Brookstone: No Longer At A Mall Near You | Retail Archaeology

[@RetailArchaeology]

Are you sorry to see Brookstone leave malls or have you ever shopped at a Brookstone airport store? I'd love to you hear your thoughts and memories 😀 Also, don't forget Retail Archaeology and Rotting Acres Mall merchandise is available at the Retail Archaeology Shop: teespring.com/stores/retail-archaeology

[@Dyaxxis]

Honestly, I have mixed feelings because as we all know... some of the earlier Brookstone wares were different from their recent offerings, so I've missed the older Brookstone items but have greatly lost interest over time. Also, some of those items offered there, at "The Sharper Image", and a few other similar novelty retailers were mostly good for novelty purposes, but as some of us would feel... the novelty wears quickly after the purchase. One major thing I felt was lost as Brookstone evolved was somehow their early stores had a kind of "New England" styling to it, which isn't surprising since it was founded and continually headquartered in New Hampshire. That faded as time went on. EDIT: Btw, as I watched the video, the store styling appears similar to several of the troubled major mall anchor stores (a few JCP's, some Macy's, and a lot like the failing Sears stores).

[@josephtafur]

I sooo needed a new video from you. I knew you would do brookstone. Thank you very much, you made my day sooo much better

[@megano2000]

I'll always remember singing with the karaoke a few years back... Good times.

[@christinacope562]

I will miss them as I did Sharper Image closing. And Natural Wonders, Garden Botanika, The Body Shop(unique places). Looks like evertwhere I shopped is gone and keeps closing. Last Sears in 3 county area shutting down in November announced today. Big empty buildings with big empty parking lots. Never shop at airport stores since I even hate hauling what I have to so I don't shop on trips. I have noticed in my area that jewelry chain shops are shutting down too.

[@Austin.D]

Retail Archaeology I think what their problem was and still is that their prices were just way too overpriced and could be the reason why their closing up shops

[@mason6300]

I thought you had invested in a fancy drone at the beginning, then I realise your just on an escalator.

[@donutsandgravy3150]

We (as in my family, I’m a youngin so I didn’t buy any of this) own so many things from brookstone for some reason. A footbath, alarm clock, pretty large iPod party speaker thing, another smaller iPod speaker, tranquil sound scene speaker that also doubles as an alarm clock I think, a considerably more conventional looking massage chair, multiple iDogs, a CD player speaker that also unsurprisingly has an iPod dock, a universal remote pillow, and probably a couple more things I can’t think of at the moment. It’s a wonder we don’t have the little sånd display too. I have no idea how or why we bought and could afford all of this. It’s honestly really funny.

[@johnkelly7757]

In many areas of the country their catalog(mail) was available but their stores weren't--especially in the 80's &90's.

[@josephtafur]

They're basically SKY MALL: The Store

[@dekalb]

I was disappointed when Sky Mall shut down (not that I ever bought or could afford anything from there), now what will I read on the flight to pass the time? Now I have to read the same crap I read on the internet at home like a sucker.

[@nunyabizness9459]

* they’re

[@chadschmaltz9790]

@@dekalb time to read the safety instructions for the 40th time.....

[@josephtafur]

7:41 the standard element of any going out of business sale a half emply drink cup left on a shelf

[@SHADOSTRYKR]

The "EVERYTHING MUST GO" sign manufacturer must be doing well these days.

[@wingedtrish]

LOL

[@joeybaseball7352]

Amazon makes them.

[@kittyboochanyesbongono8467]

I would burn them while doing a bonfire while camping

[@mewmedic]

Massive respect for using Dan Mason!

[@cesariojpn]

6:50 Of course the Massager area would be nearly empty......wonder why??

[@josephtafur]

1:39 Get in the EVA, Erik 🤣

[@mstiefan6996]

Those massage chairs are also strangely at Costco as well for insanely high prices, though they only seem to have them out at certain times of years given they have to make way for garage doors. ...Costco carries a lot of unique stuff I'd have to say. Also, someone lost a ball from one of those toys under the shelves at around the 8:20 mark in the video as you were discussing the 'marble labyrinth'. Guess they'll find that when they take out all the shelving later on.

[@yappydog8m]

I worked at Brookstone when I graduated college and did not land a job. I worked at the mall for about 3 months and then the hours ran dry after the holiday, but the airport store offered me a job and and I ended up working there for almost 2 years. I enjoyed the airport store and helping people find what they needed and help them pack it in their new bags before their plane left without them.

[@rokujones]

The major issue with buying such a message chair is knowing that the thing will eventually fail or break down with constant use and that you will most likely have no clue how to fix it.

[@Cesar-sp3nx]

I just want to say, your channel deserves 100k subs. You have then laid back and chill vibe of Clint from LGR, and the exploration style of Dan Bell. It's a masterpiece and is highly underrated.

[@IVR02]

I have to say, I’ll miss Brookstone, as their presence in shopping malls is kinda nostalgic to me. As far back as I can remember, I’ve always loved to just pop my head into the shops. I’d rarely buy anything, often just browsing and saying things along the lines of “Oh, that’s neat,” but on the rare occasions that I made a purchase, I recall them being very easy to deal with. Again, I’ll miss popping in and browsing all the oddities on their shelves. Oh, well.

[@droptozro]

I love how they mark up stuff so they can "mark it down" when this happens. I only rarely see actual deals when this occurs or you have to find someone that can make an actual cash deal lower than their retail "mark down" prices.

[@craigdean7425]

Thanks for the video I worked in the D. I. A airport have been in there just a few times but it's been years since I have seen one

[@hananezumi]

Brookstone is where you go to get gifts for people who you don't know well enough to know what they really want, but then walk out without buying anything because it was all too expensive.

[@klee8960]

Our brookstone closed along time ago, in Michigan

[@sisterluke]

I remember playing with the kinetic sand and massagers

[@TessySega]

I love you’re videos ❤

[@cdcVintage]

Great video, thanks for posting. I like the music in this one.

[@Shwalker07]

I bought the uAstro2 massage chair about 4 years ago and I still use that thing all the time.

[@dennisb8431]

I used to work there at headquarters in the early 90’s. Tried to get them to develop a website when at that time there were less than 3,000 in the world. They weren’t interested; thought it was a cute gimmick with no practical value. They thought that about s lot of new ideas. Wasn’t surprised at sll when I heard they filed bankruptcy.

[@aob505]

I think it's like you said, they have overpriced crap. People only went in there to try the stuff, and then they found it cheaper elsewhere.

[@ecoRfan]

John Torrez pretty true. I’d stop by there but never get anything because it seemed like I had no use for it, especially as someone who is slow to be buying things. I don’t like clutter.

[@dsandler92]

I remember when they used to have clipboards where you would write down what you wanted and it would come to the register on a track system from the back or downstairs eventually they put the boxes on the sales floor to pick up

[@Flamingbro69]

My location at Westfield Countryside has already closed. Sears has also left the mall, but it’s still pretty busy and doing well despite of losing stores the past few months

[@vidfreak727]

I was bummed when I heard these stores were closing. They had interesting toys and gadgets. My local brownstone store was in Brea Mall and South Coast Plaza

[@nadiae174]

Yay for the way back machine😀

[@thomashouse6090]

When you mention it I used to go in and look all the time but never bought anything.

[@RhettyforHistory]

Back in the day these stores were super exciting!

[@jameswillett7186]

Does anyone remember Service Merchandise? It was a catalog store. Amazon is now the biggest catalog store in the world.

[@Krzrrazrrokr]

James Willett they used to have one at the mall near me but that was before I was born. My parents have talked about shopping there before though.

[@chadschmaltz9790]

Yep, Service Merchandise is where my parents bought my Sega Genesis. I remember when it was going out if business and you would enter the store but half of it was barricaded off by artificial walls and metal shelves.

[@newsboysfan77]

I was a manager for Brookstone. Enjoyed this video!

[@GCJACK83]

That's the problem with most brick and mortar retail, they overprice just about everything, which I can understand to a point due to having more overhead to worry about. At the same time, overpricing hurts more than helps because it drives more business into Amazon's, Walmart's, and Target's loving embrace.

[@christinacope562]

Hate all 3 of those shopping experiences

[@strtofdrms]

Target is by no means inexpensive...I feel like it is just "expensive Wal Mart". I avoid both like the plague!

[@christinacope562]

@@strtofdrms you and I have realized this. Sadly most haven't. While some have no choice that was not the experience in my area.

[@AKayfabe]

HerpyDerpyDoo11 the problem with people is they all want things as cheap as it can be, but then complain abt quality or lack thereof. You have to pay for quality. Now stores that overprice bad items with low quality is not ok either. However you all are shopping at Walmart and expect quality? It’s not realistic. What we need are places that sell sturdy, quality items that are not made to break, at prices that reflect that quality. But people would STILL complain abt cost. And I’m saying this as a person who has lived in poverty most of my adult life. If you only have $20 and need shoes Payless works temporarily. But if someone has hundreds to spend they should be buying quality pay more, all at once and get shoes that last YEARS. The issue is some $200-300 boots still break and tear within 6 months. So if it ALL sucks, people may as well spend $15 and do it 4 times a year. They need lasting good products for the price point. And places do not any longer. People might pay more for better items. Some will always complain even if it lasted a lifetime. I would not

[@jcp012000]

I don’t live in the US anymore but Brookstone was always a “cornerstone” to almost every mall. Yeah it’s kind of sad to see them leave

[@jeffhayward8221]

What! We still have a brookstone in the alderwood mall in lynnwood , wa it's in a really high end mall so I'm surprised. I've never bought anything in there. But loved to look at all the cool stuff. And sit in the massage chairs .

[@jwb52z9]

I haven't thought about Brookstone for years. I used to love stores like this back when I still had access to a mall where I live. It's the kind of store I would have loved to shop in as a kid if I'd had money years/decades ago.

[@noelleelizabeth9991]

Man for a second I thought that opening shot was from a drone 😂

[@elevensoftgaming]

I was a store manager for this company for about a year and I am surprised that they even lasted this long. Everything would break. The amount of returns was insane. The massage chairs would actually sell and were actually pretty good quality.

[@SomeGuy-ee4yq]

I also was a manager. I agree with everything you said. The returns were a nightmare.

[@SeanSkyhawk]

I used to go there every time I visited my local mall, shame it went belly up like this

[@aaron71]

music made me feel like i was playing theme hospital XD

[@Mrtfarrugia]

Get the Viking chess. It pretty fun.

[@franko5115]

I worked for Brookstone in 2017, needless to say those prices weren’t the reason why customers stayed away, but also the way the travel massagers were built. They’re not built to last and we had a minimum of 10-15 costumers coming in to return! Nuts.

[@shesulli]

They had a lifetime guarantee on their products so we often exchanged rusty, old hammock sets for new ones. That is until Brookstone clarified that they meant the lifetime of the product and not the customer.

[@PEplana]

There was a pop-up Brookstone at one of my local malls last Christmas. It does remind you of the crap Sharper Image sells.

[@cyberi4a]

I haven't seen one of there stores in over 20 years in a mall. I think I still have a little fan I bought from them once.

[@jeebs621]

that brookstone at fashion square actually used to be a sharper image lol

[@where7847]

for a second i thought the opening shot was a drone haha

[@universalcerberus5863]

My family bought an air purifier and kinetic sand, their main issue was that it was too expensive.

[@albertwill8235]

The nature-sound pillow consists of memory foam in addition to the sound system. Check Tempurpedic's memory-foam-pillow prices and you will see that $56.00 per pillow is not expensive considering just the memory-foam component.

[@yrly59e]

Always had weird expensive could be useful stuff, they certainly weren’t cheap

[@98-SR5]

I live way way out in the country so going to a real mall is a pretty rare experience. The Carl Sandburg mall was kinda local to me but it was always pretty trashy and has recently closed. But being in Chicago every now, I stopped in the one by O'hare once. Lots of people coming and going but no one really buying, and once I noticed their prices I understood why. Way too high.

[@loranoodle]

I moved to USA in 2001 from England, and Brookstone was the coolest thing ever coming from another country. But its one of those places that you spend hours exploring but never buying because the prices for novelty items is ridiculous.

[@dumbcow1]

As someone who worked for Bstone from 2012-2017...always felt like corporate was trying to bandaid and stave off the inevitable the entire time I worked there. They just kept throwing money at advisory firms, and never listened to feedback from us at the store level. They would always latch onto one super high margin product, and make it front and center for years. Sand, God I loathed it so much. We had a kinetic sand that the company pushed for almost 5 years...

[@Ghoulstille]

Stores like this pop up in Canada from time to time and never catch on. I see the stuff they sell all the time in the non-profit shop i work at and most of the time the items still work and are only lightly used if used at all.

[@vortmax1981]

That Evangelion clip made me literally laugh out loud. Now every time I see those massage chairs in the malls, I'll think of that.

[@hardlyb]

There was a Brookstone in the Stanford mall where I bought a few things over the years, but mostly I'd look around for interesting items, and then buy them somewhere else for half the price. They're kind of like SkyMall - identify some interesting stuff, and then charge way too much for it.

[@gordontaylor2815]

I see you, Five Guys half-drank drink cup! (7:42)

[@randomtinypotatocried]

I always wanted those cat ear headphones, but I could never justify the price.

[@CommodoreFan64]

You get some like them for less than $10 on eBay. www.ebay.com/itm/Wired-Bluetooth-Cat-Ear-Headphones-Headband-LED-Lights-Earphone-Headset-Phone/232877749927?hash=item36389876a7%3Ag%3AO5gAAOSwVuFbaWvG&LH_BIN=1

[@tylerwestbrook2392]

Didn't stop Hidomi though did it 😉

[@ThomasPurcell]

7:45 Random drink on shelf again.....lol

[@partyboi82]

My husband work at the Bookstore in Fashion Show Mall in Las Vegas it kinda sad that they are closing all mall location. I am glad he found a way better job now

[@Kirbyfan577]

I always loved going into Brookstone. It was always packed. You had to get your mid-shopping massage and play with the gadgets. I’m guessing the problem is that’s all anyone did.

[@preciadoalex123]

It's a eBay store of gadgets but with a premium price!

[@gmcnewlook]

Alex P. Or Walmart....

[@johnrumpf8559]

I worked for Brookstone for about 2 years. One of the best jobs I had. They sell everything you want but nothing you’d ever actually need. Some stuff was great quality while other stuff was horrible. Sad to see they went bankrupt (that’s how I stopped working there)

[@wedrownysowianin9387]

My only memories of anything Brookstone-related involve getting the same gift from my grandfather three times in a row and trying to act like it's the greatest thing.

[@bradfromthevalley]

that was one of the fun shops to visit and check out all th cool stuff, the malls will miss them though probably got more lookers than buyers, there was a Brookstone and sharper image at the Glendale Galleria in the past I preferred Brookstone. It was near Oaktree the once best fashion store.

[@jorgenvonstrangle000]

I worked here from 2015-2016 when I was 19 years old; I had pretty good manager and staff to work with, goals were mainly sales everyday. Because of pressure from district manager we got told to sell high price items like the Shiatsu Foot Massager $249.99. the Big Blue Party Speaker $199.99 USD, the Pocket Projectors ($50-$449.99 USD) every week. I remember the BB-8 Star Wars toy was also a hot product in 2015 then dropped sales quick due to its price. Some products were really expensive and usually broke easily and got returned, we were selling those Cat Ear headphones and was a hot product during Christmas 2015 but the problem was we got returns on those alot and exchanges for new ones because it was even our product we were required to sell at the time even with extended warranties (1-3 years). Drones were rarely purchased due to high price and if they were purchased they came back defective. I have some of their products that still work but even then, kinda glad I quit because I closed right before the store in San Antonio closed in 2017 too. I had some fun working there, Christmas holidays were okay. Had some good memories.

[@Melissa2087]

I never bought anything from there but I always wanted that $500 foot massager. I use to go to Brookstone on my breaks when I worked at Ruby Tuesday because my feet hurt SO bad from standing all day and after I used it... I felt like I was walking on clouds.

[@robertm3951]

Brookstone was always a place to go to buy gifts for people that they would never buy for themselves. I still buy the same type of stuff from Sharper Image racks at various other stores. I wonder if Brookstone can compete with that

[@Metal_Groove45]

Did you hear that Sears is closing more locations?

[@tylerwestbrook2392]

So what else is new 🙄

[@alskndlaskndal]

It was almost a holiday tradition to go into this store hoping that I'd find that perfect gift for Dad or Mom and use the massage chairs to take a break from a hard day of shopping. Usually I'd never find anything I actually wanted to buy, but it was fun playing with all the gadgets. I don't know what they're thinking focusing on their airport stores and catalog. Who even shops from catalogs anymore???

[@anthony3246]

I always used to go into brookstone to look at all the cool stuff but my parents wouldn't let me buy anything cause it was too expensive

[@hillyhills2787]

So bummed loved this store for getting travel stuff 😩

[@helana2203]

i died when i saw ur eva reference

[@pyrobison2002]

Oh no! I always liked browsing there. There is one near me, I’ll have to go

[@Midekai]

I got hired by them as an assistant manager back in late 2014 right around the first bankruptcy. One of their high points was being a store for unique gifts and Xmas was always a good time for us. But eventually the higher end malls would just make it that much harder to make money back for the stores. I worked at the one at Stanford Shopping Center. I always found it pretty fun to demo items with customers but it still feels pretty bad when you have a feeling they just wanna hang around and waste your time and never buy anything.. especially with those prices lol

[@Knitsims27]

The Spiderman and car are from a company called Sphero that makes robotic toys.

[@christinacope562]

And Disney is a major owner of Sphero. They own everything it seems.

[@gregorybishop4761]

The Donkey Kong cabinet was indeed a reproduction, but it was actually an official release. Namco licensed it from Nintendo and released it in a 3-in-1 machine that also had DK Jr. and Mario Bros.

[@Kinaibhlan]

Like everyone else all we ever did was go in and mess with the stuff, try it out then leave. Everything is like 40% more expensive then it should be. I did buy one thing once and that was the kinetic sand they sell that me and my sister would play with in the stores and I bought it for her on Christmas. Speaking of which it's weird they didn't wait until Christmas to close these stores.

[@highimpact1]

I use to work at Brookstone. Pretty much nailed the reason why they closed. Over-priced and online buying destroyed them. The straps for the massager are to attach it to a chair.

[@Mamaspeeder]

Was at one of my malls that had one, bought their cordless shiatsu massager since it was about $50. Was pretty good, would've never paid full price for it though.

[@sureokk]

I guess we never had those in the south, I've never heard of them

[@xMarto96]

When i first saw the opening shot i was amazed by the great slider and the camera angle, and i kept wandering what an amazing equipment you had to take such a wonderful scene... Then i saw the escalator reflection in the window

[@mustangs-marketing]

I've never seen or met anyone who bought one of those massage chairs.

[@jaredfogle6612]

when you can just use them at the mall.

[@gildardoalcauter5619]

Lol i actually bought one. & untill now still works great. But yeah over expensive.

[@jeffhayward8221]

@Tavon Fenwick Dang now I wish I would have worked there.

[@lotus_dream]

Every asian i know own one... my mom has one lololol

[@danahughes2239]

I always wanted one...

[@SwarthyPlinker]

I had forgotten about Brookstone. 20 years ago, it was a really popular store in our local mall. It generated lots of foot traffic, but I never saw anyone buy anything there.

[@jorgenvonstrangle000]

I remember working here for a year and half, management was kind eh, real chill. I had fun working but sales were hard when it came to selling our “weekly” products to reach daily goals, like those Big Blue Speakers, which were great, The Cat Ear headphones sucked they always broke and always got returned, and honestly I’m glad I quit this place by the time I got another job. I’m actually glad I got their Renew Zero Gravity massage chair 3 years ago though, works well still no issues at all.

[@ecoRfan]

The one in my local mall (Bridgewater Commons in New Jersey) disappeared months ago. The Sharper Image disappeared many years ago. Makes the mall less exciting.

[@JennaMonsoon8]

Hey. There is now more information and even a website about Phoenix Mart in Casa Grande, if you're interested.

[@mcrrocksall2]

I remember going into a Brookstone and laughing at how expensive the stuff was.

[@daviedmond4639]

looks like a flea market or k mart circa 2007

[@ForeverCellist]

Woah, really? Brookstone is one of those stores I remember seeing at my childhood mall for, well, as long as I can remember. I think I only actually went there 2-3 times overall (my mom always said it was too expensive) but I always remember walking past it.

[@TheCaliforniaChica]

About 12 years ago I had a boyfriend who worked at Brookstone. He used to get a decent discount and would buy me pillows and stuffed animals under the n.a.p. line they sold there. I had totally forgotten about that until you showed that overpriced blanket. It had the n.a.p. emblem on it.

[@Titanic19127]

Grew up going to this store, they always have some of the nicest and unique things, even if they are priced high, also really nice comforters and pillows. Very sad times we are living in

[@Joi_Robb]

I work in a mall and just saw that Brookstone was closing. I never bought anything from them because it always seemed to be way too overpriced things I never needed

[@Titanic19127]

Joi Robb I grew up going to this story, many memories

[@scottieray]

Brookstone sounds like a place that hires Spec Ops for security detail in Saudi Arabia

[@awildjenngar]

I’m from New Hampshire! There’s one in like every mall. Or was. Everytime I tried to go in there when I was a teenager they always yelled at me for touching stuff or trying the chairs. If you don’t let people try the shit you’re selling, you’re gonna probably go out of business lmao

[@ccateni28]

They closed mine in the mall with little fanfair, and they became a native crafts place that fit the themes. The Mohegan Sun location is also closing with an f.y.e. owned spin street closing as well. So sad. :(

[@realdealio1]

I bought a similar faux throw blanket for $1 at the Dollar store

[@CommodoreFan64]

I use to work at Dollar General, and we had them all over the store during the Fall/winter season for cheap, and twice the size of the ones in Brookstone.

[@jacezant6887]

Hi I just found this channel and I didn’t see any video on barnes & noble. I would love to see something if there’s an older one you can find. The one I used to go to, located in AZ, has had a lot of modernization recently, like the original cafe flooring and chairs being replaced and the big cactus in the middle of the store was removed.The company seems to be going downhill due to competition with Amazon and the recent remodels makes me feel like the window of time to capture an older B&N might be closing.

[@jedisith3864]

Got some airpods that are Brookstone as a work Christmas gift and you're the only video to give me any history or idea what the hell this brand is. Decent run time, plus 20 hrs off the case with usb type c, ipx5 and bluetooth 5.0 so that's pretty much late 2018 or 2019 manufacturing.