally enough. They say shoppers can expect a Macy's merchandise assortment, as well as brands that are exclusive to Macy's. Betty's sister Shirley though says she will miss the Foley's stores. "I like Foleyâ€™s; I've shopped out here for 30 years or however long they've been in business out here."

Macy's is generally considered a little more upscale and a little further ahead of the fashion trends than Foley's. Macy's has always had name recognition, but this merger will broaden their geographical reach and give them a true national presence. It will also give them more leverage when bargaining with vendors and mall owners. Even Shirley was beginning to sway a little. "It'll be something new, we can always come shop and try it and see if we like it and if we don't, we don't have to shop there.â€

There's more in "store" for the new Macy's. They say there will be physical improvements to the interiors, but that will take a little longer than the name change and the merchandise change.