PITTSBURGH -- After more than 100 years in business, the downtown Kaufmann's department store is no more.

A block party with live music, fashion modeling and food was thrown on Smithfield Street on Friday afternoon to celebrate the change from Kaufmann's to Macy's.

The remaining Kaufmann's locations in suburban areas will follow suit by switching over to the Macy's name on Saturday.

Meanwhile, former Kaufmann's stores at Monroeville Mall and South Hills Village are now Boscov's.

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YOUR THOUGHTS:
Please e-mail your comments to newsroom@thepittsburghchannel.com.

Here is what you are saying so far:

Pittsburghers call it pride I call it stubborn. Keeping the old may not be the best for the future although we all love to keep our memories alive it’s time to move on and change for the better. I worked at Hornes for 22 years and liked it very much. Life is what you make it !

- Mary

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When I was growing up my mom would always shop at Kaufmans. She even had a "charge plate" for the store. We shopped at Hornes and Gimbels as well. The marble floors, shiny elevators and special shopping bags. Those were the days. Mom is gone now but so is Kaufmans now.

- Capt. Safety

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"Meet me under Macy's clock".

I dont think so!

- Anonymous

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I am going to miss kaufman's. My girlfriend and I would go downtown every year before Christmas and sit on Santa's lap. We are both in our forties. Santa seemed to like it. Macy's I think is to expensive.

- Michele Walls

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I have had many opportunities to shop in both and I would chose a Kaufmanns over a Macys every time. Kaufmanns as well as Hornes and Gimbels have provided many good memories to the people of Western Pennsylvania. There has been a loyalty between company and consumer that I believe will never occur with Macys since it lacks any history Pennsylvania. Pittsburghers are steeped in tradition and losing the last bastion of retail history in Pgh mean that Macy's has big shoes to fill. Changing the name, making a few cosmetic changes and changing a few vendors does not necessarily guarantee success for Kaufmann's successor. So long Kaufmanns, good luck to Macy's

-Rich W.

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My aunt, Harriet Butler, will be 90 this summer, and she has mourned the loss of Gimbel's, the Jenkins Arcade, Horne's, Lazarus, and now Kaufmann's. She's survived all of it and much more -- and so will Pittsburgh. It's our people who matter most.

-Jane

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I am 51 years old. As a child, it was a big deal to dress up on a Saturday morning and drive with my family from our small town in Washington County to shop at Kaufmann's. As a growing boy, I would need to buy at least two suits a year there. I remember the Italian tailors and one in particular who angered easily. He would throw his chalk across the dressing room if he didn't like the salesman suggestion as to what needed altered. Of course, we always ate lunch at the Tic Toc shop and I didn't mind waiting in line for a seat as I loved their waffles and chocolate milk shakes.

- Karl

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My aunt, Harriet Butler, will be 90 this summer, and she has mourned the loss of Gimbel's, the Jenkins Arcade, Horne's, Lazarus, and now Kaufmann's. She's survived all of it and much more -- and so will Pittsburgh. It's our people who matter most.

- Jane Jessell

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gettng pictures with santa the talking tree shopping for my parents withouth help oh how big the store was with all the decorations the window displays as a child it was the highlight of the christmas season that is what i will miss

- DMR

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I remember when I was a little girl and my mom and my grandmother would get all dressed up with hats and gloves and we would go downtown to Kaufmanns and have lunch at the tic toc and shop and shop. Back then all of the women dressed to go downtown. I also remember that at Christmas time my dad would take me downtown to Kaufmanns to shop for my mom and we would spend the day looking at the windows and shopping. They used to broadcast for Children’s Hospital from the windows and I remember farkelberry (SP?) tarts. If you donated to childrens hospital you would receive some sort of farkelberry treat. That is clearly a Pittsburgh thing. When I was around 14 my girlfriends and I would ride the bus into town and shop at Kaufmanns we felt so grown up. I was up for jury duty this past fall and when I told my mother she said Oh Good, then when you’re on your break we can meet under the Kaufmanns clock and have lunch at the tic toc. We’ve taken my girls there on several occasions. Kaufmanns will be missed by all of us.

- Anonymous

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Kaufmann’s was a Pittsburgh Institution that will be so greatly missed. First, my beloved Gimbel’s was taken away and now Kaufmann’s. What’s next! I found more bargains on the racks of Kaufmann’s than at any other store in Pittsburgh. I am a value shopper, and Macy’s simply cannot compare with the selections and prices that could be found there. Macy’s is for the upscale shopper. They can have it.

- Mary Ellen

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I have many wonderful memories of Kaufmann's. When my children were young, my sister and I would take our children to Kaufmann's at Christmas to have breakfast with Santa. We also would go to the night sale when they only had these maybe twice a year. We made sure we would get into the store before 5:00 ( The store would be closed for an hour while the clerks would change the signs) but if you were already in the store they would let you stay but you couldn't purchase anything until the store opened at 6:00. We took this opportunity to eat our dinner at the restaurant in Kaufmanns. I have to say, I don't think the store is the same as it was then. I haven't been happy with them in the last few years. I'm sorry to see the change.

- gg

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Just read all the comments on the website about the closing of Kaufmann's. What a sad tale of woes!!!! For me, too. Like many of the folks who responded, I was raised with Kaufmann's - my parents had my picture taken on my first birthday at the portrait studio there - 66 years ago. They took me and my brothers to town every Christmas to see the windows and have dinner at the Tic Toc - and years later my husband and I did the same thing with our children. When I got my first job downtown, it was such a pleasure to have my mother meet me after work, shop together at Kaufmann's and then have dinner. Never went to any other store! The closing is another sad commentary on today's world - no respect for the past and tradition. Adding Macy's and Boskovs together will never equal Kaufmann's!!

- Janet

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My parents actually met as Kaufmanns Christmas extras 50 some years ago. I worked at Kaufmanns right out of high school for 3 years....then again 20 years later for 5 years. I lost my job when they merged Kaufmanns with Filenes. I loved working there. The associates were great. My sister worked there for 31 years and lost her job eventually due to the merger with Filenes. I remember riding the escalator in the downtown store one day, and a little girl around 10 or 11 telling her Mother..."I just love this mall!" That's what that store felt like....The real Kaufmanns has been gone for years when the May Company took them over, but they left a lot of great traditions in place. Hopefully Macys will do the same.

- Linda

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This is Pittsburgh. We give directions using landmarks that haven't been there for 50 years. We'll be calling it the Kaufmann's clock until the end of time.

- Sheila

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Like many others Kaufmann's holds many memories for me also. The downtown Kaufmann's was truly something special and at xmas it was like somehting out of the movies w/ all the decorations and window displays. When I was a child we would ride the bus downtown to meet my Grandmother who worked at the Union Trust Bldg and then go shopping at Kaufmann's all day! You could easily spend the whole day in that store. It is a great store and a special place to a lot of people, not just another store in a mall.

- Annie

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I had already stopped buying as much in Kaufmann's, so I don't see it as much of a loss.

- Bonita Levine

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I feel extremely sad.............. won't be shopping at Macy's......... not the right clothes nor price tag for my budget. That was the highlight of driving to Pittsburgh when visiting the family - going to Ross park Mall.

- Linda Jones

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As a child, I grew up knowing that Kaufmann's would always have the pretty dress, the finest linens, the best shoes. That was 1974, when I graduated from Gateway High School. I moved to Florida 25 years ago. When I go back "home" I always stop at Kaufmann's. Even though the Mall store took awhile to get used to, as I preferred the Rt.22 location, I loved everything about Kaufmann's. As a kid, I would take the bus to downtown Pittsburgh and just spend the day going through the entire store, top to bottom. It was a great pleasure that I will remember fondly. Too bad for Pittsburgh that it is leaving. It will be missed.

-Jill

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I have so many fond memories of Kaufmann’s Department store down town Pittsburgh… I am so sad to see it close, I feel as though I am saying goodbye to an old friend.

When I was a little girl my Mom and grandmother would take me and my little brother down town Pittsburgh on the bus. We would look at the beautiful Christmas displays in the windows of all the department stores and Kaufmanns was always our favorite. Next, we would go to the Tick Tock restaurant (inside Kaufmann’s) for a delicious dinner, which was always finished off with a frozen caramel pecan ball. Yummy! Afterwards we’d head upstairs to get our annual picture with Santa Claus and then we would shop to our hearts content.

So many times, as a young college student, I would meet my grandmother (who worked in the city county building) under Kaufmann’s clock for lunch.

My brother and I have grown up and moved away from Pittsburgh, our grandmother has since passed away. The many memories of Kaufmann’s department store are so precious and dear to my heart. Good bye Kaufmann’s….You will be missed.

-Jennifer

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I remember my parents purchased my first Lionel Electric Train at Kaufmann's in 1941 and my first summer job while in College was in the Kaufmann's College Shop in in 1958. Have a lot of interesting memories at that store and the name is synonymous with Pittsburgh.

-zk

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Kaufmann's will be missed. In the 80's, when I was a pharmacy student at Duquesne University, myself and some classmates would buy ourselves something there when we passed an especially difficult exam. I can't imagine meeting anyone under the "Macy's clock".

- Stacy

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I am so sad at the closing of Kaufmann’s. It still mystifies me how it could be the one going out of business. There were always customers in the Monroeville store and hardly a person in the Macy’s store. Prices and selection were much better. It is truly a loss to Pittsburgh.

-Patty

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What Pittsburghers are failing to remember is that the namesake of Kaufmann's is yet another blow to defining Pittsburgh. What makes Pittsburgh special is our unique differences among other cities. In an age of massive mergers, we're losing our identity. Kaufmann's has been part of Pittsburgh for nearly as long as the Steel industry in this region.

Kaufmann's is more than just a mall department store. Kaufmann's has helped shaped Pittsburgh the way no other business could. It's brought us the parade for at least 20 years, plus excellent window displays and has kept the downtown alive.

Pittsburgher's have met under the Kaufmann's Clock for years and years. No matter what happens, it'll always be the Kaufmann's Clock.

As a very proud Pittsburgher, shopping will not be the same from this point on.

Thank you Kaufmann's. We will never forget.

-Bobby

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I will never forget Kaufmann's!!! I worked there after I graduated from high school in 1958 in the adjustment department. It was the most fun summer! I started nurses training that fall, but, that job, that summer, I will never forget! The Tic Toc restaurant was great! The ice cream parfaits were awesome! It will be difficult to replace them! ( Kaufmann's)

-Paulette

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It is sad to see the end of a great store. Kaufmann's was always a great place to find just about anything you were looking for. I think Macy's selection and sales will never rival those of Kaufmann's. It was always my store of choice when shopping in Monroeville, I guess I will have to look for another store to shop at.

-Greg

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Macy's just doesn't compare to Kaufmann's, too stuffy. I can't get used to that store and I have tried repeatedly. Boscov's in Beaver Valley Mall just seems too packed with stuff, like Sears to me. My kids laugh at me when I speak of Joseph Hornes or Gimbels, but does anyone remember Stephen Richards on Banksville Road. I loved that little place. Hate all these changes. It really is sad.

-Karen

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I just wanted to write and say that I will truly miss Kaufman's. Even though I like Boscov's, I do not feel that they add up to Kaufman's. I have shopped at Kaufman's for over ten years and every time that I went there I found what I was looking for. They also had the best selection on clothes and shoes. I also loved the toddler clothes. With all of the good department stores closing (such as Kaufman's and Joseph Hornes) I am afraid that I will not be able to find styles that I like.

-Jennifer

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A visit to Kaufmann's became a tradition as soon as my daughter first started attending the University of Pittsburgh. Coming from a very rural area, the downtown store was a treat unlike any we had ever experienced. What a wonderful time my daughter and I had together each and every time we visited. I already miss those moments. Nothing can ever replace Kaufmann's.

-Carolyn

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Kaufmann’s will be truly missed. Of all the stores, they had the best sales, great associates! Nothing lasts forever, but like Joseph Horne’s who left and Gimbel’s, thanks for the memories!

-Charlene

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I've been to Boscov's in Butler and really like the store. I feel the change is good and will bring us more of a selection rather than repetitive merchandise that Macy's and Kaufmann's carry within the same mall. I can't wait to welcome Boscov's to Monroeville Mall!

-Kathy

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What a sad day shoppers in the Pittsburgh area. My first job in the United States, November 1957 I was trained for the Christmas shopping rush at Kauffman's downtown store, along with my Father. I had arrived in Pittsburgh on October 21, 1957 and for those that can remember, it was not a very good time for the Pittsburgh Area that winter. I started my training on Monday and Wednesday they sent me to the book department. My first sales was two or three dollars and I will never forget the customer gave me a twenty dollar bill to pay for the purchase. The first $20 I had ever seen. Thursday was my last day at Kauffman's, got another job at Thorofare Markets new store in Norwin. I will also always remember the downtown store windows at Christmas time.

-Michael

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I enjoyed shopping at Kaufmann's but it's time for a change. Boscov's has great promotions, sales, good variety in the various departments and gift wrapping. Just check out Butler's Clearview Mall department store.....you will like it!

-Colleen

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It's so sad to lose Kaufmann's. It just won't be the same. I am one of a generation who grew up with the old department stores - Kaufmann's, Gimbels and Joseph Hornes. I am in my fifties now and can remember the first time I shopped at Kaufmann's basement when I was 11 years old. My Mother gave me a note with a map she had drawn of the stores in downtown Pittsburgh. For example, Kaufmann's, McCrory's, G. C. Murphy's, Lerners, Donahue's, Baker's Shoes, and Chandlier's Shoe Store to name a few. It is so sad that downtown Pittsburgh is a virtual ghost town of closed stores. Macy's is not one of my favorite places to shop and I think although Federated Department Stores may own Kaufmann's, they should just leave it alone, especially the name.

-M. Miller

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I will deeply miss Kaufmann's as a dependable options for department store shopping. It is sad to see Pittburgh staples disappearing one by one. Macy's just doesn't measure up in my book. However, Boscov's will be a welcome replacement to provide a compariable Kaufmann's department store feel over Macy's any day. They already have a beautiful store at the Clearview Mall in Butler, Pa, which provides an enjoyable shopping experience.

- Lisa

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Like all landmarks Kaufmanns's will be missed. In the hurried world we live we don't seem to notice there departure, but most things Pittsburgh are no more. Alcoa, Westinghouse, Jones & Laughlin, Isley's, Horne's, Town Talk, Mellon Bank.....

-Mike

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"Meet me under Macy's clock" just doesnt sound right! I guess we'll have to find another Pgh landmark for our meeting places.

- oevans

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I always loved to look at the windows. They were always done so beautifully!! Pittsburgh will miss you

- Georgeann Montesano

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Individuals upset by the closing of Kaufmann's need not fear. I grew up with Boscov's. Every chance we get to return to Reading, we not only visit family, but, Boscov's is our first stop. This past Friday morning we arrived in Reading and "hit" Boscov's first. My teenage daughter has a field day, at my expense of course, but,..." Wonderful organization, fantastic sales and promotions! People will be saying "Kaufmann's Who?"

- Debbie Moatz

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To see Kaufmann’s close downtown is deeply sad and distressing for me and for the entire city of Pittsburgh. I absolutely will never go to town now.

- Patty P., Penn Hills

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