We’re beginning to think that Dayton Hudson Corp.’s timing is decidedly off when it comes to public relations.
First, the Minneapolis-based parent of Marshall Field’s shuts down Frango mint production in Chicago, throwing more than 100 candymakers out of work, without a word of warning to Mayor Richard M. Daley.
Then it launches a new award to “recognize and encourage significant corporate community involvement.”
In fact, the Dayton Hudson Foundation, in partnership with the Council on Foundations, is seeking nominations for its 1999 Masterworks Award right now.
Awards will be given in two categories. One will honor a non-profit organization that has creatively worked with business to improve the community.
Another will honor a corporation that has “demonstrated community involvement of outstanding effectiveness, creativity, consistency and initiative.”
Corporate philanthropy is a good thing, of course. But despite Dayton Hudson’s generous tradition of giving 5 percent of its profits to charity, it’s unlikely Field’s parent will be winning any civic awards in the Windy City for a good long time.
Author Arthur: Fans of Sears, Roebuck and Co. Chief Executive Arthur Martinez won’t be reading his book anytime soon. “The Hard Road to the Softer Side of Sears,” was originally scheduled to be published last fall by Times Books, a subsidiary of Bertelsmann’s Random House. Now, it’s not going to come out until the year 2000 or later.
First, the book was delayed because the U.S. attorney in Boston hadn’t finished an investigation of Sears’ illegal collection of credit card debt from bankrupt Sears customers. However, that issue was resolved when Sears pleaded guilty to a single felony fraud count and agreed to pay a $60 million fine in February.
Now, the book is on the back burner because Martinez is more interested in fixing Sears’ sagging retail business than writing a final chapter, said Sears spokesman Ron Culp.
“He’s got other priorities right now. He won’t be able to put in the time and effort until he gets the company where he wants it to be,” Culp said.
Heads up: Back in the 1940s, millinery shops were sprinkled along Michigan Avenue like gems in a Harry Winston necklace. But bouffant hairstyles damaged the millinery trade in the 1960s, and the hatless ’70s did it in almost entirely.
But hat-wearing is making a comeback in some quarters. And as a sign of the times, a couture hat boutique has opened its doors in the Bloomingdale’s building at 900 N. Michigan Ave.
Linda Campisano Millinery is tucked away on the sixth floor back by the elevators to the parking garage. But not having street-front space doesn’t seem to have hurt business for the high-end head pieces.
The shop sold 60 hats, with prices starting around $250, in the first 10 days. If business continues that strong, the store could rack up close to $1 million in annual sales, said owner Linda Campisano, who closed her Evanston store only a few days before opening downtown.
Campisano said her clients are heavily drawn from downtown residents “who are more willing to wear hats and appreciate the quality of them.”
But she is also snagging business travelers and tourists who are staying at the Four Seasons Hotel next door. The store is in the perfect spot, she says, because the sixth floor is the only place to exit the mall’s parking garage.
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It was actually the mall manager’s idea to have a millinery shop in the 900 building, Campisano said. When she was first approached, she was sure the rent would be too high.
“They offered me a really great deal, and I took it. It was the best thing I’ve ever done,” Campisano said.