Forgotten Mall Stores That Have Disappeared…For Good

[@aaronlopez492]

Radio Shack, Walden books, KB Toys, Sam Goody's, B. Dalton and The Sharper Image.

[@samanthab1923]

We had a local Radio Shack up until about 10 years ago

[@rexlint2520]

There's a Sam Goody location at the Ohio Valley Mall. I thought they was all gone

[@sonhuynh8222]

@@samanthab1923 same here, Murrieta CA

[@samanthab1923]

@@sonhuynh8222 I’m in Solebury PA Bucks Co

[@Chilly_Billy]

I truly miss the many bookstores we used to enjoy. Newsstands as well.

[@Mom2my4blessings]

I remember The Gap, Benetton, Walden Books, B Dalton, Kinney Shoes, Stride Rite, Hickory Farms, Wilsons Leather, Casual Corner, KB Toys, so many! I was born in the late 70’s during the “mall era”. I actually watch a lot of dead mall and abandoned mall videos. I’m nostalgic for the way it used to be. I always thought that I would take my kids to the mall. I never thought that they would close.

[@samanthab1923]

Even all the big dept. stores are gone.

[@charliejoson9145]

Whatever happened to United Colors of Benetton? We had that in the Philippines at our [one time] huge mall in 90's. My mom and I couldn't buy anything there since the merchandise was a bit expensive.

[@jamesrecknor6752]

@@charliejoson9145 Now the Philippines has bigger and better malls than some of the US

[@rachelc.5463]

@melbrown6019...Dan Bell does videos on dead malls and abandoned buildings etc.

[@davidgoodman6924]

No more Tape World or Camelot Music. 😭

[@jcshaves]

As a teenager in the 80’s the mall was the place to be with so much to do. Food, shopping, arcade, movie theater, roller skating rink, and just hanging out. I feel bad that kids don’t have places like that anymore. Well just like malls killed downtown shopping online shopping is killing malls. There is still something about able to physically see something before you buy it though that can’t be replicated.

[@mindyschocolate]

Agreed. It’s the same thing with the Disney store. I’d rather see the product personally since pictures are deceiving.

[@MelvinJ64]

Now they all "hang out" on Twitch and Tik-tok, no wonder the current generation is way more miserable. Being outside and being with people trumps online constant dopamine hits through a screen.

[@jcshaves]

@@MelvinJ64 agreed

[@DucatiGTS]

I remember all of these stores, the internet age truly destroyed the Shopping Mall, it's a shock that there are still Malls at all. I believe the only reason there are some still surviving, is because you still have enough folks who still like to go and spend money at a physical store in a Mall. It's a shame, I grew up as a Mallrat lol , always the hangout in the winter months and sometimes in the summer of the 80's & 90's with my friends. Good ole days long gone.

[@JamesFromTexas]

Now the pandemic and the growing disparity in income will be the death knell for the rest.

[@GeorgieB1965]

We have at least three malls that are still quite popular in my home state of CT. All three mall owners have done an excellent job of bringing in new businesses in order to keep people visiting/shopping. We have at least three malls that are slowly going south with their lack of business. It's just a matter of how well those developers are working those properties to squeeze as many dollars as possible.

[@thenightporter]

If physical stores were able to offer the same prices as online, I think it would be better for malls. But why drive somewhere to pay more? One reason many teachers nowadays teach school like they are going to the gym is because how can you go shopping for an outfit as a woman online? At least at a mall you could go from one store to another and put an entire ensemble together within an hour if you knew what you were looking for. Because that would take too much time and effort nowadays, people just shop at Target/Walmart/Costco. Where are you going to put an entire nice ensemble together today? Macy's, that's about it and the people that work I. The clothing department there also dress like they cannot be bothered.

[@MaxStax1]

When i was growing up there were mainly the big stand alone Discount Stores like Gibson's, Wells, Alco and Duckwalls. This was before Wal-Mart came on the scene in our area. And there were what we called shopping centers, lines of stores all with their own outside entrance. When our little town finally got a big fancy Mall in the mid 80's it was a huge deal. Local businesses were furious not only for the competition but the City agreed to give the Mall Owners tax breaks to lure them in. It was anchored with Sears and J.C Penney, along with all the other popular Mall stores. i couldn't believe when Sears finally closed their doors for good.

[@kemgreene8525]

Internet destroyed a lot more even connecting with people "! Every where you go everyone is on a laptop or cell phone "! Your privacy is safe no more I am already tired of creating passwords and constantly updating crap"! I'm at this point have gone back to reading books and soon going off grid ridding myself of phones, laptops and tables"!!

[@keetahbrough]

i remember being appalled that Sears closed. Their Christmas Wish Book is an iconic piece of american and canadian modern culture. I grew up using it every year to choose things i might want santa to get for me. Sears/Roebuck has been around for so long, my mom used to always go to Sears. NEVER WALMART lol. Now she goes to Walmart and is sad. In my 20's, I worked at the mall.. back when it was still the place to work, as a young female first starting out in the work force.

[@bravobravoh1344]

My dad and I used to go to Sears back in the day, it was an anchor store so we went in there first before proceeding through the mall. He used to look at all the latest Craftsman tools, great memories.

[@MomentsInTrading]

It’s worth mentioning that Sears was close to closing out years ago. Eddie Lampert and his hedge fund pumped billions into it trying to revive it. This was a win/lose situation. Eddie personally kept Sears going including putting his own money in and loaning money. However, he also became CEO and didn’t run things well. They sold off Craftsman tool line and Kenmore appliances to raise cash to stay afloat but doing so ruined them eventually.

[@Grandizer8989]

In the days before toilet paper, it was used for something else

[@TW1257]

The Christmas catalog arriving was a big day. The neighbors got the Wish Book. He got the JC Penney Christmas catalog.

[@mindyschocolate]

I loved going through the Christmas catalog as a kid. We’d circle what we liked and put our names next to it so my parents could see our wish lists.

[@varyar77]

When I was a kid, the local mall had both B. Dalton and Waldenbooks. It was heaven for a young geek.

[@paulzammataro7185]

I think B&N also bought out Waldonbooks? 🤔

[@varyar77]

​@@paulzammataro7185 No, Borders did. (Weirdly, my local B&N is on the same spot as the old Waldenbooks.)

[@mindyschocolate]

Same! I miss book stores. I had a TON of The Babysitters Club books. I had a good 30 of them I kept in my locker as a mini library during homeroom time where we had to read. I was proud of that collection.

[@mindyschocolate]

@@varyar77 I think B&N is the last bookstore open, unless you want to count Wishes, which isn’t a true bookstore.

[@mrsdewdrop9678]

Our Wardens had comfy chairs tucked in corners. Plus regular chairs grouped in areas with a table. You could sit and browse your hand ful of books and pick your purchases. You'd leave the remaining books and the employees would happily return them to the shelves. The employees were knowledgeable and helpful.

[@davidellis4084]

I went to the mall for Walden Books. Still sad that they are gone. Many great memories.

[@hilltopmachineworks2131]

They always had a good selection of mystery and detective books.

[@sterlingduck5402]

Can't agree more. Between Walden and B. Dalton, I made a lot of memories.

[@fob1xxl]

Hickory Farms was ALWAYS packed during the Holidays. I remember "Wilsons Leather" and the Wilson sons doing the TV ads. I used to buy shoes from Kinney's when I was a kid. Most of my underwear as a kid growing up either had a J.C. Penny, or Sears tag on it !

[@nothing2seehere34]

OMG! Wilson Leather was so intoxicating. The one back home had a sign that said "take the smell with you, purchase something!"

[@scrappyjunk8793]

in the movie rain-man rain-man says i get my underwear from k-mart and even remembers the address do u remember the address of sears or jc pennys lol /////////////

[@samanthab1923]

My son & I were in a thrift shop the other day & he tried on a black leather jacket from Wilson’s! 😆

[@rclaughlin]

Hickory Farms stores are still a reasonably popular seasonal presence in malls. I live in Chico, California, and one or another of our local malls will always have a Hickory Farms store in the weeks preceding Christmas.

[@MaxStax1]

I always loved getting one of those Sausage and Cheese samplers as a gift.

[@toddbehrends1373]

My wife and I recently went to a local mall that is still going strong. They have a JC Penny's there along with a Hot Topic store, a Spencer's and Clair's Boutique. They have a Gloria Jean's Coffee store. We had not been inside the mall in over 13 years and found it absolutely fascinating to walk around and window shop. We are planning to go back soon.

[@mbryson2899]

Sounds exactly like Northridge Mall in Salinas, CA. I hadn't been there for years, then last November our eldest grandkid lost her nose stud in the shower so I had to hit Hot Topic. I was stunned to find that JC Penney had been completely rebuilt.

[@jonkrispeterson6678]

I have been in two busy malls in the past five years. Fox Valley Mall in Appleton WI, and the UTC Mall in Sarasota FL. Frankly, the Appleton mall is so busy, it’s hard to walk around.

[@mbryson2899]

@@jonkrispeterson6678 My son grew up in Madison. As a teen he and his friends would trek to Fox River for the retro socializing during the summer.

[@jaredbaratono897]

Our mall is more of a place you’re afraid to go into, without pepper spray and a handgun.

[@MikeBrown-ii3pt]

As a truck driver for the last 30 years, the holiday season used to always be filled with picking up loads at a Hickory Farms warehouse in Ohio and delivering them to grocery warehouses in surrounding states. They started running hard about mid-October and ran through mid-December. I haven't had one and, don't know anyone that has, in the last 10 years or so though.

[@JR_SupportOurHeroes]

During Christmas 2022 We had a temporary Hickory Farms open in a shopping center in Germantown Maryland

[@Tomatohater64]

The best leather bomber jacket I ever had was bought at the Wilson's Leather store at South Hills Village Mall in Pittsburgh in 2001. My girlfriend loved it.

[@maxpower2511]

Wilsons used to be great. Before they left it was just all fake leather but years ago I got some great deals on leather jackets

[@HelenTudor-Douglas]

I also shopped at the South Hills Village Mall, but I shopped there from 1990-1992 when I lived in Pittsburgh. A Great Mall, Great Memories!

[@samanthab1923]

Just saw a black leather car coat from Wilson’s at my local thrift.

[@thenightporter]

I think it is especially sad for seniors because this was a nice place for families or their adult children to accompany them to do some shopping or find a nice place for them to rest and people watch, maybe take them to a nice restaurant in the mall for lunch or coffee to make them feel special. Growing up, my dad's widowed mom lived in a tiny apartment. It had a living room, a single bedroom, a bathroom and an alcove kitchen. My aunts and uncles lived 90, 60 and 15 minutes away while we lived 6 hours away. We would visit on all the holiday weekends with a family picnic in summer. Then she would come visit us and stay about 3 weeks. We would take her shopping. She LOVED KMart. We lived a mile from there. Back then, the average age of the store employee was about 50-60 !and worked there forever.

[@kemgreene8525]

"During hot summer months I used just go to a store called "Coffee and Fudge Factory next to "Cinnabun" just sit drink coffee and read a book, it was nice and air conditioned, this was long before Starbucks "!

[@stevenlitvintchouk3131]

Doctors would recommend "mall walking" as exercise for seniors who might have had trouble walking on hills or in bad weather.

[@morbidmanmusic]

Yeah, the family st the mall is always better than the family in the park.... .. ...

[@Tryingtohaveityall]

I miss casual corner and petite sophisticate. All of my business wear came from those stores. Then I got downsized and pivoted careers and no longer needed suits. I wish I had kept a few. They were such good quality and timeless

[@momof4kids735]

Me too, that’s where I shopped for years ❤️

[@birdsfan57]

I miss LadyBug stores...a slightly pricier version of Casual Corner, but both were great for outfitting "career women" in the 80's...Marianne Shops in the 70's were the "go-to" store for teen girls who wanted the latest fashions but on a limited budget (think a cross between The Deb Shops and today's H&M). Tops and pants were as low as $1.99-2.99 to a high of $9.99 (for the really PRICEY items). But then, it WAS the 70's...

[@mattpashaie2936]

I still have some gifts cats from casual corners

[@momof4kids735]

@@mattpashaie2936 I have some gift cards from Borders Books stores, and K.B. Toys. They were in an old wallet I found in the back of my closet when we were moving a couple of years ago. So sad 🙁

[@thenightporter]

You sound exactly like my mom when you say you wish you had kept the suits. 🙂

[@SD-nh5yr]

I loved christmas shopping at the mall...the busy as heck stores, the people, the decorations for Christmas just the whole shopping experience was great. But that was back in the 70s and 80s...now just memories.

[@samanthab1923]

I loved all the store decorations 🎄

[@mrsdewdrop9678]

And people were friendly. Sharing well wishes for the upcoming holidays. Sure miss those days

[@smartysmarty1714]

I spent the first 15 years of my career traveling the country building chain stores. I built many of them listed in this video. As a young man (mid 20's in the mid 80's) it was glamorous to get to see new cities, eat local food, and meet new people. But, the work was hard too. Very hard, and the deadlines imposed by these chain stores to complete the projects were completely insane. I was in it long enough that I built a Hickory Farms store, and tore it out later in order to build a Walden Books store. That one really hit home. It was fun at the time, but I can't say I miss it. Many mall *landlords* were absolutely brutal, and went out of their way to cause problems for the contractors. When people go to these stores to shop, they have no idea of what took place to make that experience possible.

[@mattpashaie2936]

I was in my mid 20’s in 80’s too

[@franktillman295]

I grew up in the 70’s and 80’s ! This brings back memories that are painful cause there dead now!😞😞

[@itiswhatitis7639]

So did I, it’s so sad😢

[@Cheri12345]

Me too I’m sad as I watch these episodes 😢

[@franktillman295]

@@Cheri12345 ❤️

[@sonyafox3271]

And, that’s the thing that also use to be a safe place to walk around cause, your parents were near by and, then, it became another place unsafe to go, that and, now that so, many are broken down and, are locked down and, still teenagers get in there with what’s left of them and, being so, destructive! Everything in America has become so, unsafe, how sad!

[@catherinesmitko]

they're stores...just stores

[@rflett5797]

The thing I most remember about the mall here was the organ music that would echo through the building when an employee at Organ Exchange would play on one of the display models.

[@alandickerson3379]

I remember many of these stores, and miss them. Thank you for the memories!

[@fawnrosenblatt6927]

I miss Sears, I loved their appliances and tools. I still have a digital alarm clock I got at Sears 47 years ago, it's still ticking. I have 2 Kenmore refrigerators, one of them is over 30 years old, still chilling

[@jakebrakebill]

The music back in the 60's, 70's and 80's along with the movies, were the best too.

[@christopherkraft1327]

I remember most of these stores. Hickory Farms was a place I did a lot of gift buying during the holidays, I miss them!! 🙂

[@GardenerEarthGuy]

Hit it out of the park with names I had forgotten, but were a childhood staple... Thanks For The Memories!

[@floydsemlow8253]

I live seven miles from Northeastern Ohio great lakes Mall Mentor location in Chardon. So blessed that that mall has not really changed much in the last 20 years. Still have a JCPenney, just recently lost Sears and Kauffman's. I fear that the end is near. It's just not the same these Days 🤦😞

[@davinp]

One of my original mall stores that I miss is Linen's N Things

[@journeytothemosthigh5021]

I truly miss the days when these stores were in their hay days in the 70s and 80s. Those were truly great times. Who knew that we were headed for this suckfest!

[@DaleTerry-xn9ui]

i miss all of the throwback classic stores and good old days shopping in malls and hanging out on weekends there

[@randywaller7685]

I really, really miss Hickory Farms. Does anyone else remember how good it smelled.

[@RisingTidesAC]

Going to the mall with friends on a Friday or Saturday night was one of the best parts of my teenage years!

[@neolithicnobody8184]

Where I live, we had 6 different Malls in the area. Now we have 0. Two of them are still standing, one of which is slated for demolition in late March 2023 to make way for luxury high-rise apartments. Most of the closings were attributed to increased online shopping and what few were left ended up closing for good during the 2020 Pandemic.

[@jamescurran6277]

Great. Because we need more luxury apartments. 🙄

[@neolithicnobody8184]

@@jamescurran6277 Yeah, I know. I can think of a lot better things to put in there, but I'm just a Nobody without enough money to do it. Even affordable housing would be better than their plan.

[@MCW1955]

Born in 1955 and grew up in the San Fernando Valley and we really enjoyed the mighty Topanga plaza mall. It was something with its 2 story rain fountain. Moved to Sacramento area and we had the Sunrise Mall. Was a nice mall. Of course it’s dead now. If you can, can you do a video on Sizzler? A favorite of my family growing up. Thanks for this wonderful channel.

[@wildrosecece]

I remember the 80’s SF valley and also moved to Sacramento. Arden Mall was pretty good too. Have you been in a mall lately? It’s a ghost town.

[@startupadmin540]

I remember the Topanga Plaza, it was beautiful, I was fascinated by the rain fountain sculpture and just had to touch it to see if it was real. My grandma took me ice skating there once in 1968 and bought me my first ice skating outfit for my birthday. I remember it like yesterday…. 😊

[@debbiemullen2574]

I remember many of these stores. I bought a cheese box from Hickory Farms a couple years ago at a mall kiosk around Christmas (for old times sake). Memories. 😊

[@frankrizzo4460]

I remember in the early 80s The Express was a big clothes store at that time, also The Oaktree it was more of men's clothing. My Mom and sisters used to go to Lerner's back then. Also Spencer's, Buster Brown, and Thom Mcan.🤔

[@LifeofWalk]

You're like the Grandpa I never had, bringing the past back to life!! Thank you RR!

[@richardshermanjr1899]

I miss Spencer's at the malls. I remember the t shirts and posters and the novelty items.

[@SS61972]

Still have them in California lol

[@MisterMikeTexas]

They came back to the Hulen Mall in Fort Worth, Texas, and the Northeast Mall in Hurst, Texas.

[@richardshermanjr1899]

@@SS61972 I'm far away from California and most of the malls are gone. Nice to know Spencer's are still out there.

[@freedomrings1420]

I always loved the posters with the black lights. Living in the boonies in Upstate NY, going to the mall was only on a rare occasion.

[@frankwafer6919]

The good 'ol golden days of shopping! Thanks so much!👌👍!

[@teng029]

Inevitably, malls themselves will be a thing of the past. Anyway, some of the stores that were around when I worked in a mall were Sam Goody, Foot Action, The Wherehouse, Waldenbooks, Bullocks, Broadway, May Company, Radio Shack, and Kaybee Toys.

[@sherryo7315]

I always looked for the Spencer's stores in every mall I went to!

[@OcotilloTom]

I'm 77 but remember a few of these stores but I only shopped at three , B. Dalton, Penny's and Hickory Farms.

[@marilyntaylor9577]

I worked at Sears in the 70’s ( collector). I miss it even now, it had everything and their return policy was so forgiving.

[@DeanWinchester69]

I'm surprised Sears was not on this list, as they are down to about 18 stores left as of March 2023. JC Penney is also struggling but they have 660+ stores still operating and I have 8 locations within 25 miles of where I live as of March 2023.

[@pc-yx9uh]

all the record shops!

[@timebong8366]

I hung out at southdale mall in Edina Minnesota. Loved going into the hickory farms and getting a bunch of samples and then going down to the chocolate shoppe Fannie Farmer and getting some dessert

[@4WHEELBIKER]

Florsheim Shoes, Paddors, Kresge, Lerners, Thom Man, Bond Clothes.

[@bp39047]

Another "store" not mentioned that is gone away is "Orange Julius". They were great treat to drink. Now they are only available at some DQ's. I enjoy these videos of the distant past bringing back so many fond memories. FYI, I am not a fan of your videos that allow no comments and are shot in the small vertical screen shot mode that is also very hard to watch.

[@cheriestelzer9969]

I can’t get enough of this station. Thank you for every video and story. Your dedication to this is truly amazing

[@deeannsmith7775]

I remember all the stores . Wish they were all back 👍

[@Ltulrich]

KB Toys, Babbage's, Radio Shack, Suncoast Video, Sam Goody, Things Remembered, The Disney Store, Brookstone, Sharper Image, Country Seat, Excalibur...

[@garywilson4597]

I would like to see a video of mall restaurant chains and if they're still in business. I remember Corn Dog 7 and Orange Julius in our local mall in the 80s.

[@flashhughes1675]

Spencer's Gifts is a store I remember well.

[@ashlynndemorrow1037]

Please cover "Natural Wonders" and Waldenbooks" 💜

[@qmnnvrdyz8965]

We loved Lerner's and Sample!

[@MaxStax1]

Pier 1 Imports was always good for last minute Christmas shopping when everyone else were sold out of everything. I really liked "Hotdog on a Stick" in the food court, they sold corn dogs and freshly squeezed lemonade, or looked fresh anyway with lemon slices floating in it. They would dip the hot dog in the batter right when you ordered it.

[@thomashazard525]

My sister, Joan, had worked for JCPenneys for over 30 years until she passed away unexpectedly in 2013. Her store was at the Arnot Mall here in the Elmira NY area. The store is still here and open for business. It's where I normally shop for clothing items.

[@sherirobinson6867]

I really, really, really, really, really really really really really really miss shoe stores

[@MJA5]

here in Utah we have a local mall that still has a JCP but it’s on its last legs I’m afraid. The Salt Lake City area still has a mall that is very popular called Fashion Place, I think it’s in the suburb of Murray. I can’t explain why that one is still hopping and others in the area not so much.

[@cindypruitt9534]

I thought this would be a fun nostalgia trip but I started to tear up. I can't believe how much we have lost. I miss Casual Corner and Fashion bug. Who would have thought malls would close. There were way too many malls opened in the 90s for sure, they just ate each other up. Thanks for the video and I love your channel !😀

[@valariewillis6000]

This video made me long for the mall I used to frequent 1984-1995.... All of these stores🥺

[@pamelamays4186]

Imaginarium Toy Store. Sanrio (Hello Kitty merchandise store). Nestle Tollhouse. FAO Schwartz. The Sesame Street Store. Frederick's Of Hollywood. Zany Brainy.

[@carlahubbs8833]

I remember how people used to get excited to go to the mall it used to be a real treat to go down there and now it's just not the trim like it used to be I didn't like the idea online shopping knocking out.

[@susancorvalan6765]

Thanks RR! I enjoy time traveling with you. Bloomingdale's, I Magnin, Sak's are still doing business in Newport Beach, Ca-a very upscale area about 50 miles south of LA. I miss Bullock's, Robinson's, Buffum's, Boston Store. I don't miss Zody's, FedMart, Mervyn's, but they were important parts of retail too.

[@MisterMikeTexas]

You could have fun with the name Bullocks, lol! Especially if you were English.

[@HelenTudor-Douglas]

I still keep some old family photo's in a Buffum's Christmas box! Thanks for reminding me Susan! : )

[@samanthab1923]

There were always the rich people Malls. Short Hills, King of Prussia. The Westchester.

[@autoguy57]

The only thing they sell in Malls anymore are basketball shoes & ball caps that Quantavious & Quanisha can run out of the Mall with.

[@SgtJoeSmith]

kb toys!!!! Sears! Walden Books. radio shack. idk banana republic or sunglass hut still around? what about the calendar or custom license plate airbrushing kiosks or were those just local things? are suncoast and musicland still a thing? i aint been to a mall in over 10 years.

[@jonbeckman9566]

Sure smelled good even walking by. Hickory Farms, Spensers, Peer 1 were my favs.

[@pmafterdark]

Growing up in the 70's and 80's I remember so many of these stores so well. With the passage of time so they fade away, as does my youth.

[@sammott8557]

I remember in the mid-80s buying a Christmas gift from Wilsons on layaway, making my final payment on Christmas Eve, happy to bring the leather jacket home to Christmas wrap it just in time. I recall that at Wilsons, the saleslady had helped me pick out just the right item and from my guess (and hand-gestures of "this big"), just what size to get it in. And I loved visiting the Hickory Farms stores if only to enjoy their free samples. JC Penney was one of those bland stores, not anything special but found most anywhere.

[@MisterMikeTexas]

Hickory Farms summer sausage! And their cheeses! They were awesome! "You don't know what you got till it's gone!" - Cinderella

[@user-cn5wv6mf4g]

I love watching these videos but at the same time they make me feel melancholy ☹️

[@WAL_DC-6B]

Oh heck, I not only miss many of the mall stores listed here but also one of the first large indoor malls in the U.S., Randhurst Mall in Mt. Prospect, IL. It was torn down about 20 years ago and there's now a sort of outdoor mall in its place which just doesn't compare to the charm of the old mall.

[@WAL_DC-6B]

@recollectionroad-on-te_legram Thanks, but I got that "something" from you already.

[@WkdWnch007]

5 7 9, Encore Books, Magic Pan, Baker Shoes, Pomeroys, Korvettes, Rickels, Franks, Gaudios, A.C. Moore, Paws, Marshalls, Walden Books, Bon Ton, Bon Wit Teller, Strawbridges, Banana Republic, Sports Authority, Wanamakers, Litz, Hot Topic

[@Lizzyrock23]

What about the great Pickwick Books from the 70’s? Also The Wherehouse was a good record store that had a better selection and cheaper prices than Sam Goody or Musicland. I still miss both those stores from my youth. A really good mall also had a UA cinema in it as well.

[@bravobravoh1344]

I remember a mall store called Oshman's Sporting Goods. They sold a variety of sporting goods. I remember that they even had a layaway program. Who even has that anymore.

[@MustangSally7259]

I hate on line shopping and miss going to a physical store,esp when you need to return something.

[@karenhackney9920]

I still have my leather coat from Wilsons!

[@pameladecicco6509]

Same!!!

[@MultiPetercool]

Anyone remember Spencers Gift Shop in the mid ‘70s? The home of posters, black lights, lava lamps, candles, and bongs.

[@pameladecicco6509]

Yup. My parents hated the stuff I bought...

[@Madness832]

Both Chess King and Wilson's Leather had stand-alone stores in downtown Boston. And in the 90s, I bought really nice leather jackets, at both.

[@pameladecicco6509]

I still have my long black leather from Wilsons Boston area circa mid eighties

[@mimzyc9949]

I love these videos. I've learned so much about the history of many of the stores I used to shop in.

[@mayorb3366]

Pipe Pub and Wicks 'N' Sticks were 2 stores we'd always walk through. Loved the smell!

[@melindawood323]

The mall closest to me still has a JCPenney. We’ve all wondered how it’s still open. A Hickory Farms pops up in a storefront in a strip mall across from our mall every Christmas. I miss Dillard’s store for sure. But overall, I miss malls and the way they used to be. ❤️

[@diamondtbar9818]

I miss Spencer's! Remember the lava lamps? And the black light posters in the back?

[@ArtificialBanana]

They still exist.

[@MasterMalrubius]

@@ArtificialBanana yeah we have one in our mall

[@SgtJoeSmith]

I grew up in iowa in 80s and 90s. Between small mall in Iowa falls, and malls in Marshalltown, Ames, Cedar Falls, Fort Dodge and Des Moines i went to plus early 2000s in Fayetteville, AR, Penneys, and Gadzooks and maybe B.Daulton books are all I ever remember seeing. I bought some hawaiian shirts at gadzooks around 2000. Growing up in iowa mom and sister would shop in pennys and try on clothes while i wondered the rest of the mall or played video games in sears, hung out in baseball card shop, looked at toys and model railroad stuff in KB toys, movies in suncoast or casettes or cds in musicland or just speed walked laps in the mall. going to the mall in another city was our vacation for the month. after shopping in the mall, kmart, walmart, target for the day we get supper at mcdonalds or bonanza buffet. our town didnt have any fast food chains.

[@MichaelWyattMDW]

Waldenbooks, Electronics Boutique and Radio Shack, KB Toys, Sharper Image and Brookstone, and the one I miss the most - Suncoast

[@kjquinn7856]

I remember a men's store called Richman Brothers. They were in malls in Pennsylvania and Ohio. Their ad was "Richman Brothers' 700 fussy tailors make you know that you look great!" Also every mall seemed to have a Singer Sewing Center.

[@miriambucholtz9315]

I miss malls and I want them back. Buying clothes online just doesn't do it. If I can't try it on, I'll do without.

[@wildrosecece]

The Gap, Black and White store, New York and Company, Orange Julius

[@BELCAN57]

Borders Books used to be my favorite.

[@3Storms]

Here in Texas every mall had a guitar shop or general musical instrument shop, but for some reason they all disappeared pretty much all at once around 1989/1990. I also miss Kay-Bee toys and Toy-Box. Plus Tape World. They carried a lot (but not all) of the early thrash-metal bands that the big-brand music stores would not touch. So you could find Metallica, Voivod, Anthrax, Megadeth, Exodus, and others before mainstream stores would even think about touching that kind of music.

[@jedidrummerjake]

I had a good job working at Chess King. Got a great deal on cool clothes.

[@thomasm.7058]

The same applies to Germany as well, but we never had huge malls. It's on us to decide to go a different way more and more. Right now, photo stores are coming back, local coffee roasteries are complete new, new production methods allows tailor made clothing, and you decide the fabrics, grocery stores are most local behind a cooperative and with local products.

[@rachelchapman7876]

I remember Petite Sophisticate. Back when I had to get all dressed up for an office job it was my go-to to find blazers and dress pants that actually fit my 5' frame. I miss that. It's becoming increasingly rare to be able to find any petite size clothing in stores at all. And what's there are styles that even my 84 year old mom would call frumpy. It's such a bummer that everything is going online because I hate shopping for things to wear online. Super inconvenient having to guess what size to get, order it, have it shipped and 9 times out of 10 having to return the damn thing and order a different size.

[@mazieb5074]

Loved Sears, Montgomery Wards, Woolworth, Ames, Zayres, Spencer's and Payless Shoes!

[@JWTX]

So many iconic brands and stores gone. From our childhood and younger years. Somethings missing from life these last several years. Seems a lifetime ago. I guess just a pert of getting old or older 🤷

[@Mbartel500]

I used to like to go to Brookstone, and look at all the cool stuff they had. I never bought anything there, so I guess I was part of the problem.

[@Optopolis]

Hickory Farms is in my mall- The Frontier Mall - every year around Christmas time. Definitely not a store open year round anymore, but they even offer their products in some of the other nearby stores.

[@1921RCP]

As a teenager in the 1970s i used to go in the girly magazine section of the book store and look through the pages before the clerk came over to tell me I'm too young to be in that section. 😇

[@scottmcwave9479]

WWII Veteran or teenager in the 1970s 🤔

[@jaysotherwife6007]

I remember all of these stores and shopped in many of them. Hickory Farms beef stick was one of my favorites.

[@bigalcincinnatikidadventur7692]

I really miss those fun times!!!

[@TStodden]

Looking back at the regional mall, which seems to be on the "death spiral"... there's still a few mall stores that have disappeared over time... * K.B. Toys (Toys) * Software Ect. (PC / Console gaming -- eventually became Gamestop) * Aladdin's Castle (Arcade) * Payless Shoes (Budget Shoes) * Radio Shack (Tech / Parts) * Yonkers (Department / Clothing) * Sears There's likely others that have vanished as well (beyond the ones covered in the video)... but I've likely forgotten about them over the decades.

[@deweygill1973]

Early-mid 1970’s I bought a lot of my clothes at Chess King. I was the sharpest hippie in town. Hickory Farms was a good place to Holiday shop. Their cheese and sausage platters or cheese balls made great gifts. I’d always buy an extra for myself

[@Зоряна-н4е]

We still have South- West Mall in Cleveland. They are doing pretty well. Macy's, Dillards. JCPenney are still there, a lot of young adults clothing stores, not expensive, some kind of game stores, movie theater, food court, kids train, pictures with Santa etc. People need mall entertaiment more then mall shopping these days.

[@paul16451]

I loved novelty stores as a kid and one of my favorites was Norney's. They had stuff for any age to play with. Another store I appreciated that is still around today is Spencer Gifts, although they have shortened the name to Spencer's. Back then it was a lot more kid friendly than it is now. Nowadays, there are still a few good malls out there. I find they commonly have Target as at least one of their anchor stores, as well as a modern movie theater with reserved plush and heated seats. People still like to watch the big screen and shop afterward!

[@MyMaxKitty]

My favorite all-time jean jacket was from Mervyns. I miss that store.