Nice to see my grandfather's stores brought so many nice memories!  I never got the chance to go to one...wasn't born until '78, in Florida....but would have like to see one.  Now I buy Two Guys ebay items to keep memories in the family.

Nice to see my grandfather's stores brought so many nice memories!  I never got the chance to go to one...wasn't born until '78, in Florida....but would have like to see one.  Now I buy Two Guys ebay items to keep memories in the family.


Wow, very cool Nora. Two guys was indeed a great memory and a great store. Its might sound strange to think that a store was such a big part of my life, (at least in memories), but Two Guys was such a fun place and they really had everything. I wish I could walk in there right now.
:)

There used to be a Bradlee's at Route 440 in Jersey City, NJ

   Remember Gemco well.  Got our RCA SelectaVision at a Gemco in '83...

   Ah, those were the days.  Check out the link below.  Apparently reunions of ex-Gemco employees have been held.  Cool..!

   Seems many of the old Gemco buildings were converted into Targets...

   http://www.royhooper.com/GEMCO.gif


Gemco? Yes, it still existed when I was little...and there was one near where my grandma lives. It became a Target in the late 80s (I think)... and just a year or so ago, that building was dismantled to make way for a bigger building, which I personally think is out of place, given that it's located near a residential neighborhood. ::)

This reminds me of myself when I was young (around 6 or 7 years old). But, it was with a different catalog. I used to take our "Best" catalog (another kind of department store, except they did not have clothing), and I was obsessed with the jewelry section. I would pick out my favorite kinds and save the pages (I may have even torn out a few). I treated this catalog like gold, though. It was the one I always looked at and fantasized about certain items. I suppose this catalog is long gone, but believe it or not, some of the images still run through my mind from time to time, lol


It's so funny that you say this because I used to do the same thing with the BEST catalog.  My friends and I would sit and flip through the jewelry section and pick which piece of jewelery was going to be ours. ;D

A few stores I remember are...

TG&Y
Alpha Beta
Little Folks Shop

Alpha Beta merged with Ralphs in the 90's...but again, so did Hughes markets. ::) They had some pretty good stuff; for the life of me, I don't understand why supermarkets and banks buy each other out.

Famous-Barr went defunct a couple years ago. They had huge locations all over the mid-west. Of course, Macy's bought them out, my hatred for Macy's grows exponentially every day.

Famous-Barr was great, it was kind of like Sak's for the Mid-West, a little behind the times but lots of chrome and polished wood.

Alpha Beta merged with Ralphs in the 90's...but again, so did Hughes markets. ::) They had some pretty good stuff; for the life of me, I don't understand why supermarkets and banks buy each other out.


From what I understand, they also merged with Lucky which is no longer around.  I don't remember a lot about Alpha Beta.  We had one close to our house in Fontana that my mom always shopped at, but they closed that store in the early 80s.

From what I understand, they also merged with Lucky with is no longer around.  I don't remember a lot about Alpha Beta.  We had one close to our house in Fontana that my mom always shopped at, but they closed that store in the early 80s.

And Lucky, in turn, merged with Albertsons in 1999! :o :D

And Lucky, in turn, merged with Albertsons in 1999! :o :D


When will it end. ;D

When will it end. ;D

I know, huh? ;D

The banks have been at it since the mid-90's. In California we had Coast Federal Bank, which got bought out by Home Savings in 1996 or '97, and then in May 1999 all the Home Savingses became Washington Mutual! :o And I think in the 80's, Security Pacific got bought out by BOFA.

I know, huh? ;D

The banks have been at it since the mid-90's. In California we had Coast Federal Bank, which got bought out by Home Savings in 1996 or '97, and then in May 1999 all the Home Savingses became Washington Mutual! :o And I think in the 80's, Security Pacific got bought out by BOFA.


Yeah, I remember Secuity Pacific and Home Savings.  We also had one of each in Fontana.  The buildings are still there, but I think they are cheap funiture stores now. :D

Yeah, I remember Secuity Pacific and Home Savings.  We also had one of each in Fontana.  The buildings are still there, but I think they are cheap funiture stores now. :D

Yeah, that's what sometimes happens to old bank buildings. The Coast Federal-turned-Home Savings-turned-WM that we first went to (in 1993 or so) is still around, and was still a W.M. last time I checked. The problem is, it's part of a shopping center with a Ralphs that's directly across the street from another Ralphs!! :D ;D

There used to be alot of Lawsons stores when I was a kid in back in the 70s. It was a small store where you could buy milk, bread, ice cream, candy of course, and a few other grocery items. I don't think there are any around anymore. We had one in our neighborhood and we used to hang out there on the back dock and smoke cigarettes.  :D

Yeah, that's what sometimes happens to old bank buildings. The Coast Federal-turned-Home Savings-turned-WM that we first went to (in 1993 or so) is still around, and was still a W.M. last time I checked. The problem is, it's part of a shopping center with a Ralphs that's directly across the street from another Ralphs!! :D ;D


We had a Security Pacific Bank which got bought out by BofA in 1993. I remember this happening when my mom told me we were switching banks to the near by BofA when I was around 11 years old. I use to be against BofA because I had this thing against the big corporations and liked dealing with the underdog businesses. I felt that way about shopping at Raley's vs. Luckys. Luckys, to me, was the big, mean corporation with crappy meat and produce, while Raley's was real quality that had Sunnyside Farms and good produce.

From what I understand, they also merged with Lucky which is no longer around.  I don't remember a lot about Alpha Beta.  We had one close to our house in Fontana that my mom always shopped at, but they closed that store in the early 80s.


My mother used to do all of her grocery shopping at Lucky!  :D

Actually, out here in Vegas, it looks like Lucky is making a mini-comeback. I read an article in the local paper about Albertson's converting a few select locations back to the Lucky name. I hope it's successful!  :)

Anybody remember Pill & Puff stores? They were small discount health and beauty aids stores. They were usually  alot cheaper than a drugstore or grocery stores. The last existing one near my house was closed in the late 80s.

Filenes Basement - Boston.  Sight of the annual Run for the Brides wedding gown sale extravaganza.  They said they are shutting down for a two year renovation, but you know how that goes....

Filenes Basement - Boston.  Sight of the annual Run for the Brides wedding gown sale extravaganza.  They said they are shutting down for a two year renovation, but you know how that goes....



I think we have a Filenes Basement in Pittsburgh.

Well, actually two Albertsons stores nearby have now been changed to Lucky again. We even received ads in the paper for Lucky stores. Very strange. I feel like I'm stepping back in time, lol  ;D

Well, actually two Albertsons stores nearby have now been changed to Lucky again. We even received ads in the paper for Lucky stores. Very strange. I feel like I'm stepping back in time, lol  ;D


Cool!  :)

We had a Security Pacific Bank which got bought out by BofA in 1993. I remember this happening when my mom told me we were switching banks to the near by BofA when I was around 11 years old. I use to be against BofA because I had this thing against the big corporations and liked dealing with the underdog businesses. I felt that way about shopping at Raley's vs. Luckys. Luckys, to me, was the big, mean corporation with crappy meat and produce, while Raley's was real quality that had Sunnyside Farms and good produce.



...and then Luckys got bought out by Albertsons in late 1999, as I recall! :P




Well, actually two Albertsons stores nearby have now been changed to Lucky again. We even received ads in the paper for Lucky stores. Very strange. I feel like I'm stepping back in time, lol  ;D

Huh? Luckys Stores are coming back?? :o :o

Well, actually two Albertsons stores nearby have now been changed to Lucky again. We even received ads in the paper for Lucky stores. Very strange. I feel like I'm stepping back in time, lol  ;D


Same here!

Same here!


Yeah, it's kinda strange. I finally drove by one of them, and saw the sign back up. It's all too weird!

Yeah, it's kinda strange. I finally drove by one of them, and saw the sign back up. It's all too weird!

I haven't seen any evidence of Luckys stores returning to my neck-of-the-woods yet...but it might be weird if'n I do see any!

Just like when Savon became Osco Drugs and then went back to Savon!

There used to be alot of Lawsons stores when I was a kid in back in the 70s. It was a small store where you could buy milk, bread, ice cream, candy of course, and a few other grocery items. I don't think there are any around anymore. We had one in our neighborhood and we used to hang out there on the back dock and smoke cigarettes.  :D


Lawson's is a HUGE convenience store here in Japan and they indeed originated in the states.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lawson_(store)

Lawson's is a HUGE convenience store here in Japan and they indeed originated in the states.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lawson_(store)

According to this wiki article, they evolved into Dairy Mart, and later to Circle K (which I am quite familiar with) in other parts of the States.

Department stores of the Northeast:

Ames
Bradlees
Caldor
Rich's
Almy's
McRory's
Woolco's
Woolworth's
Stewart's Superarkets

^ I knew about Woolworth's. In fact, there is an old Woolworth's building close by me, in downtown Oxnard, which is still around (complete with original signage), but that building is now used for a different purpose.

The bookshop Borders in the UK went bust last December and I miss them greatly.

The bookshop Borders in the UK went bust last December and I miss them greatly.


They are still going here (at least I hope so - I just bought a $50 gift card!)

Department stores of the Northeast:

Ames
Bradlees
Caldor
Rich's
Almy's
McRory's
Woolco's
Woolworth's
Stewart's Superarkets


Definitely remember Woolworth's....I used to go to the one in downtown Vegas with my dad when I was little.

I also vaguely remember my mother taking me to Woolco a few times in the early 80s.

We had a shoe store in our town that went out of business. In the city the mall had this one kiosk for the longest time, and it sold these awful little anime-themed alarm clocks. Completely obnoxious-- I had a Sailor Moon one  ;D I'm surprised it hadn't gone out of business sooner.

Goku. xD http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=D6V5eX4Fom0

The bookshop Borders in the UK went bust last December and I miss them greatly.


  You still have Waterstone's and that other big chain, right?  The former I'd equate to a US Waldenbooks and the later (can't recall the name) I'd compare to a larger B. Dalton or a Barnes & Noble...

Here's an old school blast from the past for my fellow Canadians ...

Sam the Record Man, was at one time, Canada's Largest Record store.  It was known for it's giant spinning record sign at it's original Flagship store in downtown Toronto.  By the 90s, it had gained such power, they bought out competing chain A&A Records and Tapes but with the emerging competitor HMV and the dawn of the digital age, by 2001, the chain went Bankrupt.  A few stores remained open, but in 2007, the original Toronto store closed it's doors, signaling it's end.  A petition was circulated to try and save the iconic signs, but as the entire building was designated because the Ontario Heritage Act, it had no provisions to protect store signs and in March of 2009, the building was partially demolished.

http://farm1.static.flickr.com/99/285305309_94debc5b45.jpg

The last ever lightning of the Sam's sign in Toronto in 2008 ...

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=V3LdB9DM6Qc


To this day, there remain only two Sam locations:  One in Sarnia, Ontario and the other in Belleville, Ontario.  I shop at the Belleville location all the time and even though their prices are ridiculously high, they always have things that I cannot find at other stores.  Just picked up the compete series of 'Tenspeed and Brownshoe' there on Thursday ...

http://img406.imageshack.us/img406/8742/800pxsamsinbelleville.jpg

A few of my favorite stores from my childhood are...

McCrorys
Kresge's
Korvettes

I used to eat at the lunch counter at McCrorys all the time when I was a kid.  I'd always have a grilled cheese sandwich and a glass of coke. 

I remember from the '90s in Northeast Ohio:

Hills
Best
Fretter
Stop N Shop
Pick n Pay
Finast
Key Bank was Society Bank
May Company became Kaufmanns became Macy's
Higbees became Dillards
SOHIO became BP

I remember from the '90s in Northeast Ohio:

May Company became Kaufmanns became Macy's


In California they became Robinsons-May (by merging with Robinsons) in early 1993, right around the time Bill Clinton became president... and yes, most of the stores out here converted to Macy's.


Of those others in your list, there was one with a similar name out here: Pic-N-Save (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pic_%27n%27_Save), which became defunct by the early 00's.

Here's an old school blast from the past for my fellow Canadians ...

Sam the Record Man, was at one time, Canada's Largest Record store.  It was known for it's giant spinning record sign at it's original Flagship store in downtown Toronto.  By the 90s, it had gained such power, they bought out competing chain A&A Records and Tapes but with the emerging competitor HMV and the dawn of the digital age, by 2001, the chain went Bankrupt.  A few stores remained open, but in 2007, the original Toronto store closed it's doors, signaling it's end.  A petition was circulated to try and save the iconic signs, but as the entire building was designated because the Ontario Heritage Act, it had no provisions to protect store signs and in March of 2009, the building was partially demolished.

http://farm1.static.flickr.com/99/285305309_94debc5b45.jpg

The last ever lightning of the Sam's sign in Toronto in 2008 ...

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=V3LdB9DM6Qc


To this day, there remain only two Sam locations:  One in Sarnia, Ontario and the other in Belleville, Ontario.  I shop at the Belleville location all the time and even though their prices are ridiculously high, they always have things that I cannot find at other stores.  Just picked up the compete series of 'Tenspeed and Brownshoe' there on Thursday ...

http://img406.imageshack.us/img406/8742/800pxsamsinbelleville.jpg

I used to go to Sam's and A&A's back in the 70s and 80s to buy albums, singles and tapes.

Stop N Shop


The grocery store is still going in New England

The grocery store is still going in New England


That's a different one it just has the same name. I've heard of them though. Stop N Shop in Cleveland was like a fairly small chain of independent locally owned grocery stores, the owners name used to be on the store so ours was the Rini-Rego Stop N Shop.

That's a different one it just has the same name. I've heard of them though. Stop N Shop in Cleveland was like a fairly small chain of independent locally owned grocery stores, the owners name used to be on the store so ours was the Rini-Rego Stop N Shop.


Also, I was wrong.  The New England stores are Stop & Shop not Stop N Shop.  Easy mistake to make

In California they became Robinsons-May (by merging with Robinsons) in early 1993, right around the time Bill Clinton became president... and yes, most of the stores out here converted to Macy's.


Of those others in your list, there was one with a similar name out here: Pic-N-Save (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pic_%27n%27_Save), which became defunct by the early 00's.


I remember when Robinson's first came to AZ (when I was living there), it used to be Goldwater's.  I enjoyed shopping at Robinson's-May whenever I could and I'm still sad to see it gone.  :\'(

Oooh, Pic-N-Save!  ;D  I loved that store!  My mother and I used to shop at the Pic-N-Save that was next to Kmart in NV when I was a kid.  Out here the Pic-N-Save became MacFrugal's in the early 90s.  These days, most of those stores are now Big Lots. 

I remember when Robinson's first came to AZ (when I was living there), it used to be Goldwater's.  I enjoyed shopping at Robinson's-May whenever I could and I'm still sad to see it gone.   :\'(

I enjoyed shopping at Robinson-May too, especially to get birthday/Christmas/Mothers Day/Fathers Day gifts for my parents. They usually had nice clothing selections.




Oooh, Pic-N-Save!  ;D  I loved that store!  My mother and I used to shop at the Pic-N-Save that was next to Kmart in NV when I was a kid.  Out here the Pic-N-Save became MacFrugal's in the early 90s.  These days, most of those stores are now Big Lots. 

I know there were some in our area, including one in Granada Hills next to a Chuck-e-Cheese. I was by that corner a couple months ago (to shop at the Albertsons which used to be a Lucky's) but I forget what it's called now. Maybe Google Street View can help me.

Yeah, it's a Big Lots store now.

Tower Records and HMV Records are both gone.  Both had franchises in Harvard Square.  "Wordsworth's" bookstore went out of business years ago in Harvard Square. 

Blockbuster soon to be defunct since now everything is Netflix or watching free videos on the computer.

Blockbuster soon to be defunct since now everything is Netflix or watching free videos on the computer.


They did file for Bankruptcy

Blockbuster soon to be defunct since now everything is Netflix or watching free videos on the computer.
Blockbuster appear to be selling online.

They did file for Bankruptcy



It's sad,the days of watching films on your VCR are gone. :(

It's sad,the days of watching films on your VCR are gone. :(

I know. Ever since we got our first VCR in the late 80's, we enjoyed renting movies and watching them in our home. Then you had to rewind them when finished. (DVDs eliminate that concern.)



Blockbuster soon to be defunct since now everything is Netflix or watching free videos on the computer.

And with Blockbuster going out of business, it just isn't the same anymore... :-\\

I know. Ever since we got our first VCR in the late 80's, we enjoyed renting movies and watching them in our home. Then you had to rewind them when finished. (DVDs eliminate that concern.)

And with Blockbuster going out of business, it just isn't the same anymore... :-\\


Now everybody is watching films on their computer or from netflix.

http://www.wired.com/images_blogs/photos/uncategorized/2008/07/02/blockbuster.jpg 1985-2010  :(

http://iwantmore.files.wordpress.com/2008/09/208414177_l.jpg?w=300&h=181

This place should be defunct within the next 5-10 years,It has been open since 1986,they sell old 45's,cassettes,vinyls,I mean really nobody buys old 45's anymore.This was my favorite place to go to for a cheap cassette or CD but unfortunately they're gonna have to change or close down the business,that's my opinion.They could renovate all they want but it's not going to help.

Now everybody is watching films on their computer or from netflix.

http://www.wired.com/images_blogs/photos/uncategorized/2008/07/02/blockbuster.jpg 1985-2010  :(
I still watch my films on television.

I still watch my films on television.


10 years from now Blockbuster will be a faded memory.

10 years from now Blockbuster will be a faded memory.
Over the years I never used Blockbuster

I still watch my films on television.

As do I. The television screen is much bigger than a computer screen, and it gives the effect of watching a movie comfortably in your living room or den.

As do I. The television screen is much bigger than a computer screen, and it gives the effect of watching a movie comfortably in your living room or den.
With a 52 inch television there is no other choice!

With a 52 inch television there is no other choice!

The picture is excellent on a high definition television!

The picture is excellent on a high definition television!
Oh yes!

Oh yes!

They have a wide screen, so watching a program in HD is kinda like watching a movie!

They have a wide screen, so watching a program in HD is kinda like watching a movie!
Blu-ray has yet to be purchased

Blu-ray has yet to be purchased

I don't have a machine that plays those things, either. Nor do I intend to in the near future. (Maybe a few years from now I may decide otherwise.)

I don't have a machine that plays those things, either. Nor do I intend to in the near future. (Maybe a few years from now I may decide otherwise.)
The good thing is that DVDs can still be played on a Blu-ray player.

The good thing is that DVDs can still be played on a Blu-ray player.

I will keep that in mind. :)

Over the years I never used Blockbuster


I have once in a while during the early 90's.

http://www.wakefieldclassof1970.com/uploads/Korvettes.JPG

My Father was an accountant there until it went bankrupt in 1980 along with the Mego corporation.

Krispy Kreme donuts are supposedly going out of business. FYE and KB Toys are dying, too.

Krispy Kreme donuts are supposedly going out of business.

I guess they aren't as popular now as they were 10 years ago. Either that or something is going on with the corporation itself.



FYE and KB Toys are dying, too.

Not sure what FYE is, but KB Toys has been familiar to me ever since I was a kid.

Krispy Kreme donuts are supposedly going out of business. FYE and KB Toys are dying, too.


Well you have Dunkin Donuts,Everybody runs on Dunkin.

I guess they aren't as popular now as they were 10 years ago. Either that or something is going on with the corporation itself.

Not sure what FYE is, but KB Toys has been familiar to me ever since I was a kid.


FYE is a CD,tape,video,stereo and tv accessories,video game,DVD place.

http://www.plaidstallions.com/toystores/partsix.jpg

Playworld Store.^

FYE is a CD,tape,video,stereo and tv accessories,video game,DVD place.

What does it stand for? I don't think I ever heard of it in California.


There are lots of stores of that type; for example, Best Buy sells all those things.

Papa Gino's seems to be dying.  As the old malls die and the new malls rise, Papa's is not included in new the mall plan, nor in the retrofitting of the old one.  It's all Applebee's, TGIFs, and so forth.  Some of Papa's free-standing stores do okay.  They still have one in Northampton.  However, they opened one int Amherst taking the old Via Via store front.  I gave them 18 months.  They lasted three.  Six if you count a summer closure and realizing in the middle of September the signs weren't there anymore!
;D

Everybody who's everybody -- and everybody else --  including me goes to Antonio's for a slice of pizza in Amherst.  That's that.

What does it stand for? I don't think I ever heard of it in California.


There are lots of stores of that type; for example, Best Buy sells all those things.


FYE = For Your Entertainment

FYE = For Your Entertainment

Thanks, Billzy.




It's all Applebee's, TGIFs, and so forth.

Funny, all the Applebees in California (at least in southern Cal) are dying, and nothing is there to replace them.

I think Bowling is starting to die out and become defunct.

I think Bowling is starting to die out and become defunct.

Bowling? Not at all. However, some bowling alleys have bitten the dust in recent years, but others continue to do business.

I can think of a couple bowling alleys in the Los Angeles area that have been dismantled in (fairly) recent times. For instance, there was Granada Lanes, which had been in business for ages...until the Northridge earthquake of 1994 destroyed it. And instead of rebuild it (which probably would have cost mucho $$$), they dismantled the place and put a grocery store in its place. But less than ten years later it went empty because an identical supermarket had been built directly across the street from it...so now the bowling-alley-turned-grocery-store remains vacant. Personally I think they should level it and put the bowling alley back!

The other bowling alley that recently went bye bye was Rocket Bowl in Chatsworth, which was on DeSoto Avenue just south of the railroad tracks. I never went there, but have passed by it numerous times. According to what I found online, the place opened its doors in the early 1960's and did lots of successful business, but earlier this year it closed its doors due to lack of interest in the community... so in June, the building got dismantled and now a vacant lot is in its place.

Bowling? Not at all. However, some bowling alleys have bitten the dust in recent years, but others continue to do business.

I can think of a couple bowling alleys in the Los Angeles area that have been dismantled in (fairly) recent times. For instance, there was Granada Lanes, which had been in business for ages...until the Northridge earthquake of 1994 destroyed it. And instead of rebuild it (which probably would have cost mucho $$$), they dismantled the place and put a grocery store in its place. But less than ten years later it went empty because an identical supermarket had been built directly across the street from it...so now the bowling-alley-turned-grocery-store remains vacant. Personally I think they should level it and put the bowling alley back!

The other bowling alley that recently went bye bye was Rocket Bowl in Chatsworth, which was on DeSoto Avenue just south of the railroad tracks. I never went there, but have passed by it numerous times. According to what I found online, the place opened its doors in the early 1960's and did lots of successful business, but earlier this year it closed its doors due to lack of interest in the community... so in June, the building got dismantled and now a vacant lot is in its place.


Bowling Alleys in New York have become defunct at least for some of them.

Bowling Alleys in New York have become defunct at least for some of them.

That's too bad. :( Are there any that are still around?

That's too bad. :( Are there any that are still around?


There is JIB Lanes and a few AMF Bowling Alleys.

There is JIB Lanes and a few AMF Bowling Alleys.

Oh yes, AMF. That company has represented many bowling alleys, and still does.

Oh yes, AMF. That company has represented many bowling alleys, and still does.


but some are going to be out of business next few years cause times are changing.

but some are going to be out of business next few years cause times are changing.

We'll see if that holds true as time goes on. I just know that there are some bowling facilities in my area that are still going strong, including one about 5 miles or so from my house.

FYE = For Your Entertainment


FYE bought the Camelot Music chain (formerly Camelot Records) in the 90's. During my high school days, I browsed the LP's and tapes at a location near Youngstown, Ohio. Here's a wiki entry about Camelot.  http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Camelot_Music

We'll see if that holds true as time goes on. I just know that there are some bowling facilities in my area that are still going strong, including one about 5 miles or so from my house.


Is it busy over there?  ???

Is it busy over there?  ???

Yeah, I guess so. I just went there during the first week of August and saw people enjoying themselves. It probably gets busier on the weekends, when most people don't have work or school obligations.

This thread is, like, 200 pages long, so sorry if we already mentioned:

McCrory's

This was a five-and-dime store ranging from, I think, Pennsylvania and Ohio east through Maine.  

We had one in our modest NH downtown of Milford, NH, when I was a kid.  I remember noticing it was closed down in the early '90s.  The chain struggled on for another decade though the company filed bankruptcy in 1993.  It was evident since the late 1970s that the five-and-dime store was leaving town in favor of the shopping malls.  With that in mind, McCrory's bought two failing five-and-dime chains in 1986, Kresage and Jupiter.
::)

http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_0bRrhyfW294/TBbs8Z0FM6I/AAAAAAAAD6s/JLvdb-xVWyg/s1600/pa+pbgh+gimbels+70s.jpg

http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_0bRrhyfW294/TBbs8Z0FM6I/AAAAAAAAD6s/JLvdb-xVWyg/s1600/pa+pbgh+gimbels+70s.jpg

Of course!!

They went outta business long ago!

And some more recent department stores have also bitten the dust.

Of course!!

They went outta business long ago!

And some more recent department stores have also bitten the dust.


Yes like Bloomingdales and Two Guys.

Yes like Bloomingdales and Two Guys.

and Boardway (which got bought out by Macy's), and Robinsons-May (which had been two separate franchises, Robinsons and May Company, before merging in early 1993).

http://megocentral.com/MEGOforumheaderkids.jpg

The Mego Corporation,it went bankrupt 30 years ago.

http://sites.google.com/site/zayre88/_/rsrc/1275852343410/almys/almys.jpg?height=76&width=200

The Wiz.
Funtime USA (not a store, but a favorite place to go when I was 5, 6, 7).

The Wiz.
Funtime USA (not a store, but a favorite place to go when I was 5, 6, 7).



http://i.ytimg.com/vi/hUsXliGhhHU/0.jpg

Nobody Beats The Wiz.

http://i.ytimg.com/vi/hUsXliGhhHU/0.jpg

Nobody Beats The Wiz.


Man I miss that place.
Odd, eh?
I probably remember other stores, but don't remember their names sadly...

Man I miss that place.
Odd, eh?
I probably remember other stores, but don't remember their names sadly...


Do you remember Korvettes?  ???

Do you remember Korvettes?  ???


I remember Korvettes, that was one of my mother's favorites.

I remember Korvettes, that was one of my mother's favorites.


My Father worked there in the early to late 70's,he was a CPA between 1975-1980.

Bowling Alleys still alive and well here in Milwaukee!!

:D

I really miss pancake houses like International House of Pancakes.  The only thing we have like that in my area is called IHOP.  I hop what?  Everything these days is I-something... ipod, ihome, ihop.  Boo.

http://img.villagephotos.com/p/2006-6/1193336/fotomat1.jpg

  Anyone remember these beasties?  Wasn't there one in every grocery store parking lot..?

http://img.villagephotos.com/p/2006-6/1193336/fotomat1.jpg

   Anyone remember these beasties?  Wasn't there one in every grocery store parking lot..?


Oh my God yes!!  There was one in the parking lot of our ACME.  So strange... imagine working in there?

http://img.villagephotos.com/p/2006-6/1193336/fotomat1.jpg

   Anyone remember these beasties?  Wasn't there one in every grocery store parking lot..?


I remember those.  :o

Does anyone remember Pathmark?  It's a shame they all closed.

Does anyone remember Pathmark?  It's a shame they all closed.


They're not defunct!  ::)

I really miss pancake houses like International House of Pancakes.  The only thing we have like that in my area is called IHOP.  I hop what?  Everything these days is I-something... ipod, ihome, ihop.  Boo.


Isn't IHOP just an acronym for International House of Pancakes? I remember the chain having a location near my hometown in the 80's, but it didn't last. These days, they seem to be everywhere.

Isn't IHOP just an acronym for International House of Pancakes? I remember the chain having a location near my hometown in the 80's, but it didn't last. These days, they seem to be everywhere.


Yes just went there for my birthday.

http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_246OMBI86f8/TAu97PiiGII/AAAAAAAAEJQ/aeocQAQdKac/s1600/acme_style_bonus_pathmark_05.jpg

Here is what all the Pathmarks look like today.  Sad to see it  :\'(

http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_246OMBI86f8/TAu97PiiGII/AAAAAAAAEJQ/aeocQAQdKac/s1600/acme_style_bonus_pathmark_05.jpg

Here is what all the Pathmarks look like today.  Sad to see it  :\'(


Thanks Billzy,HOLY CRAP!  :o

Krispy Kreme donuts are supposedly going out of business.
I never understood that mid-late 90s craze. Everyone was raving on those so I went and it was like getting a box of day old donuts at the local grocery store bakery.

I never understood that mid-late 90s craze. Everyone was raving on those so I went and it was like getting a box of day old donuts at the local grocery store bakery.


I used to eat them almost every day 10 years ago with my cup of coffee.

http://img.villagephotos.com/p/2006-6/1193336/fotomat1.jpg

   Anyone remember these beasties?  Wasn't there one in every grocery store parking lot..?

Oh yes, those little kiosks... you'd just drive up, drop off your film, and come back later to pick up the photos!

The Wiz.

The Wiz.



Nobody Beats The Wiz.

Nobody Beats The Wiz.


You already said that, and posted a picture to go along with it, on the previous page.  No wonder you have so many posts  ::)

Remember Hills?

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hills_Department_Stores

Best?

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Best_Products

Here's another one, Handy Andy

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Handy_Andy_Home_Improvement_Center

Fretter:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fretter

I actually remember when the phone company was still called Ohio Bell in Cleveland (rebranded to Ameritech in 1993).

Newmark And Lewis.

Remember Hills?

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hills_Department_Stores

Best?

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Best_Products

Here's another one, Handy Andy

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Handy_Andy_Home_Improvement_Center

Fretter:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fretter

I actually remember when the phone company was still called Ohio Bell in Cleveland (rebranded to Ameritech in 1993).


I have so many great memories of Best!!!

I have so many great memories of Best!!!

Me too; I remember them from back in the day. I saw their ads on TV and even went to their stores.

Best?

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Best_Products




  Best.  Absolutely..!

  Used to get alot of my Star Wars stuff there in the late 1970s...

   Best.  Absolutely..!

   Used to get alot of my Star Wars stuff there in the late 1970s...


No way!! My favorite memories of Best are looking at Star Wars toys as a kid.  I was probably 5 or so.  I remember the Ewok village in the box, and one of the x-wing fighters.  Wow, that just took me back...

So Waldenbooks is owned by Borders who also bought a local chain here called Hawley-Cooke, Borders declared bankruptcy and closed a lot of stories while KB Toys did the same thing but kinda different because Toys R Us owns them. FYE owned Suncoast which for those who don't know FYE mostly focused on music while Suncoast was the place for movies, porn and movie and TV based action figures. YOu could also get some imported hentai and Japanese candy and snacks and posters at a higher availability than you could(and can) at FYE. FYE closed the Suncoast stores for reasons i don't know and neither did most of the employees of either store. FYE then poorly picked up the slack of Suncoast. The ones here don't carry near the amount of any type of movie, or toys. And I think it was a bad idea to close the stores. Also FYE is usually blue and bright while Suncoast used a lot of black and red neon.

I don't know about you but I remember
Roadrunner video,
Pizza Magia,
HQ(Home Quarters Warehouse)
Winn-Dixie,
Discovery channel stores(which don't exist here atleast)
There was a hobby store like the Something-To-Do store
Lazurus
Bacon's
Levy's(Hardware store)
I'm guessing Value City(recent as well. we have a Value City furniture store but the department side was sold to JC Penny)
Not really stores but the Blue Boar Cafeterias
and Discovery Zone
And Chi-Chi's

http://www.trademarkia.com/services/home_logo.ashx?sid=73427198&size=200

http://rpmedia.ask.com/ts?u=/wikipedia/en/thumb/3/36/Twoguyslogo.png/200px-Twoguyslogo.png

So Waldenbooks is owned by Borders who also bought a local chain here called Hawley-Cooke, Borders declared bankruptcy and closed a lot of stories

Yes, including some of them near me. So in late February, when the Borders nearest me was closing down and liquidating, I went over there and made sure I used up my giftcards. I also remember Waldenbooks; that was a great store; I would go to the ones at the shopping malls a lot during the 90's.




FYE owned Suncoast which for those who don't know FYE mostly focused on music while Suncoast was the place for movies, porn and movie and TV based action figures. You could also get some imported hentai and Japanese candy and snacks and posters at a higher availability than you could(and can) at FYE. FYE closed the Suncoast stores for reasons i don't know and neither did most of the employees of either store. FYE then poorly picked up the slack of Suncoast. The ones here don't carry near the amount of any type of movie, or toys. And I think it was a bad idea to close the stores. Also FYE is usually blue and bright while Suncoast used a lot of black and red neon.

I remember the Suncoast stores too.




I don't know about you but I remember
Roadrunner video,
Pizza Magia,
HQ(Home Quarters Warehouse)
Winn-Dixie,
Discovery channel stores(which don't exist here atleast)
There was a hobby store like the Something-To-Do store
Lazurus
Bacon's
Levy's(Hardware store)
I'm guessing Value City(recent as well. we have a Value City furniture store but the department side was sold to JC Penny)
Not really stores but the Blue Boar Cafeterias
and Discovery Zone
And Chi-Chi's

None of these ring a bell, though. :-\\

I got my first CDs and movies at Suncoast/Sam Goody back in the day.  8)

http://toestubber.com/g012410/dick-lewis-b.jpg

Dick Lewis Is Watching. Newmark And Lewis.

I got my first CDs and movies at Suncoast/Sam Goody back in the day.  8)


Me too.  My very first CD was Madonna's "Keep It Together" maxi-single, I got it at Sam Goody.

Me too.  My very first CD was Madonna's "Keep It Together" maxi-single, I got it at Sam Goody.

Oh yes, I remember Sam Goody stores as well. Great times. I shopped there on occasion.

Oh yes, I remember Sam Goody stores as well. Great times. I shopped there on occasion.


I used to get all my cheap CDs and cassette tapes for low prices there.

I used to get all my cheap CDs and cassette tapes for low prices there.


Redunancy is the spice of life.

Redunancy is the spice of life.
Redundancy changes everything

I used to get all my cheap CDs and cassette tapes for low prices there.

I would also get some of said items from Tower Records...another chain store that is no longer in business.

I slightly remember Sam Goody.

None of these ring a bell, though. :-\\

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Home_Quarters_Warehouse
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Winn-Dixie
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lazarus_%28department_store%29
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bacon%27s bought by Dillards who was bought by JC Penny's
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Value_City although some furniture stores are still open. They where the first dept store to stop selling bike s and toys.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Blue_Boar_Cafeterias
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Discovery_Zone
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chi-chi%27s
http://www.bizjournals.com/louisville/stories/2005/07/18/story3.htmlPizza Magia info
Can't find info on RoadRunner Video but it was a movie rental place that closed when blockbuster started getting popular.
http://www.dmnews.com/discovery-channel-closes-stores-for-e-commerce-focus/article/95621/

I can certainly add C&A (clothing), Ourprice (media) and Woolworths (all purpose) to the list, though admittedly Woolworths is continuing as an internet based store only.

I can certainly add C&A (clothing), Ourprice (media) and Woolworths (all purpose) to the list, though admittedly Woolworths is continuing as an internet based store only.




Plus Books Etc.

What's in a name?
http://www.datachondria.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/07/abandoned-store.jpg

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Home_Quarters_Warehouse
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Winn-Dixie
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lazarus_%28department_store%29
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bacon%27s bought by Dillards who was bought by JC Penny's
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Value_City although some furniture stores are still open. They where the first dept store to stop selling bike s and toys.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Blue_Boar_Cafeterias
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Discovery_Zone
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chi-chi%27s
http://www.bizjournals.com/louisville/stories/2005/07/18/story3.htmlPizza Magia info
Can't find info on RoadRunner Video but it was a movie rental place that closed when blockbuster started getting popular.
http://www.dmnews.com/discovery-channel-closes-stores-for-e-commerce-focus/article/95621/

Many thanks... and I clicked on all your links, and it seems that all those stores were based in other states, which is why I have likely not heard of them. So it appears that none of them had locations in California.

Some stores I hated to go in like Lazarus/Dillards/J.C. Penny but I still wish they were still here.

Some stores I hated to go in like Lazarus/Dillards/J.C. Penny but I still wish they were still here.

JCPenney is still around in major shopping malls in California. So are Macy's, Sears, and Nordstroms.

We used to have Robinsons-May but they went out of business. They'd started out as two independent stores, Robinsons and May Company, but they merged in early 1993 and remained that way for 15-16 years or so.

I don't know why I said JCPenny when they are still around. although Value City as a department store is gone, the ones left are now furniture stores. Circuit City is now an online store for hh greg or somebody and last year Smith's Furniture clossed down. Rocky Rococo's was gone about two or so years ago.

^ Oh yes, I remember Circuit City. They were a huge electronics chain. We had several locations in California but they all went out of business.

Thanks, Billzy.


Funny, all the Applebees in California (at least in southern Cal) are dying, and nothing is there to replace them.
Applebees are mildly popular in NJ.

I got my first CDs and movies at Suncoast/Sam Goody back in the day.  8)
Sam Goody used to have a store in RT 22 east in Springfield, New Jersey the state that I live in.

I think "Strauss Discount Auto" might have gone out of business.  In New Jersey they had a sign on the door of the stores for the employees not to work a few months ago. They filed for bankruptcy. Still the store in North Plainfield, NJ on Route 22 you pass by it and nobody is in there. Strauss was really one of the few auto stores around here for awhile but in the last several years there has been Napa, Advanced, and Pep Boys popping up. The main Strauss Store used to be in the strip mall on the Somerville Circle years ago like in the late 80's.

I remember May Company, it changed to Kaufmann's in like 1993 and to Macy's in 2006. I actually even recall when Dillard's was still called Higbee's in the Cleveland area and I was only 4 years old when that changed. Another obvious one is Hill's which was around until around the late '90s and changed to Ames which is completely out of business now. The Giant Eagle's in Cleveland I remember were called "Stop & Shop" until 1998 or so. There was also Finast (my mom used to work there), it became Tops in the late '90s and left the Cleveland area around the mid-late '00s. Another amazing thing I remember is when the SOHIO gas stations in the Cleveland area all changed to BP, this is like around 1991-1992 when I was extremely young but I have a good memory.

I remember May Company, it changed to Kaufmann's in like 1993 and to Macy's in 2006. I actually even recall when Dillard's was still called Higbee's in the Cleveland area and I was only 4 years old when that changed. Another obvious one is Hill's which was around until around the late '90s and changed to Ames which is completely out of business now. The Giant Eagle's in Cleveland I remember were called "Stop & Shop" until 1998 or so. There was also Finast (my mom used to work there), it became Tops in the late '90s and left the Cleveland area around the mid-late '00s. Another amazing thing I remember is when the SOHIO gas stations in the Cleveland area all changed to BP, this is like around 1991-1992 when I was extremely young but I have a good memory.
We had BP stations pop up here in New Jersey in the mid 2000's. I guess BP bought Amoco because all the Amoco Stations were suddenly BP Stations!

Alexander's Supermarkets
http://www.maple-leafnh.com/portfolio/s32.jpg

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3590/3326188157_3c9b79050d.jpg

So what do you get if you have a dead mall and a gazillion-dollar hosting company in need of some room to grow?

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5GHOfcBVjuo

You get a spiral slide instead of an elevator!

The Windsor Park Mall's last tenant closed in 2005, the mall served as temporary shelter for hurricanes Katrina and Rita, but by 2011 had been reborn after having been converted into 300,000 square feet of office space for Rackspace's San Antonio, TX, headquarters.

Sorry if it has already been mentioned:
http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/8/89/BenFranklinStore.jpg/250px-BenFranklinStore.jpg

Loved this store as a kid. We didn't have Wal-Mart we had Ben's.

Sorry if it has already been mentioned:
http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/8/89/BenFranklinStore.jpg/250px-BenFranklinStore.jpg

Loved this store as a kid. We didn't have Wal-Mart we had Ben's.


I remember Ben Franklin too.  We had some of those stores up in NH. 

Costello was the champion
At the St.Moritz Hotel
And the best this side of Fairfax
Reliable sources tell
But his reputation is at large
And he's at Ben Frank's every day
Waiting for the one that got away

-- Tom Waits

Okay I was real young when suncoast was sam goody. I remember it now. Suncoast was owned by FYE. Fye closed them so they could focus on one store- which is sad because fye never really picked up the slack of suncoast. At sucoast at least in its later years was mainly movie and tv and toys, especially anime stuff, hentai and porn. Fye was and really still is mostly music. I was saving up to get Hack&Slash Reboot figures before they closed them. Makes me mad.

I thought of two hobby stores that arent aroud, but cant remember their names.

I remember May Company, it changed to Kaufmann's in like 1993 and to Macy's in 2006. I actually even recall when Dillard's was still called Higbee's in the Cleveland area and I was only 4 years old when that changed. Another obvious one is Hill's which was around until around the late '90s and changed to Ames which is completely out of business now. The Giant Eagle's in Cleveland I remember were called "Stop & Shop" until 1998 or so. There was also Finast (my mom used to work there), it became Tops in the late '90s and left the Cleveland area around the mid-late '00s. Another amazing thing I remember is when the SOHIO gas stations in the Cleveland area all changed to BP, this is like around 1991-1992 when I was extremely young but I have a good memory.

...and May Company in California changed to Robinsons-May (merging with Robinsons department store) in early 1993, and went bust 15 years later. Some of the RM stores, particularly those in enclosed shopping malls, got replaced with Macy's or other anchor stores, like Target.

Sorry if it has already been mentioned:
http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/8/89/BenFranklinStore.jpg/250px-BenFranklinStore.jpg

Loved this store as a kid. We didn't have Wal-Mart we had Ben's.

We had a crafts store by that name in California back in the 90's, but they went outta business circa 2000. :-\\

http://www.middletownusa.com/images/blockbuster.jpg

Not all Blockbusters are closed.

Not all Blockbusters are closed.


Well, they said about 300 might be closed.

Well, they said about 300 might be closed.

Some of those stores that closed are in California, because I've notice they've been disappearing during the past few years or so.

All of the stores in my area are closed.  Actually we only have a hand full of video stores around. 

All of the stores in my area are closed.  Actually we only have a hand full of video stores around.

Is this for Blockbuster? Or which franchises?

Is this for Blockbuster? Or which franchises?


Blockbuster has closed stores but not sure which ones.  ???

http://www.trademarkia.com/logo-images/m-h-lamston/lamstons-73427198.jpg

This used my favorite small department store but they closed up in 1986 after they went bankrupt.

Blockbuster has closed stores but not sure which ones.  ???

I know they have. I was just trying to get some clarification on Tashlovglit's post.

Zellers Canada went under just a few weeks ago.  My store actually closed at the end of March this year because the lease hadn't been picked up by Target.

Zellers Canada went under just a few weeks ago.  My store actually closed at the end of March this year because the lease hadn't been picked up by Target.


All the Zellers around us became Walmart's or Target's. I think it's the 1st time Target has been in Canada. I've shopped there in America a few times, so I know of the store.

All the Zellers around us became Walmart's or Target's. I think it's the 1st time Target has been in Canada. I've shopped there in America a few times, so I know of the store.

That's good; Target is a huge chain store in the US, as there are plenty of them around, even in shopping malls. In fact, the Minnesota Twins' current home stadium is named for the corporation, as its headquarters are in Minneapolis.

All the Zellers around us became Walmart's or Target's. I think it's the 1st time Target has been in Canada. I've shopped there in America a few times, so I know of the store.

I don't know what's going to happen to the store at our mall? Someone on our mall's facebook page said that our store's lease is being picked up by Big Lots so we'll see if they rehire all of the people from our store that got laid off.  :(
My mother said that she saw someone taking the Zellers sign down when she went into Office Depot.

If I read correctly about the Target-Zellers acquisition, not all Zellers stores will become Target.  A few will still remain Zellers stores, the rest will just close completely.

The one in my city is gonna be a Target.  They already got the logo and bullseye up.  I wonder if the Target dog will appear for the grand opening?

http://tammybruce.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/01/TargetDog2.jpg

If I read correctly about the Target-Zellers acquisition, not all Zellers stores will become Target.  A few will still remain Zellers stores, the rest will just close completely.

The one in my city is gonna be a Target.  They already got the logo and bullseye up.  I wonder if the Target dog will appear for the grand opening?

http://tammybruce.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/01/TargetDog2.jpg


The one in my town wasn't even considered for a Target.  :( Supposedly because there wasn't enough room for a refridgeration section.  BULL! They didn't want to compete with with the Wal-Mart and the Winners across the street.

Here are some that should be familiar to people who lived in the LA area in the 1980's.

http://www.licoricepizza.com/images/LP-billboard.jpg
This was a chain of used record stores.

http://www.tenerewilliams.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/07/Pic-of-Fedco.jpg
This was a chain of membership stores, only open to government employees.  BOught by Target in the late 1990's and closed.

http://images.citysearch.net/assets/imgdb/b0/97/7f/37/f3/a2/ae/a2/a6/f0/5f/ff/89/f1/df/4c/1/6/7/9/5761679.JPG
A chain of go-cart tracks, also long gone.

http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-6XV0sZt4Fqw/UDPcOj3CYKI/AAAAAAAAAQE/HFaf756vC3I/s1600/02_galleria_top_floor.jpg
The Sherman Oaks Galleria, known to Valley Girls everywhere.  Also famous from Fast Times At Ridgemont High and Terminator fans.  Largely vacant in 1998, gutted in 1999 and now is an office building complex with a cineplex.

http://www.happyitis.biz/images/Farrellsnorthwest.jpg
Farrell's was a chain of ice cream shops in the LA area, famous for gut busting items known as the "Trough" and "the "Zoo".  All gone by the mid-1980's.

I remember my Grandma talking about Fedco.

I remember my Grandma talking about Fedco.

We had one in our area too; it was where we bought our first remote-controlled TV, in early 1989. That place has since turned into a Target.

http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-6XV0sZt4Fqw/UDPcOj3CYKI/AAAAAAAAAQE/HFaf756vC3I/s1600/02_galleria_top_floor.jpg
The Sherman Oaks Galleria, known to Valley Girls everywhere.  Also famous from Fast Times At Ridgemont High and Terminator fans.  Largely vacant in 1998, gutted in 1999 and now is an office building complex with a cineplex.


A construction/renovation project I know all too well, having passed by it a lot (either on Ventura Blvd. or on the I-405 freeway). When it was being gutted in the late 90's, I honestly thought they were gonna tear it all down...but I heard they were going to turn it mostly into a cineplex, like you said.

One of my most memorable memories of that mall is when I attended a spelling bee there in May of 1989 (ten years before it closed down for that huge renovation project). I was in the third grade, and one of maybe 140 kids from various schools in the greater L.A. area... and the contest was held in the evening, and since there were so many kids, we each had to wait a long time for our next word. But as more kids dropped out, we didn't have to wait as long. I breezed through many of the words I was given, but when they gave me the word "celebrity", I actually had the right spelling in mind, but it didn't sound 100% right to me...so I decided to bail out. That was the only time I was in a spelling bee that I did not win.

A construction/renovation project I know all too well, having passed by it a lot (either on Ventura Blvd. or on the I-405 freeway). When it was being gutted in the late 90's, I honestly thought they were gonna tear it all down...but I heard they were going to turn it mostly into a cineplex, like you said.

One of my most memorable memories of that mall is when I attended a spelling bee there in May of 1989 (ten years before it closed down for that huge renovation project). I was in the third grade, and one of maybe 140 kids from various schools in the greater L.A. area... and the contest was held in the evening, and since there were so many kids, we each had to wait a long time for our next word. But as more kids dropped out, we didn't have to wait as long. I breezed through many of the words I was given, but when they gave me the word "celebrity", I actually had the right spelling in mind, but it didn't sound 100% right to me...so I decided to bail out. That was the only time I was in a spelling bee that I did not win.


Well, I probably spent far to much time there in the early 1980's.  Had a buddy that worked at the Sega Center, so could always waste time in there.  I even remember watching this young girl singing on a stage on the first floor in the center area.  She sounded good, and I remembered her bright red hair.

Little did I know that a few years later everybody knew "Tiffany".

When I heard it was going to close, a buddy and I went over to see what was going on the last week.  We walked all through the place, and the last remaining store was the Hallmark on the third floor next to the theatre (just to the right of the photo).  I went back after it reopened, and was shocked.

On an interesting side note, I went to the Tower Records shortly after that, when Tiffany was making an appearance.  I got her to sign my copy of her new CD, but she would not sign my copy of Playboy with her photo spread.  :D

Well, I probably spent far to much time there in the early 1980's.  Had a buddy that worked at the Sega Center, so could always waste time in there.  I even remember watching this young girl singing on a stage on the first floor in the center area.  She sounded good, and I remembered her bright red hair.

Little did I know that a few years later everybody knew "Tiffany".

When I heard it was going to close, a buddy and I went over to see what was going on the last week.  We walked all through the place, and the last remaining store was the Hallmark on the third floor next to the theatre (just to the right of the photo).  I went back after it reopened, and was shocked.

On an interesting side note, I went to the Tower Records shortly after that, when Tiffany was making an appearance.  I got her to sign my copy of her new CD, but she would not sign my copy of Playboy with her photo spread.  :D

Impressive! You must have also lived in that area at the time?


Ah, Tower Records...another store that is pretty much gone. I used to go there a lot with my family as a kid in the 80's and early-mid 90's.

Impressive! You must have also lived in that area at the time?

Ah, Tower Records...another store that is pretty much gone. I used to go there a lot with my family as a kid in the 80's and early-mid 90's.


Oh yea, I lived in Van Nuys during the height of the Valley Girl craze.

And there is no "pretty much gone" about Tower Records.  They have been gone for 6 years now, out of business in 2006.

http://farm1.staticflickr.com/109/271353095_d390187c20.jpg
From their Sunset location.

And another that is gone:

http://farm6.staticflickr.com/5145/5763119090_6255565245_z.jpg

Before Lowe's and Home Depot, we had Builders Emporium".

Here is a double-header:

http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_awWJ0E2qtFk/TA1Da-gKZBI/AAAAAAAAA7k/wikF0L6vvPM/s1600/thriftys123.jpg

Thrifty's is gone, only to live as an ice cream counter in some Rite Aid stores.  With a sign for another thing of the past, Blue Chip stamps.

http://photos.cinematreasures.org/production/photos/56947/1348814467/large.jpg?1348814467

I went to this for years, now long gone.  In fact, finding any theatres of this type is rare anymore.

Anyone remember Korvettes Department Store?

http://kickinthecornflakes.files.wordpress.com/2012/05/korvettes.jpg

I sure would like to know who thought it was a great idea to sell K-Mart's stores up here?

http://kmcalumni.ca/corner.jpg


http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/7/74/Simpsons_in_Toronto.jpg/220px-Simpsons_in_Toronto.jpg

Simpsons Canada LTD that got absorbed by HBC.  This is where Today's Special was filmed.

Oh yea, I lived in Van Nuys during the height of the Valley Girl craze.

And there is no "pretty much gone" about Tower Records.  They have been gone for 6 years now, out of business in 2006.

http://farm1.staticflickr.com/109/271353095_d390187c20.jpg

So that would technically be 7 years sometime this year. I thought they were all gone sometime during the 2000s decade. We even had a thread about the franchise which is probably buried far down by now. Thanks.

I know Van Nuys quite well; in fact, I know all the communities that make up the San Fernando Valley; I grew up there. (So did my parents, although my dad was born in Iowa; he came to California while still a little boy and primarily grew up in Canoga Park.)

http://assets.nydailynews.com/polopoly_fs/1.472694.1314632470!/img/httpImage/image.jpg_gen/derivatives/article_970/alg-pathmark-jpg.jpg
http://www.samedaysignstore.net/store/ProdImages/80404-lg.gif

For those who don't know, this is or was The Pathmark that I was working at. ↑

http://assets.nydailynews.com/polopoly_fs/1.472694.1314632470!/img/httpImage/image.jpg_gen/derivatives/article_970/alg-pathmark-jpg.jpg
http://www.samedaysignstore.net/store/ProdImages/80404-lg.gif

For those who don't know, this is or was The Pathmark that I was working at. ↑

Where you worked recently? What are you going to do now?  :(

Where you worked recently? What are you going to do now?  :(


Don't worry Katana, It's now Stop N Shop and yes I still work there. :)

http://www.floridapanther.com/archived/Sam_Goody_Nashville.jpg

http://www.floridapanther.com/archived/Sam_Goody_Nashville.jpg

A great music store that was. Just about every shopping mall in my area had one of those stores.

http://www.calgary-city-maps.com/images/Music_World_Logo.jpg

A great music store that was. Just about every shopping mall in my area had one of those stores.


It was.  I miss record stores. 

It was.  I miss record stores.


I miss them too.

It was.  I miss record stores.

Nowdays if you want to buy a physical item of recorded music (usually a CD) you'll have to go to a store with an electronics department (such as Best Buy).

http://iwantmore.files.wordpress.com/2008/09/208414177_l.jpg?w=300&h=181

This place should be defunct within the next 5-10 years,It has been open since 1986,they sell old 45's,cassettes,vinyls,I mean really nobody buys old 45's anymore.This was my favorite place to go to for a cheap cassette or CD but unfortunately they're gonna have to change or close down the business,that's my opinion.They could renovate all they want but it's not going to help.


I've been shopping around for vinyls since last year Howard and vinyl is making a comeback in a very big way.

I've been shopping around for vinyls since last year Howard and vinyl is making a comeback in a very big way.


I was referring to the shop Breakdown Records, it had to shut down it's services cause people lost interest in the place and after almost 30 years it said goodbye.

http://peoriachronicle.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/01/Waldenbooks.jpg

http://peoriachronicle.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/01/Waldenbooks.jpg

Oh yes, Waldenbooks! Another bookstore chain that was found in shopping malls. I used to go to them all the time during the 90's.

http://www.gg-architect.com/wp-content/uploads/05-Pathmark.jpg
I guess you would call it defunct now.

We used to have a grocery store chain in Nebraska called "Hinky Dinky."  ::) ;D

http://i149.photobucket.com/albums/s78/AL-B_photos/hinkydinky_zpsexbdqgrg.jpg

http://www.gg-architect.com/wp-content/uploads/05-Pathmark.jpg
I guess you would call it defunct now.


I miss when they had Pathmark stores all over New York. Especially where I live.

Anybody remember Pantorama and d'galla stores that sold Roberto jeans?

https://s3.amazonaws.com/pictpl/380aeca9-f608-288b-b16a-42b3cbb931d7.jpg

I miss when they had Pathmark stores all over New York. Especially where I live.



I know, I miss them too.  :(

Circuit City

I remember back in the day when they used to sell appliances.  My dad bought all the appliances from there back in the day.  I also remember when they first started selling CD's and later movies. 

Local stores that I miss:
Ayr-Way
Zayres
G.C. Murphy and Murphy Mart
L. S. Ayres
Block's
Woolworth And Woolco
Preston's
Del Farm Foods (they use to have a bingo game similar to pull-tabs and was a precursor to the Lottery scratch-offs and McDonald's Monopoly game)

And I now add H.H. Gregg and Marsh's Supermarkets to that list. At least Marsh is barely breathing.

A great music store that was. Just about every shopping mall in my area had one of those stores.

I have fond memories of that and a place called Believe In Music. FYE and Best Buy just aren't the same. The former had an atmosphere the other two don't.

Did anyone hear about Sunrise Record's aquisition of all of the HMV stores that were located in mall locations in Canada?

I have fond memories of that and a place called Believe In Music. FYE and Best Buy just aren't the same. The former had an atmosphere the other two don't.

That's nice. However, Believe In Music and FYE are two franchises that I'm not familiar with. However, I did look 'em up online...only to find that they don't really have any locations in California (hence my unfamiliarity with them).

That's nice. However, Believe In Music and FYE are two franchises that I'm not familiar with. However, I did look 'em up online...only to find that they don't really have any locations in California (hence my unfamiliarity with them).

FYE is in other states too. It's a mall store.

FYE is in other states too. It's a mall store.

yep, I guess certain mall stores exist in only certain parts of the U.S.

yep, I guess certain mall stores exist in only certain parts of the U.S.

I would guess most of them are national, but oh well there's always online.

Did anyone hear about Sunrise Record's aquisition of all of the HMV stores that were located in mall locations in Canada?


Not all of the HMV locations became Sunrise.  The one at my local shopping mall became a music/movie store called Now and Then, which is owned by the same people who run the last remaining Sam the Record Man. 

I miss HMV, but with Now and Then, Sunrise and Sam the Record Man, I can still get that same shopping experience that I had with HMV.  Granted, I have to drive 45 minutes to get to the latter two, but it makes for a good road trip lol

Will Toys R Us be added to the list now?

Will Toys R Us be added to the list now?


I think they will but I think for now most stores may be open.

Funcoland. My mom and Liz (our neighbors' daughter) took me there to buy a Genesis and Sonic for it. Along the way, Liz bought me my Sonic doll, which I still have.

Might as well add KMart to the list, Every single one in Louisville(probably all of ky) is now gone.

Younkers is soon to be defunct too. They're holding going out of business sales now.

Carpetright, in the UK, is on it's way out.

Interesting topic.  Many of those retail chain stores from back in the day are now defunct. Growing up on the East Coast in the '80's, I very clearly remember Zayre's & Memco. Zayre's was kind of a dumpy department store, but I do remember them having some cool stuff. Memco was the first department store I remember going to that had a grocery store - as well as also selling clothes, toys, etc. Later, the Memco near me became "Bradlees", and it wasn't as good - or sold nearly as much variety.

Sears seems to be on it's way out.  Too bad, since they were huge 20-30 years ago.  I most recently went to Sears to buy a new refrigerator about 5 years ago, and the store was practically empty.  That store has since been torn down.

That being said, I don't miss shopping at retail stores whatsoever. Several points:

1) These days, I really like the convenience of online shopping - it's the best thing since sliced bread! Also, there is the time factor as well. When I was younger I had more time to go shopping at these brick & mortar stores. In recent years, however, my job & other issues have resulted in my having less free time; I also hate driving. So, online shipping is a godsend - given that the items are delivered right to your door without much effort on your part.

However, even if you want to frequent brick & mortar stores for items, you can't always find them around anymore. For example, I used to be a huge music fan & would buy CD's on a regular basis. And, I would go out of my way to frequent a particular store that carried both used & new CD's; their prices were comparable to Amazon re: new CD's. However, this place closed down a couple of years ago & so there are now very few places around that carry the older CD's I want (i.e., music from the '60's - '90's). So, in some cases you have to go online to buy this material - even if that's not your first choice.

2.) Going along with this, earlier this week I had to go shopping for food in the evening, and had to stand in line for quite some time at the register (it was an especially busy night). Though there's no real easy way to shop for food online (especially if it's perishable), it's a hassle & so I'm glad I've been able to cut back on having to shop at other brick & mortar stores - due to being able to shop online.

3.) As a huge movie fan, I love the convenience of streaming & don't miss video rental stores in the least. I have not-so-fond memories of renting VHS tapes from video stores like Blockbuster in the '80's & '90's, and DVD's from there in the 200X's.

Thankfully, I don't think I've walked into a video rental store since around 2010. The Blockbusters & Hollywood Videos near me closed around that time. The DVD's I used to rent from Blockbuster were scratched & unwatchable half the time, and when I complained the staff there had an attitude about it. Also, I hated those stupid Blockbuster late fees - you always had to rush back to the store to return DVD's/VHS tapes by a certain time or you would get charged. Towards the end, Blockbuster changed this - but you would still end up getting charged for something else if you returned the video late. Plus, at least once my local store told me I hadn't returned something, when I knew I had. Idiots.

4.) That all being said, as a self-proclaimed "mall rat" back in the '80's, I'm amazed at how much time I spent (wasted?!) going to the mall. I can't imagine spending any time there now - not that there are a lot of malls in my area anymore. I would consider it boring these days. Though, there is definitely some bittersweet nostalgia related to going to these malls during that era.

Now add Debenhams to the list, the retail store went into administration yesterday.

Will Toys R Us be added to the list now?

I think they will but I think for now most stores may be open.

And now, a year later, they might be. I dunno for sure.

Good read, I enjoy stuff like this.  I miss the Cherryland Mall, it was my entire time growing up, but it has always been difficult to find anything about it online.  There is an FYE in the Grand Traverse Mall, and that store is alive and well.  I disliked the Grand Traverse Mall from the day it opened and even wrote a paper about it in high school.  It had floor space but seemed generic and cold, it lacked the character of the Cherryland Mall.

Some stores I didn't see listed.

Witmark.  Last time I saw one I bought my dad a plush duck remote holder in the late 90s.  I got my first Walkman there (it recorded too).  Got my skateboard there ($40 Valterra, cheap knockoff that didn't live up to the cool kids who had Variflex, but it worked).  I remember the theme song "Witmark, Witmark, it's satisfaction".

Giantway.  My grandparents used to take my sister and I there to get cheap sandbox toys.  Last time I shopped at one was 1990 or 1991, we got some emergency rain gear to cover up our tent in a storm while camping.  I remember the commercials and newspaper ads with a 2 x 2 matrix of rectangles with store names at the bottom right corner.  Think it went Giantway, Ray's, Giant, and Midway.

We had a short lived Blockbuster here, but it arrived way late and didn't last long before they all folded.  Think I only went there once.  Our chain was Horizon Video, which eventually became Family Video, and is still king here.

Not a store but I see a lot of the Yogi Bear's Jellystone Parks disappearing too.  Not sure why, they were always booked up in the summer.  I loved that place when I was a kid, and thankfully I got to take my kid to one before it closed up.

Target stores went out of business in Canada pretty fast almost as soon as Hudson Bay found out that they weren't going to turn a profit as quickly as they thought they were going to.

Mothercare, a British retailer which specialises in products for expectant mothers and in general merchandise for children up to eight years of age, shutdown today. Debenhams left the High Street recently, and another retail store Beales is on the way out too.