The Final Days of the Christmas Tree Shops: Saying Goodbye... Manchester, Connecticut.

Join me as a take a look at the final days of the Christmas Tree Shops between May and August 2023!
This video was filmed on May 14, 2023, July 30, 2023 and August 12, 2023 (the final day).
If you liked this video, please don't forget to give me a thumbs up, leave a comment and subscribe to my channel. I plan to have more dead mall videos in the future. Thanks for watching!
Source of information:
en.wikipedia.o...
#connecticut #manchester #retail #christmastreeshops #stores #storetours #shopping #shoppingvlog

[@smitty1952]

For a store about to go out of business, it looks very clean and neat. Unlike Ocean State which NEVER looked this good.

[@SSNESS]

They should’ve named it something else

[@maryannefeyer6332]

I used to love that store, but then they ranged from junk to overpriced with very little in-between. Dumbest thing they ever did was change the logo; I’m sure that cost a wasted fortune.

[@russmbps8443]

I have so much memories of Christmas tree shop. It was 1st store I went when I got my driver license by myself. I use to go to the one in Holyoke Mall.

[@chris4195]

Thank you for documenting the store through videos. I liked the Manchester store and am very sad to see it go. It holds a special place in my heart as a longtime family friend who lived in Manchester (who has since passed away) used to shop at this store a lot and would bring us things from there. It wasn't until 2019 that I ventured down here from Newington and from that point on I took my mom regularly until the closure. I'll never forget the first time I shopped there, I bought a bird bath for my mom and a customer in the back of me at the checkout who resembled Paula Deen complimented the bird bath. It's still on our patio. Now, we didn't shop here in the store's heyday but it was still a great store in 2019. Even after the new owners took over, it was decent, but as they started getting in new merchandise, the quality started to go down as well as the selection. The exception was the holiday decor. They had some really nice things as late as last Christmas. It was harder to find things I could really use. Nevertheless, my mom always was able to find things each visit. It was always busy so we made sure to get there for opening time. Veteran's Day 2021 was so crowded you couldn't get your cart through there. They were having a military discount but the holiday season was like that anyway. Last year was still busy. The real decline started after Christmas. We went in January 2023 and they still had aisles and aisles of marked down holiday merchandise. I really didn't think anything of it at the time but they usually boxed up a lot of the holiday stuff by mid-January. It was always moved to that back room. Fast-forward to Memorial Day Saturday in May (a few weeks after your first video), it was apparent they may not make it. I was aware of the bankruptcy and people were complaining online about the lack of merchandise in the store. The first thing we noticed was the fact they didn't have any flowers outside. They had sold plants yearly during Spring/Summer and even Mums in Fall. Some other customer commented about that too. Then we heard other customers complaining about how little was in the store and also how expensive everything got. The whole shopping trip was depressing. Nevertheless, I had high hopes the chain would recover by August. I guess that was just what companies say to cover themselves when the inevitable happens. When they announced the sales, I went the day before they started to get a few things I wanted before they raised the prices. Was glad I did. I will be honest I never thought this store would disappear. Off-price stores are one of the viable concepts left. I guess bad management didn't help. I went twice during the closing sales with my mom. We bought things for sentimental reasons and only things we needed or wanted. We were there a few days after your second video and were also there the last day. We went early. What time were you there? Was afraid to see if we were in the video. I'm convinced they shipped some merchandise to other stores. I know there was a steady stream of customers throughout, but that was sure a change in stock left from July 30 to August 12. Maybe it did sell. We were weary of pricing and actually the cashier the first visit of the closing sale entered in an additional 20% off everything. So we got some good deals. More than anything, we will miss the store unlike those who just wanted a deal. I miss it already. It was a shopping excursion for me and my mom and will hold memories. We traveled up from Newington and would stop at a farm stand in Glastonbury on the way home and also just recently an Ocean State Job Lot enroute to home. We at least have other places to shop but not as special and unique as CTS. Hated the new logo too.

[@weakcheeks9310]

You should do a video of the Ollie's Discount Store in Manchester CT. They have a large book section. I always enjoyed visiting CTS but sadly there were none close to where I live in Connecticut.

[@kendraokane3885]

I’m at the cape now, so sad to drive by all of these empty stores now. Especially since they made the building facades beautiful!

[@_EnisStudiosASNR]

This was my local Christmas tree shop I went to with my aunt when I was younger, sad to see it go.

[@PaDdOcKcHanNeL1]

A store that at one time specialized in Christmas and seasonal holidays, but was transformed into exactly what you keep referring it to, an OSJL.

[@madmerlot841]

There must be a warehouse FULL of fixtures from closed retailers. I would not be surprised that these fixtures are over 30 years old from other retailers that closed before CTS.

[@Johnnykeys100]

I’ve gone to this Manchester location many times over the years, and it’s sad to see it go. I thought it was really good when Bed Bath & Beyond owned it, but as soon as it was sold in 2020 I didn’t care for it as much. It didn’t have the same feel and the inventory had changed. Very interesting about the Mike & Ike’s! Goes to show you how you can be fooled as a consumer.

[@deborahdesanto2313]

I like your videos please keep making them.

[@fleabittenadventures]

Thanks. That's the plan!

[@HarrisonHanson-hy7or]

Hmmm I hadn’t realized they HAD gone out of business. I’d say 1/2 of their problem is most of the public thought they only sold Xmas stuff.

[@darrenthorne6247]

They are very much like Ocean State Job Lot, but always a bit more "upscale". Back when Bed, Bath & Beyond owned them, they used to funnel a lot of their discontinued into the CTS stores to sell at a lower price. Shame to see them go, they were a nice regional store.

[@tonymanzo3766]

Depressing to see that store go out of business, did my Christmas and st patty’s day stuff plus anything throughout the year. Outdoor decorations and tablecloths for the seasons. I don’t want to deal with Amazon it’s not the same thing. The store hasn’t been good for a number of years probably since bed bath and beyond bought them out. The better quality stuff suddenly wasn’t available at cts. But the store still had lots of merchandise to choose from. Much better than ocean state or five below. And forget wallyworld Walmart or target, why do these stores go under, I used to go to odd job, webers, national wholesale liquidators. They all had style. Sorry I’m running on here.

[@Daddyezee]

I didn’t even know they was going out of business as I go to the music store almost all the time or on Deming Street

[@OriginalNethead]

Just in case - liquidatiors often mark things up before marking them down. It's a known practice. I pretty well only go on closing day for just that reason. As for the fixtures - all I can see doing with those is about 6 cents/pound down at the scrap yard.

[@mindyd1985]

I used to love this store!!! Was always an adventure to go there, we're at least a half hour away from Manchester, so we'd make a day out of it. Very sad!

[@TiltedTripodMedia]

Wow your stores liquidation was long. All my stores were long gone by August. Also on final day all that was left were some fixtures. Mostly the sore was empty.

[@matrixman7706]

Can’t say that I’m surprised, the retail apocalypse continues.

[@jeffwalker8101]

Tom, the one that I went into at Mrytle Beach, SC was only Christmas stuff.This store has about everything.

[@charlestonpinballarcade]

Yup… they did a bad job naming it what they did. We used to go to the CTS in Erie, PA and it was great. The new logo looks like a call center or cleaning company logo.

[@jasond2333]

Went here as a kid.

[@LunarNoire]

Wow so they did go out of business. I was curious because my mom and I went to visit a fabric store in Orange/Milford in the Christmas Tree Shop Plaza and the lot was pretty much empty and I was shocked. No one coming in or going out. It was one of my favorite places to visit on occasion because they had a lot of stuff for good prices.

[@AWB_Official-r6t]

It's way, way more than Christmas stuff

[@adventuringwithjay5931]

This was my childhood spot in Manchester

[@BlackArroToons]

What is odd is that even during Christmas, I never saw any Christmas trees being sold at my local CTS. They sold all the trinkets, but no actual trees. I used to go there for pistachios and snacks when in the area, and sometimes a trinket or ice cream bar. Disappointing they went under as my store did well.

[@fredWaxBeans11111]

I've been to that store many times. I had no idea they were going out of business. I also agree about the logo change. What were they thinking? Even a boring state credit Union Logo has more character lol.

[@TiltedTripodMedia]

Wow, this location is weird looking on the outside I recently filmed three locations within the Midwest that went out of business and they are posted on my channel. I also filmed a couple of times in previous years before the stores went out of business and during Christmas time, so you could see what the store look like during the holiday season hope you guys enjoy your video was cool

[@TiltedTripodMedia]

I managed to score a hand basket with the store name on it. I wanted the plaque outside that had the store name and hours. It was small and just unscrewed. I was told I could have it last day. So I came back and then was refused because they claimed removing it would damage the building. Well it will have to be unscrewed at some point. I came back the day after closing and it was gone 🤬 don’t you just love being lied to?

[@AidenSexsmith]

Christmas Tree Shops were wonderful according to my parents. I was at the Manchester CT store last year and it was crowded. Now CTS was acquired by Bed Bath & Beyond and it started going downhill. I wish someone would buy the name, and make a regional store. BBBY used to be a good store too but they got involved in politics. As my dad say, Go woke, go broke.

[@PinkAgaricus]

I thought they only sold Christmas Trees and decorations as well. I feel like the name itself didn't work since most people would avoid the store thinking "why would I buy Christmas related things in the middle of May?" and drive away ignoring the store, not even giving it a try to discover it also sells stuff outside of Christmas. I just feel like the name was a poor choice.

[@OriginalNethead]

I don't think I was in a Christmas Tree Shop after they got bought out in 2003. I know someone who wants a card rack for his store, but even if I'd been there I had no way to haul one home.

[@angeladawson8424]

I had never been in there stores. The creditors will be. Happy that they will get thousands of dollars owed to them. It's just sickening that thousands of stores over the past few years have had this happen to them also.

[@HarrisonHanson-hy7or]

Well YOU didn’t know what they were selling. So apparently their signage has always been confusing.

[@maxcapacity7022]

I think I saw a Chicklet.

[@tracyroth-myers5574]

I would never buy anything in the store even if it was full in stock to the shelves. Everything looks so Cincy and cheap nasty absolutely gross.

[@jamesbrown9057]

Good riddance. This store just sold cheap China crap

[@jimmyg6215]

Joes economy is really working hard…… At bankrupting everyone. It’s going to be an ugly next 18 months.

[@smallcap11]

Trumps economy led to record job losses.

[@jamesbrown9057]

Trump gave away 4 trillion of our money to companies so .....