I've grown accustomed to the retail mediocrity that is Carson Pirie Scott, even though I maintain its residence in the former L.S. Ayres building is a department store tragedy.

The apparel selection is O.K. at best and the clearance shoe room is really the only reason I cross the threshold. The 75 percent off signs are a permanent fixture, making what was once a grand example of American dry goods into nothing more than a glorified T.J. Maxx.