Can the grande dame of Pasadena department stores make it in 2008?

The renovation of the Welton Becket-built Macy's Pasadena is considered one of the more successful adaptive reuses. The mid-century-styled department store -- known for its rock walls, linear design and lush tropic plantings -- is considered a local landmark.

But the big question is whether a department store can still make it. The new Macy's opens this weekend, and the Star-News looks at the question:

The hand-painted wallpaper in cosmetics and the wood finishing in the children's department harken back to a different time.

Old fireplaces have been unwrapped from walled packaging, brick and tile floors have been restored where possible and classic murals have taken on a new focal point at the Pasadena Macy's at 401 Lake Ave.

The finishing touches are complete on Macy's months-long remodeling job as the store gears up for its grand reopening on Saturday.

But while the revamped Macy's brings some history back to Pasadena, the store will open in a decidedly different retail climate -- one whose future is far more uncertain than when the store shut down.

More from The Times' shopping blog from Andrea Chang:

The store, which underwent significant seismic upgrades and interior remodeling, first opened in 1947 as a Bullocks department store. With much of its original architecture still intact, the building has become a historic gem to many Pasadena residents.

"There are certain aspects of the store that are very important to the Pasadena heritage," said Lauren Foremsky, a Macy's special events coordinator, "so we really took a lot of consideration into keeping those aspects visible."

-- Shelby Grad

Photo: The interior of the revamped Macy's department store in Pasadena. Credit: Macy's