MARSHALL FIELD'S SEEKS TO PARTNER WITH FOOD RETAILER

CHICAGO - Federated Department Stores said it was seeking to partner with an upscale food retailer that offers organics, such as Whole Foods Market, at the landmark Marshall Field's location here that it is converting to Macy's, according to reports.

opposition to its plans to convert the opulent space to Macy's.

The company plans to reopen the location in September as one of three flagship Macy's locations - the others are in New York and San Francisco - and will embark on a four-year restoration project at the building, designed to preserve many of the historic elements and architecture of the space. According to a Reuters report, Federated said it would be unlikely that it would seek to partner with supermarket operators at its other flagship locations because those stores are located in areas already well-served by food retailers.

"Macy's at State Street," as the converted store will be called, will also include a viewing kitchen where customers can watch the manufacture of Frango mints, which previously had been made at the Marshall Field's store but have in recent years been produced at an outside production facility in Pennsylvania. Federated is negotiating the return of full manufacturing of the Frango brand to the store, according to reports.

"Macy's at State Street is one of the most elegant department stores in the world and will continue to be the grandest store in Chicago," said Terry Lundgren, chairman, president and chief executive officer, at a news conference here. "We are fully committed to keeping the legacy of this store alive and making this great store even better for Chicagoans and visitors alike."

Among the annual traditions being maintained: the animated holiday window displays, Glamorama fall fashion show and the 45-foot-tall Great Tree in the Walnut Room.