Letters to the Editor » nordstrom

PIANO MAN: Perez will be missed at store

Joan T. Hamilton — Tue, 12 Feb 2013 01:05:29 +0000

Re: “Piano man has no shortage of job offers, gigs” (TNT, 2-9).

Walking into the Tacoma Nordstorm store for the last 27 years and being greeted by Juan Perez, the piano man, was the highlight of our family shopping experiences. He made it pleasurable to shop and enjoy the ambiance of live music.

This personable connection will be deeply missed, as it is being replaced by more modern recorded music. Unfortunately, Nordstrom made a terrible and cost-effective decision to do away with personable connection and go to more modern cost-cutting technology. This was a horrible decision on their end. …

PIANO MAN: Nordstrom’s loss is El Gaucho’s gain

Bambi Lin Litchman — Thu, 31 Jan 2013 00:59:29 +0000

Like many, I was stunned and saddened to learn that Nordstrom terminated Juan Perez, its piano player of 27 years, with one week’s notice. Until I read the article (TNT, 1-28), I didn’t know of his remarkable story as an immigrant to this country.

Perez is a marvelous musician with an extraordinarily good spirit who brought remarkable elegance to shopping at Nordstrom. Many have described how his lovely music and genuinely beautiful smile made their day when they visited the store. There is a good reason why he is a Tacoma icon.

I first encountered Perez when I moved to Tacoma to attend law school in the 1990s. Law school inspired many a wicked bad mood, but hearing Perez play and seeing his smile always elevated my spirit like a tonic. If I was in a bad mood, I’d feel better. If I was in a good mood, I’d still feel even better. Worked like a charm every time.

After learning of his termination, I realized that I’ve shopped in many U.S. cities and in countries around the world, yet never encountered the same beautiful ambiance that he created for Nordstrom with his music and personality.

What an absolute delight it was to learn (TNT, 1-30) that El Gaucho has hired Perez for a three-month trial. Congrats to him, and also to El Gaucho for a great decision. I look forward to my first visit to El Gaucho.

NORDSTROM: Customer doesn’t recall being asked about music

Jacqueline Chesley — Tue, 29 Jan 2013 23:38:00 +0000

I just read the article (TNT, 1-28) about Juan Perez, the 27-year employee being let go as the pianist at the Tacoma Nordstrom. He has entertained many of us for many years. I always know when he is at the piano, and it lets me know I am at Nordstrom. The perfume sellers are now all that lets you know you are at this store.

I have watched people stop and just watch him play. Some of us have to slow down just to catch his eye and get one of his wonderful smiles.

I have had a Nordstrom card since 1984 and did not get the memo that asked me if I wanted something else to replace the piano at this store. Where did they get their information? The Seattle Nordstrom still has its pianist playing; isn’t Tacoma “classy” enough to enjoy Juan Perez and his music?

I hope there is some other business in Tacoma that still cares about beautiful music and a music icon to Tacoma residents.

I will miss Perez, and I hope Nordstrom misses me as well.

NORDSTROM: An ill-considered cost-cutting move

Stanton R. Brown — Tue, 29 Jan 2013 01:25:08 +0000

Re: “Nordstrom pianist ends 27-year run” (TNT, 1-28 ).

According to the article, the “store manager heard from some customers that wanted a different type of experience.”

Right. Everyone knows that Nordstrom’s clientele looks forward to hearing Muzak instead of live piano. The complaining customers are almost certainly nonexistent. This is an ill-considered cost-cutting measure that will damage Nordstrom’s brand, like Rolls-Royce dropping its Spirit of Ecstasy hood ornament. Nordstrom needs all the brand differentiation it can get.

Afterthought: If some customers complained about the carbon footprint, would Nordstrom drop its shoe department?