A “ghost town” is how the manager of Jos. A. Bank on Commerce Street described downtown Dallas in the wake of the deadliest attack on law enforcement since 9/11. Walter Love expects citizen traffic to pick up as stores begin reopening after the weekend.
On Friday morning, Dallas law officials shut down a 25-block radius, perimeters by Houston and Ross Avenue. Clay Jenkins, Dallas County Judge, asked the downtown population to help law enforcement by keeping their distance from the western half of downtown unless “absolutely” necessary.
Neiman Marcus, who the Dallas Morning News considers a business devoted to the restoration and success of the downtown area, closed it’s store and corporate doors on Friday. The Dallas-based retailer employs 3,000 people between its store on Main and Akard, the Renaissance Tower and its building on Pacific Ave.
The late Stanely Marcus helped to heal Dallas after JFK’s assassination by procuring a copy of the president’s intended speech and publishing it for the nation to read. Neiman Marcus continues Stanley’s sincere legacy as its store’s window displays serves as memorials for the officers killed in the line of duty.
President and chief executive officer of Neiman Marcus Group, Karen Katz, said in a statement on Friday: “The tragic news the city of Dallas has woken up to has affected us deeply.”
“Our thoughts and prayers go out to the families of the five officers killed in the line of duty and the many more injured. Out of respect for the lives lost and to ensure the safety of our associates and customers, the Neiman Marcus corporate offices and the Downtown store will be closed today.”
Neiman Marcus stands only a few steps from the 25-block perimeter closed to civilians. A bomb threat Friday evening at the Manor House Apartments and then another threat to Dallas Police Department leave the store’s displays standing as beacons of strength.
An image of the city’s skyline sits atop a blurb that reads, “Dallas is our home, and our heart.”
The simple, yet proud message coincides with President Obama’s please for the nation’s unity. Obama spoke to reporters at a NATO summit in Warsaw on Friday.
“There is sorrow, there is anger, there is confusion about the next steps, but there is a unity in recognizing that this is not how we want our communities to operate,” President Obama stated. “This is not who we want to be as Americans.”
Recent racial homicides have caused widespread controversy and have clouded our vision, thus dividing the nation’s citizens. The Neiman Marcus displays and words of wisdom from our nation’s leader come as a reminder that our nation is our heart.
The very organ blind to gender, sexuality or race.
