10 Nostalgic Stores That Went Bankrupt
Many of the beloved stores from our childhood have closed their doors, leaving behind fond memories of shopping trips and favorite finds. These stores once thrived as popular destinations for toys, electronics, books, and more. However, changing retail landscapes and competition led to their decline. Let's take a nostalgic look at 10 of these cherished stores that have since gone out of business.
1. RadioShack™
Founded in Boston in 1921 by the Deutschmann brothers, RadioShack catered to ham radio operators and became a leading electronics retailer with 7,300 locations, boasting a store within three miles of most American homes. However, the company filed for bankruptcy in 2015 and again in 2017. While a few stores and its website remain, RadioShack is no longer the major retail presence it once was.
2. Blockbuster®
Founded in 1985, Blockbuster grew to over 9,000 locations as a popular video rental store for videos and DVDs. By 2013, the chain announced the closure of essentially all its stores. Today, only one Blockbuster store remains, located in Bend, Oregon.
3. Borders®
Founded in Michigan in 1971, Borders became a leading bookseller by the early 2000s. However, the rise of electronic book readers led to the closure of all 511 stores and the company's bankruptcy filing in 2011.
4. The Discovery Channel® Store
The Discovery Channel stores, which opened in 1995, offered educational products aligned with the channel's content, including games, gifts, videos, and books. By 2007, the Discovery Channel decided to close all 103 of its standalone stores to shift focus to online retail.
5. Tower Records®
Tower Records, founded in 1960 in Sacramento, California, specialized in records, CDs, tapes, and movies. Despite its popularity, the company filed for bankruptcy in 2004 and was completely liquidated by October 2006.
6. Toys 'R' Us®
Founded over 70 years ago, Toys "R" Us became the top retailer for toys, clothes, video games, and baby products in the U.S. Interestingly, it initially started as a children's furniture store. However, the rise of Amazon® and other online retailers led to its decline. In September 2017, Toys "R" Us filed for bankruptcy and began closing stores.
7. Wet Seal
Wet Seal headquarters in Foothill Ranch, California. Photo by Coolcaesar.
Wet Seal, a teen clothing store, was founded in Newport Beach, California, in 1962. The name originated from founder Lorne Huycke's comment during a fashion show, where he thought a model in a swimsuit looked like a "wet seal." The chain went bankrupt in 2015 and closed all its stores by 2017.
8. Sharper Image®
Founded in 1977 in San Francisco, Sharper Image was known for its consumer electronics and comfy massage chairs found in malls. The company filed for bankruptcy in 2008, closing all its stores.
9. Warner Bros.® Studio Store
Similar to Disney® stores, the Warner Bros. Studio stores sold "Looney Tunes" and other Warner Bros. film merchandise. Founded in 1991, the chain closed in 2001 following the AOL-Time Warner merger. Today, the only remaining physical stores are in China.
10. Sports Authority
Sports Authority, founded in 1928, grew to over 460 stores across the U.S. at its peak. However, competition from online and other physical retailers led to its bankruptcy filing in 2016. That same year, Dick's Sporting Goods® acquired the Sports Authority name and intellectual property through an auction.
Reflecting on these stores reminds us of the joy and excitement they brought to our childhoods. While they may no longer exist, the memories of shopping there will always hold a special place in our hearts.
Reference: 52 Iconic Stores You Grew up With That Are No Longer in Business
