What's Up with the Doormen at the new Filene's Basement on Boylston Street?

At first, I thought the doormen in full regalia and white gloves were only going to stick around for the opening week festivities for the new Filene's Basement on the first floor of 501 Boylston Street.

But nope, they seem to be here to stay. Is this really necessary? Do people really feel more posh when they have the door opened up for them? Was this done in a bid to differentiate themselves from their competition across the street - Marshalls?

Regardless, I would rather see the store lose the door patrol and cut prices more.

Perhaps the doormen are a requirment to get a better insurance rate or something. But - if I had to be on my feet all day and dealing with the public I don't know which I would pick - the Filene's door men or the new converted Charlie Card help desk team.

In retrospect, I guess the hourly wage they pay the doormen is a small price to pay in exchange for guarding against someone running off with a trash bag full of cashmere Bergdorf Goodman sweaters.

Boston - home of multitudes of people being paid to stand around.