Circuit City started in 1949 as Ward’s Company and saw a meteoric rise to prominence. By the '80s and '90s, they were *the* electronics go-to, giving Best Buy a run for their money. Their unique warehouse-style layout was quite the draw. But by the early 2000s, the company was in …
Those who didn't live Tower Records won't get it. Founded in 1960 in Sacramento, it became the go-to place for music. Rows upon rows of albums and the thrill of finding that rare vinyl... man, streaming services can't replicate that feeling. What happened? Digital music happened. Napster, iTunes, and the …
I can’t walk by a toy section without getting hit with a megawave of nostalgia for Toys ‘R’ Us. That was THE palace as a kid. Floor-to-ceiling toys, games, those mini Jeeps you wished you could drive home. RIP Geoffrey the Giraffe, no one's childhood should be without you. I …
Okay, let's talk about Blockbuster. Late fees aside, that blue and yellow sign was a beacon of weekend fun. Then Netflix had to come and ruin everything with their 'mail-order' DVDs and streaming. Blockbuster had the chance to buy Netflix once upon a time, but they laughed it off. Who's …
Seriously, every time I see someone crying over RadioShack being gone I'm like??? It was junk central. Overpriced cables and pushy salespeople. Learn to online shop, dinosaurs. It’s not rocket science. They died cuz they sucked, end of story. Don't @ me with nostalgia trippin', we’re better off without em.
Woolworth's ain't just a defunct store, it's a piece of American history. It's wild to think about how it was the Walmart before Walmart. But Woolworth's isn't just remembered for its five-and-dime legacy. Those lunch counters were the stages of significant civil rights protests—the sit-ins that became a driving force …
Just discovered this sub and had to post. KB Toys was my jam as a kid! Who else used to beg their parents to go in and then spend hours just staring at the toys? The place was a maze of fun. Like, every visit felt like a treasure hunt …
So y'all think Spotify’s playlists are great? Pfft. Sam Goody was where you *discovered* music. Rows upon rows of CDs and those 'listening stations' were your YouTube before YouTube. You could actually hold an album, read the liner notes, appreciate the art. Nowadays music's just a disposable click. Got no …
To the average joe, Borders closing down was just another retailer biting the dust. But its story is textbook biz tragedy. Borders revolutionized book shopping with their massive selection and comfy reading spots. They were pioneers in inventory management but stuck to physical media too long, underestimated eBooks, and waved …
Alright, hearing people only talk about renting movies from Blockbuster—it's like what about the video games, hello? Blockbuster was THE weekend hangout spot. You’d pace the aisles, reading the backs of cases, trying to decide which game to rent with your buds. Splurging on those extra 'keep it for another …
Suncoast Motion Picture Company – now that was an aesthetic. Rows of VHS shining under that dim cozy lighting, posters of the latest films, and that smell of popcorn mixed with new plastic. They curated a cinephile's paradise right in the mall. Their downfall? Well, we can thank digital downloads …
Late 90s and early 00s, Gadzooks was where it was at. You weren’t cool unless your wardrobe was 90% from there. The wide-leg jeans, branded tees, and that alt-rock blaring? Good times. It’s like the whole chain just evaporated. If I had a time machine, I’d stack up on their …
Worked at RadioShack in the late 90s when it was somehow still a thing. Got axed when they decided to toy with mobile phone kiosks. WTH was with those battery club cards? No one cared about those! Ridiculous to see them try coming back online only – who’s buying resistors …
Do you guys actually have anything to show these stores existed, or is this just an old people's conspiracy? Pics or it didn't happen. Bet most of you can't even find a real pic of a Borders bookstore. It’s all just a figment of your nostalgia. 😜
Yup, Woolworth’s. That was the heart of the downtown shopping district back in the day. But Woolworth's is now more than just a defunct store. The Greensboro sit-ins at a Woolworth’s lunch counter marked a pivotal moment in the civil rights movement. That counter now sits in the Smithsonian. Crazy …
CompUSA was where you went to ogle at the latest computer tech. Rows of PCs, laptops, software for days - it was heaven for a techie like me. Going under in 2007, they technically still survive online, but it's just a brand owned by TigerDirect now. Ain't no replacement for …
Y'all remember Blockbuster, right? Stumbled on one today, well, what used to be one. It's a dentist office now, but they kept the big blue ticket stub sign. Odd how something so small can flood you back with memories. Endless aisles of movies, that popcorn smell... Friday nights were lit …
Man, walking into a Zany Brainy used to be the highlight of my week as a kid. Shelves packed with educational toys and games I'd never seen anywhere else. And those big demo tables with all kinds of puzzles and science kits you could play with right there in the …
Let's take a minute to appreciate Circuit City. At its peak, it was a sanctuary for techies—a place where you could find cutting-edge electronics and killer deals during those legendary Black Friday rushes. They were a cornerstone of innovation, jumping on trends like e-commerce early with Divx discs (remember those?). …
Delia's was my teenage dream. All those catalogs with the funky clothes – I probably had half my wardrobe from them at one point. Then they decided stores were a good idea, which, spoiler, they weren't. Not enough peeps wanting to experience the 90s IRL I guess. They filed for …
Some of you might not get it, but Borders was more than a bookstore – it was a sanctuary. Those cozy armchairs, the smell of coffee and new books... The staff actually knew their stuff and recommended gems I’d never find on my own. Saturday mornings there were an escape. …
Remember Quiznos and those weird Spongmonkey mascots? 'We love the subs!' LOL. Those oven-toasted subs hit different, man. I'd kill for a classic Italian right now. Too bad they couldn't keep up in the sub race... Subway's just not the same :/
Worked my first job at KB Toys and man, do I miss that place. Was a part-time gig while in school, but it was pretty rad being around toys all the time. The holiday seasons were insane - place turned into a zoo. They couldn't keep up with Walmart and …
Here's the tea. Borders had it all. Comfy chairs, dope music selection, and coffee that actually tasted like coffee. Their reward program was legit, too. But they got too big too fast, and their online strategy was whack. (Who teams up with Amazon to sell their stuff? Come on!) They …
Anyone else miss Circuit City like crazy?? Back in the day, this was THE spot for picking up the latest tech and gadgets. Founded in 1949, it grew into a massive chain by the '90s. But I guess nothing good lasts forever, right? Competition from Best Buy and online retailers …
This was a special chain of photo studios and church directory making studios where you would ask a customer for a photo or a church directory and they would make it. There was one in Sears next to my house, and this is the last Olan Mills to remain in …
big sales and random toys nobody herd of. like walking into a treasure hunt. too bad they closed cuz of big store competition, shouldve known walmart would eat em up. anyways RIP K•Bee Toy, u were cool.