Coffee Break With Mary B's 5th Son
Join us every Sunday morning for coffee and life stories. Life is all about family, friends, and adventures. Our host Jeff will regale us with how coffee played an important role in his life and how his coffee awareness colored his experiences with movies, music, and television. As we all know life revolves around coffee. He invites you to enjoy your Sunday morning coffee with him. As his mother Mary always said "The two things that will make a day go by better is, coffee and a smile". Follow us on Instagram @marybs5thson - Jeff regularly updates the posts to match what he talks about on the podcast, and email us at: marybs5son@gmail.com - so we can answer your question or respond to your suggestions.
Coffee Break With Mary B's 5th Son
Marshall Field Chronicles v.2 Scandals, Shopping, and the Gilded Age
"Scandals, Marshall Field, and the Windy City"
Welcome to Coffee Break with Mary B's 5th Son. In this episode, we’re exploring the intersection of scandal, commerce, and Chicago’s rise to prominence through the lens of Marshall Field, the iconic department store magnate.
1. The Scandal of Chicago’s Gilded Age
We’ll dig into the juicy scandals that rocked Chicago during the late 19th and early 20th centuries, from political corruption to personal drama among the elite. Spoiler: Chicago earned its nickname as the “City of Big Shoulders” not just for its skyscrapers but for the hefty controversies it carried.
2. Marshall Field: The Man Behind the Magic
How did Marshall Field go from a small-town boy to the king of retail in Chicago? We’ll look at his entrepreneurial genius, his role in transforming the shopping experience, and the darker sides of his legacy—including his infamous affair that had Chicago’s upper crust whispering behind their parasols.
3. The Department Store That Changed the World
Field didn’t just build a store; he built an empire. Discover how Marshall Field & Co. became the blueprint for modern retail and why the Chicago flagship was the heart of the city’s bustling commerce. From the first-ever bridal registry to the luxurious Walnut Room restaurant, we’ll unpack the innovations that made Marshall Field’s legendary.
4. Chicago: The Perfect Backdrop
Why was Chicago the ideal setting for these larger-than-life stories? We’ll explore the city’s history, its resilience after the Great Fire, and its role as a hub of innovation, drama, and reinvention.
If you’re a fan of history, drama, or retail therapy, this episode has something for you. Expect a blend of fascinating facts, little-known tidbits, and plenty of humor as we unravel the threads of scandal and success in Chicago’s storied past.
Love a good scandal? Subscribe to Coffee Break with Mary B's 5th Son and never miss an episode! Share your thoughts on today’s show by tagging us on social media @marybs#5son. And if you’ve ever shopped at—or heard stories about—Marshall Field’s, we’d love to hear from you!
Tune in to this week’s episode to discover how Chicago’s scandals and Marshall Field’s ambitions shaped the city we know today.
Available wherever you listen to podcasts.