Shreve, Crump, and Rock & Roll
Jan. 8th, 2006 10:40 am![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
plumtreeblossomThe end of the holiday season brings the blessed demise of one of Boston's most embarrassing eyesores. Bells will ring all over Copley Square, and I, a downtown worker who must pass Shreve, Crump, & Low daily, will sing and cheer at the dismantling of their noxious holiday window display.
What was this year's window display theme for the store that specializes in fine jewels, heirloom crystal, and sterling silver home furnishings? Duh... Aerosmith, of course!
Every day I marvel at the idiocy of this marketing campaign, aimed at stirring up the old rebel heart in middle-aged professionals with money to blow. What do massive Liberace emeralds, fine porcelain tea sets, and Rolex watches have in common? They're all sitting in an Aerosmith-themed Berkeley Street display window, juxtaposed against completely incongruous song lyrics and cheesy Christmas bling.
The first thing that comes to mind upon seeing the windows is "They can't be serious." But they are. Sitting self-consciously on prize real estate that until last year housed the way funner FAO Schwarz, Crumpie's continues its 200 year old tradition of bringing the finer things in life to Boston, now in its new location and with a clear new mission -- kick out the jams and rock steady, dudes. They're cool, and so are you if you buy some Waterford crystal.
"So," thought the merchandising team, "how do we get all those 40-something CEOs into our store now that they have the money to grace our doorway? Let's convince them to shake the moths out of their old concert t-shirts, jump in the Beemer, blast Toys In The Attic, and come on down to register a china pattern!"
The worst display window features a silvery sleigh bearing elegantly wrapped gifts tagged for various other bands and musicians who got their start in Boston. Carly Simon probably likes it, but I ken if the Dropkick Murphys ever saw it, they'd smash in the window with a keg of Guinness.
I don't think it worked, this concept. Every day I walk past and peek in at the customerless showroom. Sales associates in matching blazers stand around forlornly, hoping to project johnny-on-the-spot welcomes to crowds that aren't coming. They rest against the jewelry counter, looking worried. I'd worry too. Joe Perry, you've let us down...
Are you rock & roll enough for Shreve, Crump, & Low? I don't think so. You probably don't even own a sterling silver Make Way For Ducklings commemorative picture frame. Poseur.
Certainly the display will come down this week, since Valentine's Day looms. Could they do worse? Yes. Never mind Aerosmith, here's the Sex Pistols.
What was this year's window display theme for the store that specializes in fine jewels, heirloom crystal, and sterling silver home furnishings? Duh... Aerosmith, of course!
Every day I marvel at the idiocy of this marketing campaign, aimed at stirring up the old rebel heart in middle-aged professionals with money to blow. What do massive Liberace emeralds, fine porcelain tea sets, and Rolex watches have in common? They're all sitting in an Aerosmith-themed Berkeley Street display window, juxtaposed against completely incongruous song lyrics and cheesy Christmas bling.
The first thing that comes to mind upon seeing the windows is "They can't be serious." But they are. Sitting self-consciously on prize real estate that until last year housed the way funner FAO Schwarz, Crumpie's continues its 200 year old tradition of bringing the finer things in life to Boston, now in its new location and with a clear new mission -- kick out the jams and rock steady, dudes. They're cool, and so are you if you buy some Waterford crystal.
"So," thought the merchandising team, "how do we get all those 40-something CEOs into our store now that they have the money to grace our doorway? Let's convince them to shake the moths out of their old concert t-shirts, jump in the Beemer, blast Toys In The Attic, and come on down to register a china pattern!"
The worst display window features a silvery sleigh bearing elegantly wrapped gifts tagged for various other bands and musicians who got their start in Boston. Carly Simon probably likes it, but I ken if the Dropkick Murphys ever saw it, they'd smash in the window with a keg of Guinness.
I don't think it worked, this concept. Every day I walk past and peek in at the customerless showroom. Sales associates in matching blazers stand around forlornly, hoping to project johnny-on-the-spot welcomes to crowds that aren't coming. They rest against the jewelry counter, looking worried. I'd worry too. Joe Perry, you've let us down...
Are you rock & roll enough for Shreve, Crump, & Low? I don't think so. You probably don't even own a sterling silver Make Way For Ducklings commemorative picture frame. Poseur.
Certainly the display will come down this week, since Valentine's Day looms. Could they do worse? Yes. Never mind Aerosmith, here's the Sex Pistols.
![[identity profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/openid.png){kind=small}
I'll stick with the zircon encrusted tweezers.
Date: 2006-01-08 09:54 pm (UTC)Re: I'll stick with the zircon encrusted tweezers.
Date: 2006-01-08 10:08 pm (UTC)