Major retail chains that no longer exist

Adwo // Shutterstock At the start of this decade, many of America’s beloved major retailers announced that they’d be closing their stores–Papyrus, Macy’s, Pier 1 Imports, JCPenney–the list goes on. It’s a pattern that recurs throughout retail history. Chains grow quickly and incur new expenses as they expand. Then they hit the limit of their funding and growth opportunities and downsize to manage their debt and restructuring. Some can recover. Many, however, end up filing for bankruptcy and/or getting bought out and eventually folding. It’s a familiar cycle. The economy improves, and the market becomes saturated with choice. When the economy slows, dips, and dives, very few can survive. With each cycle, stores that we thought would always be around, stores that defined our childhoods, even our parents’ childhoods, fizzle, fade, and become the stuff of retail history. Some are iconic brands like Tower Records, Thom McAn, and Kids “R” Us. Stacker reviewed a variety of sources to take a close look at various major retail chains that no longer exist. Many of these chains led the pack at one point in history. Many of them even paved the way for their competitors, who eventually overtook them. Blockbuster, for example, was the largest video retailer worldwide and was valued at $3 billion at its height. Now there’s only one Blockbuster store left on the planet: in Bend, Oregon. Other chains couldn’t keep up with the rise of e-commerce sites like Amazon. Sharper Image, for example, was once the only place where tech lovers could flock to play with high-end and niche gadgets. But then Amazon started selling similar products online. While it’s all part of evolution and Darwinian economics, the sad reality is that when these stores die, parts of our memories go with them. Still, it’s a lesson that most businesses must learn: adapt with the times, or be lost forever. Are you ready to see the top 50 major retailers that no longer exist? Keep reading to see if your favorites made the list. You may also like: Best big cities to live in America Ames Anthony92931 // Wikimedia Commons – Category: Department store – Year founded: 1958 – Year defunct: 2002 – Lifetime: 44 years Before there was Walmart–four years before, to be exact–there was Ames. The discount retailer used to sell a massive range of merchandise, including apparel, electronics, housewares, patio furniture, jewelry, and beyond. After 44 years of business, the corporation filed for bankruptcy, closing 327 stores and leaving 21,500 employees without jobs. Anchor Blue Monorail Orange // Wikimedia Commons – Category: Clothing – Year founded: 1972 – Year defunct: 2011 – Lifetime: 39 years Anchor Blue, a teen clothing chain launched in 1972, filed for bankruptcy in 2011 after 39 years of business. At its height, the chain had more than 300 stores in the United States. But it could not survive the 2009 economic downturn. By the time it closed, there were 117 stores, most of which were in California. BI-LO Nolichuckyjake // Shutterstock – Category: Grocery stores and supermarkets – Year founded: 1961 – Year defunct: 2021 – Lifetime: 60 years A former Winn-Dixie executive, Frank Outlaw, started the BI-LO supermarket chain in 1961 when he purchased four grocery stores in the Greenville, South Carolina area. Primarily located in the Southeast, BI-LO had hundreds of stores under its banner at its peak in the early 2000s but wound up announcing bankruptcy in 2018. After a substantial effort to restructure, the chain closed up its last locations in 2021. Blockbuster Pat Greenhouse/TheBoston Globe // Getty Images – Category: Video rental – Year founded: 1985 – Year defunct: 2014 – Lifetime: 29 years Founded in 1985, Blockbuster was once the entertainment giant of the world, with more than 65 million registered customers and more than 9,000 stores in the United States alone. But the rise of streaming services like Netflix began to eat away at its profits, and in 2014 Blockbuster filed for bankruptcy with more than $900 million in debt. Borders BrokenSphere // Wikimedia Commons – Category: Bookstore – Year founded: 1978 – Year defunct: 2011 – Lifetime: 33 years Back in 2011, Borders–a book and music megastore–had to close its 400 stores around the country when the company was liquidated. Unfortunately, much of Borders’ stock was CDs and DVDs, at the critical tipping point when everyone was starting to go digital. Borders also failed to develop an online store, while other retailers like Barnes & Noble moved into online sales. The last year Borders actually made a profit was 2006. You may also like: Can you guess these famous skylines? Builders Square Canva – Category: Home improvement – Year founded: 1970 – Year defunct: 1999 – Lifetime: 29 years When Home Depot and Menards came into the picture, the sun was setting on Builders Square, one of the original large-scale home improvement stores. In 2011, the company filed for Chapter 11 and liquidated its remaining 117 stores. Builders Square had been struggling for a few years before that and had been sold off by Kmart in 1997. Still, the company failed to turn a profit and eventually shut its doors. Century 21 Spencer Platt // Getty Images – Category: Department store – Year founded: 1961 – Year defunct: 2020 – Lifetime: 59 years Discount department store Century 21 was primarily located in the New York City area, though there were a handful of locations in other Eastern Seaboard locales. In 2020, thanks to diminished foot traffic brought about by the COVID-19 pandemic and poor e-commerce sales, the beloved chain filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy, devastating budget-bound fashionistas everywhere. Not all hope is lost, however, as the company announced in 2022 that it would be reopening its lower-Manhattan flagship store, albeit under a slightly different name–Century 21 NYC–meaning we might see the return of this designer giant after all. Circuit City Scott Olson // Getty Images – Category: Electronics – Year founded: 1949 – Year defunct: 2009 – Lifetime: 60 years Back in the 1970s and 1980s, Circuit City was on top of the electronics game. It helped to pioneer the big-box concept, making a one-stop shop for everything from televisions and stereos to refrigerators and automobiles, which spun off into CarMax. At its height, Circuit City had 1,520 stores across the United States and Canada. But in the 1990s, that began to change. CBS News analysis attributed this to stores becoming too big–and therefore too impersonal–and the fact that it stopped paying commissions to its sales team. When the financial crisis struck, Circuit City began closing stores and laying off its employees, eventually closing due to bankruptcy. CompUSA BRUCE BISPING/Star Tribune // Getty Images – Category: Electronics – Year founded: 1984 – Year defunct: 2012 – Lifetime: 28 years CompUSA, a consumer electronics retailer, ran into trouble in 2007 after prices dropped on its most lucrative product, personal computers. With the rise of stores like Best Buy, CompUSA struggled to make ends meet. It eventually filed for bankruptcy and sold its 103 stores. That is until the company made a brief comeback with a revamped sales approach, which also failed. It officially went out of business in 2012. Crazy Eddie SVEN NACKSTRAND/AFP // Getty Images – Category: Electronics – Year founded: 1971 – Year defunct: 2012 – Lifetime: 41 years Old-school New Yorkers will remember the tale of Crazy Eddie quite well. The commercial alone is legendary. What started as an electronics storefront in Brooklyn grew to become the largest commercial electronics store in the New York metropolitan area, in addition to 43 stores up and down the Eastern Seaboard. But mostly what New Yorkers remember is how it all came crashing down when Eddie Antar, the founder, was discovered to be skimming money and manipulating the stock market. He fled the country to Israel and was later extradited to the U.S., where he served seven years in prison. You may also like: Oldest cities in America Crown Books Canva – Category: Bookstore – Year founded: 1977 – Year defunct: 2001 – Lifetime: 24 years Crown Books, a book retailer known for its deep discounts, came onto the scene in Maryland in 1977, and subsequently began to expand all over the country. Over the years, due to the death of its parent company and family drama between the owners, Crown Books went through a series of bankruptcies and was completely out of business by 2001. Delia’s Michael Brown // Getty Images – Category: Drug store – Year founded: 1898 – Year defunct: 2007 – Lifetime: 109 years For more than 100 years, Eckerd’s was much more than a household name. It started in 1898 in Erie, Pennsylvania, when J. Milton Eckerd opened his first store. Over time, the empire had more than 2,000 stores in 20 states. In 2007, Rite-Aid Corporation acquired Eckerd’s and converted its stores to Rite-Aids in the quest to be the country’s largest drugstore chain, competing with Walgreens and CVS. You may also like: Comparing minimum wage to the cost of living in every state Family Video Eric Glenn // Shutterstock – Category: Video rental – Year founded: 1978 – Year defunct: 2022 – Lifetime: 44 years When Family Video finally went out of business in 2022, it was the last remaining brick-and-mortar media retail chain in the country. Located primarily in more rural towns and mid-sized cities, initially to avoid competition with Blockbuster, the company had managed to survive for so long because it owned all of the land and buildings its shops were built on and in. It also had worked hard to diversify its offerings, at one point even partnering with a pizza brand to give customers a one-stop-shop for their night in. Like many other businesses on our list, Family Video blamed the pandemic for its failure, citing the lack of foot traffic and fewer movie releases as major problems. Frank’s Nursery & Crafts Canva – Category: Home decor and craft stores – Year founded: 1957 – Year defunct: 2004 – Lifetime: 47 years Frank’s Nursery & Crafts, one of the country’s largest lawn and garden retailers, was founded in 1957 in Detroit. The store stocked its shelves with live plants, fertilizers, and garden tools. But, a weakening economy took its toll on the chain, which at the time of its closing operated 169 stores in 14 states. It filed for bankruptcy in 2004 after listing $141 million in debt and failing to find a loan to bail it out. Friedman’s Canva – Category: Jewelry – Year founded: 1920 – Year defunct: 2008 – Lifetime: 88 years The Oklahoma jewelry chain Friedman’s Jewelers was founded in 1920 and remained a family-run business until 1990. It had 20 stores across the state. But for a few years before closing, the company had experienced financial instability and allegations of wrongdoing, including a slew of civil lawsuits. Friedman’s filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection in 2005. Golfsmith Michael N. Todaro/Golfsmith // Getty Images – Category: Sports – Year founded: 1967 – Year defunct: 2016 – Lifetime: 49 years Once the largest golf retailer in the country, and the world, Golfsmith International filed for bankruptcy due to a multi-million dollar mountain of debt. When it filed under Chapter 11, the chain had 109 stores in the United States. Gottschalks Mrwrite // Wikimedia Commons – Category: Department store – Year founded: 1904 – Year defunct: 2009 – Lifetime: 105 years One of the biggest department store chains in America, Gottschalks ended its 105-year legacy with a court-ordered liquidation. Founded by Emil Gottschalk, a German immigrant in 1904, Gottschalks had 58 department stores in the Western U.S. When it folded, the company had somewhere between $100 million and $500 million in debt and up to 25,000 creditors. You may also like: How much the typical home cost in your state in 1950 Hollywood Video Craig Mitchelldyer // Getty Images – Category: Video rental – Year founded: 1988 – Year defunct: 2010 – Lifetime: 22 years Hollywood Video was yet another Netflix casualty. Falling victim to losing customers thanks to the rise of DVDs through the mail and streaming sites, Hollywood Video closed its 1,900 remaining stores in 2010. The company reported debts between $500 million and $1 billion when it made the decision. Hudson’s Bettmann // Getty Images – Category: Department store – Year founded: 1881 – Year defunct: 2001 – Lifetime: 120 years The J.L. Hudson Company, aka Hudson’s, was a Detroit legend. Opened in 1911 by Joseph Lowthian Hudson, the iconic Detroit department store was an anchor for the then-thriving city. At the time, it was the second-biggest department store in America, second only to Macy’s in New York. Hudson’s was also the tallest department store in the world at one time. Over the years, however, Detroit’s population began to dwindle as the economy of the city declined. As the people faded away, so did Hudson’s, including stores in the suburbs and elsewhere around the nation. The flagship store closed in January 1983 after 102 years in business. The building stood empty until 1998 when it was demolished, ending an era for Detroit. Just for Feet MarkBuckawicki // Wikimedia Commons – Category: Shoes – Year founded: 1977 – Year defunct: 2004 – Lifetime: 27 years Just For Feet was one of the original superstores in America. Founded by Harold Ruttenberg, the first store opened in 1988 in Birmingham, Alabama, offering a massive selection of athletic shoes at deeply-discounted prices. The brand began to expand like wildfire. Just for Feet was named America’s sixth-fastest-growing company by Fortune magazine in 1997. In 1999, Ruttenberg scored an enviable time slot for a Super Bowl ad, but the commercial that ran was so culturally and racially insensitive that it spiraled into a host of image issues for Just for Feet. The company was forced to file for Chapter 11, and its assets were sold in 2000. Kaufmann’s Ildar Sagdejev // Wikimedia Commons – Category: Housewares and accessories – Year founded: 1975 – Year defunct: 2008 – Lifetime: 33 years Linens ‘n Things was a popular niche retailer that sold household items. At its height, it had 589 stores all over the country. Its demise was caused by a variety of things, including a decline in housing sales, higher prices for goods made in China, and the burden of paying $650 million in debt. By 2008, the company had filed a reorganization plan but was forced to have a liquidation sale. Marshall Field’s Jerry Cleveland/The Denver Post // Getty Images – Category: Department store – Year founded: 1949 – Year defunct: 2009 – Lifetime: 60 years What started as a single department store in San Lorenzo, California, erupted into a West Coast empire. Selling work pants and school clothes, the department store was frequented by middle-class families. At its peak, Mervyn’s had 300 stores in 16 states. Eventually, owner Mervin Morris sold the name to Dayton Hudson, which is where the downfall began. The new owner couldn’t keep up with changing economic times and declared bankruptcy in 2008. You may also like: Best lake towns to live in Modell’s Sporting Goods Nick22aku // Wikimedia Commons – Category: Casual clothing – Year founded: 1985 – Year defunct: 2009 – Lifetime: 24 years In 2008, Steve & Barry’s was forced to shut down. The company was known for its substantially low prices. After filing for bankruptcy and being sold to investment firms for $168 million, the new owners also filed for bankruptcy, and a plan was put in motion to liquidate its 173 stores. The Limited Canva – Category: Clothing – Year founded: 1957 – Year defunct: 2017 – Lifetime: 60 years When it came to women’s casual clothing and workwear, The Limited was one of those at the top, with more than 750 stores all over the U.S. The Limited also acquired Victoria’s Secret and Abercrombie & Fitch and launched the wildly popular teen store, Limited Too. But with the rise of e-commerce sites and fast fashion brands, stores like The Limited struggled. Eventually, it had to close its remaining 250 stores, lay off its workers, and file for bankruptcy. You may also like: Best small towns to live in across America Thom McAn Angus B. McVicar/Wisconsin Historical Society // Getty Images – Category: Shoes – Year founded: 1922 – Year defunct: 1996 – Lifetime: 74 years It was once “America’s shoe store.” For 74 years, Thom McAn was a favorite for reasonably priced footwear. In fact, when it was founded in 1922, it was designed as a place to sell nice shoes for $3. But with the rise of shopping malls and trendier stores, Thom McAn’s numbers dwindled. A restructuring plan saw the brand change the name of its remaining stores to Footaction while the rest folded. Tower Records Chris Walter/Wire Image // Getty Images – Category: Music – Year founded: 1960 – Year defunct: 2006 – Lifetime: 46 years Many Americans’ youth was defined by Tower Records. The legendary music store was a trailblazer in the industry, with stores all over the country, each curated by the on-site staff. Their collections were highly localized and packed with passion. But with the rise of online music and discount chains like Best Buy, Tower’s prices were undercut and sales began to suffer. The chain lost money 13 quarters in a row. In 2006, it declared bankruptcy for the second time. Tweeter Ildar Sagdejev // Wikimedia Commons – Category: Electronics – Year founded: 1972 – Year defunct: 2008 – Lifetime: 36 years Tweeter was a consumer electronics retailer founded in 1972 and known for its TVs, radios, and home theater systems. It was also the company that held the naming rights to the concert venue the Tweeter Center, which is now the Xfinity Center outside Boston. With the presence of electronics and bargain retailers like Best Buy and Walmart, Tweeter’s profits began to suffer. By June 2007, it filed for bankruptcy, and by 2008, all of its stores were closed. Virgin Megastores KMazur/WireImage for Epic Records // Getty Images – Category: Entertainment – Year founded: 1992 – Year defunct: 2007 – Lifetime: 15 years The first Virgin Megastore opened in the 1970s in London. It was because of Virgin Megastore that Richard Branson became a household name. Come 2005, it was reported that the music retailer had lost almost $340 million in the previous two years, and was only staying afloat due to loans. Branson sold the chain in 2007. In 2009, the final Megastores in operation, in New York and San Francisco, folded. Waldenbooks Tim Boyle // Getty Images – Category: Bookstore – Year founded: 1933 – Year defunct: 2011 – Lifetime: 78 years Waldenbooks originally opened in 1933 as a lending library, to boost morale following the Great Depression. Founders Lawrence W. Holt and Melvin T. Kafka would lend books out for 3 cents a day, which would provide people with cheap entertainment without having to commit to the cost of purchasing. In the 1950s, when paperbacks came out, it was so cheap to actually sell books that the pair converted their rental libraries into retail outlets. However, sales started to stagnate and decline with the rise of other book retailers. Borders purchased the company, but eventually, Waldenbooks had to close as a way for Borders to save itself. You may also like: Interior design trends from the 1920s to today Warner Bros. Studio Store Evan Agostini/Liaison // Getty Images – Category: Film and comic merchandise – Year founded: 1991 – Year defunct: 2005 – Lifetime: 14 years In 1991, Warner Bros., the popular film studio, opened a series of retail stores selling all manner of merchandise relating to its movies, including Looney Tunes and DC Comics items. By 1997, there were more than 100 locations, including a three-story building at 1 Times Square. A few years later, AOL Time merged with Warner, and as part of the agreement, the chain was put up for sale and stores started closing. On Sept. 11, 2001, the Warner Brothers Studio Store at the World Trade Center was destroyed, along with the Twin Towers. Other stores started closing rapidly. The last one shuttered on Dec. 31, 2001. Western Auto Wirestock Creators // Shutterstock – Category: Automotive – Year founded: 1909 – Year defunct: 2003 – Lifetime: 94 years Western Auto, officially Western Auto Supply Company, was a chain selling car parts and accessories. Later it would sell firearms, bicycles, and more. It started in 1909 as a mail-order business in Kansas City, founded by George Pepperdine, who also founded Pepperdine University in California. Ultimately, there were about 1,200 company-owned stores across the United States, as well as more than 4,000 private franchises. Later, Western Auto went through a series of sales to other companies, one of them being Sears. By 2006, the brand was officially out of business. Wickes Furniture Canva – Category: Furniture store – Year founded: 1971 – Year defunct: 2008 – Lifetime: 37 years Wickes Furniture was once the go-to spot for decorating the entire home. Founded in 1971, with its first showroom in Minnesota, the company eventually grew to operate 43 stores in the Western and Midwestern U.S. But come 2008, furniture companies were hit hard by the housing crisis. A slower housing market and the economic downturn meant people weren’t buying as many homes–and certainly weren’t refurnishing them. In February 2008, a group of liquidators bought Wickes’ inventory, and more than $75 million worth of furniture was sold off. Woolworth’s