20 Famous Stores From The 1980s, That No Longer Exist!

the perfect video store, welcome to Blockbuster Video, I bought the latest okie pokey, Elmo, and the clock is ticking, the phone is ringing, late fees are piling up so much during the vibrant

1980s

that many beloved

stores

defined era, but unfortunately they no

longer

exist

. Today, these

stores

were once bustling centers of activity where people bought everything from toys to electronics and music. Among these iconic names were Hollywood Video, where families rented movies for a fun movie night, and KB Toys, a children's paradise filled with all kinds of toys. there was Radio Shack, their go-to place for all things electronics and bags, where gamers found their favorite video games.

Peach records and tapes were where music lovers discovered new tunes, while Venture stores offered a wide range of products for the whole family that Nostalgia did not. It doesn't end here, so join us as we explore 20

famous

stores from the

1980s

that no

longer

exist

. Number One Hollywood Video Hollywood Video, once a thriving video rental chain, etched its name into the nostalgia of movie lovers. Founded in 1988, it quickly became the main one. Blockbuster Video rivals Hollywood video stores appeared in states such as Washington, California, Nevada and Texas. These cavernous havens span an average of 7,500 square feet and house around 16,000 video cassettes—some stores even stocked up to 200 copies of a single Blockbuster movie—but as the digital age dawned, streaming services like Netflix and Hulu were poached. the show hey, could you tell us a little bit about this movie?

Don, we need you up here the convenience of the click of a button from the comfort of Home Triumph the ritual of browsing the physical shelves Hollywood Video once filled with files Faced a cruel fate in 2010, the curtain fell on the gallery of movie theater, its parent company filed for Chapter 7 bankruptcy and the lights go out forever. Today, Hollywood Video lives on in our memories, a relic of a bygone era when rewinding tapes was an art form and Friday nights meant choosing the perfect movie for the weekend memories of the nostalgic charm of Hollywood videos flash in the minds of the ciles, but KB Toys with its Empire of Childhood Dreams based on m faces Fate similar to Hollywood videos Rise and Fall Mountain Top uh in KB Toy St number two KB Toys KB Toys, effectively known as KB Toys, once graced the bustling shopping malls of the United States.

Its story began in 1922, when the Cofman brothers, originally candy wholesalers, entered the toy business during the World War and acquired a toy company as payment for outstanding candy debts. In fact, in a sweet twist of fate in 1959 KB Toys debuted in Connecticut and evolved into KB Toy and Hobby in 1973 to take advantage of the shopping mall frenzy. It expanded rapidly, reaching 65 stores within 3 years in New England, New York, and New Jersey. KB Toys became the main one in the country. Mall-based toy emporium with 1,300 stores nationwide, however, streaming services and online shopping stole the show in 2009. KB Toys faced its last call.

Parent company Melville Corporation couldn't keep the magic alive. The era of browsing the toy aisles gave way to virtual carts and home delivery as it was called in the 80s. They want to recover their number three Sha Radio Shack store, once a beacon of electronic wonder, emerged in 1921 as an ordering business. by radio amateur mail in Boston Massachusetts, brothers Duan Theodore and Milton, driven by their love of amateur radio, created store at 46 Brattle Street their mission was to equip other radio enthusiasts with the latest in equipment in 1962 Tandy acquired Radio Shack and changed its focus to electronics in 1999 had 8,000 stores worldwide, but the challenges of the 21st century, including management problems and bankruptcy in 2015, marked its decline but like a phoenix Radio Shack rose from the ashes General Wireless, a subsidiary of Standard General, took its assets for a modest 26.2 million.

A store within a Sprint store partnership failed, leading to more closings, the digital tide rose, and Radio Shack danced online in 2020. Retail e-commerce ventures took over Reigns today Radio Shack lives on as an e-commerce website peppered with independently owned stores and franchises as Radio Shack's digital evolution reshaped its legacy. Did Bag's transformation into GameStop signal a similar shift in the gaming industry landscape? A name that echoes through the halls of gaming history, Bages emerged in 1987 as a software retailer founded by James McCurry and Gary Kusen. It initially focused on selling software for personal computers, but Destiny had other plans, a turn that would shape the gaming landscape initially. served technology enthusiasts craving video games in electronics stores and malls across the country and evolved into GameStop in 1999 embraced the evolution of gaming at the time from cartridges to consoles to immersive experiences the digital age was waning brewing and Gamers craved more than just software, they wanted tangible discs Collector's Editions and midnight release events GameStop took the stage is Cape waving with promises and so the stock markets faded into the archives leaving behind a legacy number five Discs and tapes Peach Peach Records and Tapes a symphony of nostalgia once spawned vinyl dreams in the peaches of America where you'll always find the largest selection of compact discs and cassettes, all your favorite videos and the latest in technology.

In 1975, Tom Heyman, driven by a passion for music, orchestrated the first Peaches store on Hollywood Boulevard in Los Angeles. Peaches wasn't just a store, it was a cultural center with around 50 stores in 22 cities that harmonized with music lovers Hearts each store as big as a grocery store Market housed a symphony of sounds Rock jazz blues and soul signatures of Autographs of legendary artists adorned its halls and colossal reproductions of album covers adorned the sides of the buildings, but fate played a dissonant role as the digital age grew, physical formats declined, CDs, cassettes and vinyl gave way. to streaming and downloads in 1981. millions today reverberated through Halls City Bank and Record Distributors held the final cordons number six Venture Stores Venture Stores a beloved discount retail chain that once graced the Midwest with its presence Just walk in here to the only sale that really matters Ventures going out of business liquidation where you will now save at least 30% off everything at least 30% off founded in 1968 by John F Geese, formerly of Target stores, and Dave B Venture aim to conquer the discount department store market, their first store opened its doors. in Overland Missouri on January 29, 1970, followed by another location in Fairview Heights Illinois on March 24, 1970.

Venters' growth was meteoric in the late 1980s, operating over 70 stores that dominated markets in St. Louis , Chicago and Kansas City. Their advertising slogan during this era was catchy, except Adventure, except in style or just SWS, but sadly, in 1990, Venture was separated from May's department store and became a private corporation; However, the retail landscape changed and Venture faced stiff competition from emerging discount store giants, despite their efforts the chain failed. weathering the storm in january 1998 venture stores filed for chapter 11 bankruptcy and within 6 months the once thriving stores closed their doors forever. The curtain falls on the era of Venture stores;

However, Blockbuster Video with its Reign Over movie rentals faced a similar fade. of meteoric rise followed by a rapid decline number seven Blockbuster Video Blockbuster Video once the reigning monarch of movie rentals etched itself into the hearts of movie enthusiasts across America the perfect video store would have a great selection of over 10,000 Videos Three Night Rentals So No Hurry, No Hassle Founded in 1985 by David Cook, it began as a humble family home video rental store in Dallas, Texas, but oh how it grew. Blockbuster expanded beyond BHS tapes, offering streaming movies, games, and DVDs by mail and theaters in its iconic blue color. and the yellow logo designed by Lee Dean symbolized Friday nights.

In 2004, it had 9,094 stores and 84,000 employees worldwide. However, Le's poor leadership and Netflix's mail-order and video-on-demand services led to its decline. In the late 2000s, there was a significant decline in revenue and in 2010 Blockbuster filed for bankruptcy protection for 2014 the last 300 company-owned Blockbusters dim their lights number eight Tower Records Tower Records was founded by Russ Solomon in 1960s beginnings emerged from a teenage business reselling 78 RPM jukebox records in his father's drugstore in Sacramento this humble beginning evolved into a mega record store that revolutionized our connection to music in the pre-digital age. As of January, videos and books were licensed only in the late 1970s.

Tower Record spread its wings to San Francisco, transforming a former grocery store into a musical paradise, but the real magic. happened internationally in 197 9 Tower Records Japan emerged and eventually expanded to the United Kingdom Canada Hong Kong Taiwan Singapore South Korea Thailand and even more so as a fading country Melody Tower Records faces challenges the rise of digital music piracy and Changes in consumer habits took their toll in 2006, the American chain declared bankruptcy, closing its retail stores, but the story does not end there with a surprising twist. Tower Records returned as an online retailer in 2020 with plans to open future brick-and-mortar locations number nine Toys are Us Toys R Us a treasured A paradise for kids and parents alike embarked on its journey in 1948, Toys R Us, can I help you?

Probably not. I've been everywhere and no one is that Hoke poke Elmo oh well yes he is sir, he's the last one I got, the last Charles. P Lazarus, the visionary behind this toy empire, initially founded a baby furniture retailer called Children's Bargain Town in Washington DC during the post-war Baby Boom, but Lazarus had grander dreams, filled with colorful toys and limitless imagination, In 1957 the name Toys R Us was created. its debut and the rest is history the first store was born in April 1948 located in the heart of Paris Troy Hills New Jersey Toys R R Us was not just a store, it was a Wonder Rose universe over rows of action figures and dolls.

Games and bikes attract wide-eyed visitors, but as the digital age dawned, the toy landscape changed. Mass merchants and online retailers emerged and undermined Toys R Us' market share. The company also had to deal with a heavy debt load due to a leveraged buyout orchestrated by private equity firms. In 2017 and 2018 the inevitable bankruptcy occurred, the once vibrant stores in the US, UK and Australia closed their doors leaving a void in the hearts of nostalgic children and parents. issue 10 Sharper Image Sharper Image emerged from the fertile mind of Richard Thalheimer in 1977 initially through catalogues, but soon its orbit expanded through those glossy pages and revealed a dazzling array of futuristic marble devices from high end.

Electronics, massage chairs and even air purifiers. There were 187 retail stores in 38 states, each a treasure trove of cutting-edge wonders. Customers flocked to try the exotic products, the floating massagers, the iconic Breeze air purifiers and the virtual reality headsets, the air buzzing with anticipation, but like a star burning too bright. The sharper image, the turbulence in the face, the iconic Breeze air purifier generated a controversy that tarnished the aura of the brand. The lawsuits followed consumer reports against Sharper. Image customers faced with ineffective purification in 2006 the board of directors changed and thalheimer resigned president Jerry WL took over but fate had other plans in 2008 the NASDAQ delisted Sharper Image the company hit by four years of sales losses and three consecutive years in the red found for Chapter 11 Bankruptcy Sharper images rise and fall Echoes through the halls of retail history, however, Circuit City with its vibrantred logo and Labyrinth of electronic wonders Face of Destiny similar to sharper images Trip number 11 Circuit City Circuit City Once registered as a haven for technology enthusiasts your name in the animals of American retail history if you love the convenience of shopping online but want to get your stuff as soon as possible.

Circuit City makes it simple. Founded in 1949 by Samuel Wartel and Alan Elor, it rose to fame during the 1980s with its distinctive red logo and sprawling stores, Circuit City became the go-to destination for all things electronics, from televisions and stereos to computers and video games. It catered to both the tech-savvy and the curious. The Circuit City experience was. Unforgettable shelves packed with gadgets and expertly guided salespeople. customers through the Choice Maze The Circuit City Superstore concept launched in the 1980s revolutionized electronics retailing. It was a cathedral of innovation where shoppers could explore the latest VCRs, cameras and CD players.

However, the 2008 financial crisis and the rise of online shopping dealt a crushing blow. On January 16, 2009, Circuit City faced its grim reality of bankruptcy. The company with 567 stores in the United States and 34,000 employees tried to liquidate the liquidation sale began and the iconic red signs of C City dimmed the once vibrant Islands, they fell silent, leaving a void in the hearts of technology. Enthusiast Number 12 Comp USA Comp USA originally known as Soft Warehouse emerged in 1984 as a Soft Warehouse in Addison, Texas, across the United States. Computers are changing people's lives and one company is changing the way people buy them.

Comp USA, founded by Errol Jacobson and Mike ktz. It embarked on a national expansion in 1988 and opened its first megastore in Atlanta in the early 1990s. Comp USA had transformed into a large national chain that boasted at least 229 locations at its peak. What made Comp USA stand out was its commitment to providing personal computers to the consumer. electronic technology products and computer services, all under one roof, was a haven for technology enthusiasts, whether looking for the latest PCS peripherals or cutting-edge devices; However, despite its initial success, Comp USA faced several challenges, with intense competition from other brick-and-mortar retailers reducing its margins as it moved forward.

A result from 2006 Comp USA began by closing what had been considered underperforming locations in 2008, only 16 stores remained and they were eventually sold to Systemx in a twist of fate. The remaining Comp USA and Circuit City stores were rebranded as Tiger Direct Outlets number 13. Borders Books Borders Books, once a beloved haven for bibliophiles etched its legacy on the literary landscape during the late 1980s and beyond . Founded in 1971 by brothers Tom and Lewis, Borders in Ann Arbor, Michigan, the original Borders Bookstore opened its doors at 209 South State Street, what began as a modest business soon became a national enterprise.

The phenomenon at the borders was noted for its wide selection of books Maps CDs DVDs calendars gift packages magazines and board games It was not just a bookstore, it was a cultural center in 2010 borders operated 511 hypermarkets throughout the United States along with 175 retail stores Specialized under the Walden Books umbrella included Borders Express, airport stores and Borders Outlet. However, the digital age passed on Shadow Over Borders. Intense competition along with the company's struggle to adapt to online sales led to financial problems in February 2011. Borders filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection. and began liquidating 226 stores in the United States.

Borders could begin closing some stores as soon as Friday. The closures could affect shopping malls and paperback publishers and 10,700 people nationwide with the pages of Borders Books' cultural legacy turned. a similar swoon in the digital age number 14 Walden books Walden books a treasured name in the world of books embarked on its journey during the onslaught of the Great Depression in 1933 Lawrence Hoy and Melvin Kafka founded Walden Book Company in Bridgeport Connecticut their vision was simple but profound to provide alternative entertainment to people struggling with economic hardships, they established rental libraries where books could be borrowed for just 3 cents a day.

A lifesaver for those who couldn't afford to buy books. In 1962, they opened their first independent bookstore. In Pittsburgh, within a decade and a half, the company expanded into more than 250 locations located inside several department stores. The era of rental libraries waned and was replaced by book retailing, especially with the advent of inexpensive paperbacks after World War II. However, the digital age cast its borders in the shadows. Group that had already absorbed Walden Books as a subsidiary in 1995 due to the financial crisis of 2011, the chain met its fate: liquidation due to bankruptcy number 15. Sam goody Sam goody, a name that once resonated among book enthusiasts music, had its humble beginnings in the late 1940s. at Sam Goody over 10,000 gifts for less than $15 Sam Goody Gtz a New Yorker opened a small record store on 9th Avenue in New York City just as the long-playing vinyl records While his flagship store on 49th Street served retail customers most of his Thrive business through pioneering mail-order sales at discount prices, Sam Goody became a folk hero among college students cash-strapped offering discounts on LPs on a mass scale in 1951, when Sam Goody's name adorned a chain of record stores, these stores became havens for music lovers seeking vinyl records, cassettes and more late.

CD's acquisitions, including the rebranding of Licorice Pizzerias as Sam Goody stores in 1986, fueled the company's growth at its peak. Music Land Group, Sam Goody's parent company, operated over 1,300 stores, of which over 800 were Sam Goody locations and they scored an impressive two. billion in annual revenue, yet the digital revolution disrupted the music retail landscape. Best Buy acquired Music Land in 2000, but its attempt to transform it into a youth-oriented Tech Hub caused Sam Goody Face to go bankrupt in 2006, leading to the closure of most of its 16th stores. Effectively the burgeoning Dales of discount, it emerged in 1951 thanks to Carl and Dorothy Bennett's entrepreneurial spirit of valuing everything, it was a discount store that would challenge the norm, a place where quality triumphs over mediocrity and prices dance between a 10 and 40% below.

The manufacturer suggested list prices Its inaugural store in Portchester, New York, carried the name Heat an amalgamation of its names Heat catered to the middle to upper-middle class offering hard-branded products such as appliances Electronics Home furnishings Jewelry and sports equipment Its slogan Where to buy It's always a pleasure was not mere marketing, it was their Creed in 1985, when Carl retired, the chain had made more than a billion in sales, it had become a subsidiary of associated Dry Goods, the digital age was looming and Kor faced financial storms in the 1990s, the once thriving chain ran into trouble in May 1999, the curtain fell and the liquidation spread across all 145 C Door stores hello, honey, hello, ah, did you remember, yes, I stopped by ANS and picked up your father's gift.

Did you get the sweater right? Not exactly, they had too many. I couldn't make up my mind number 17 and it's Abraham and Strauss Abraham and Strauss commonly known as ANS was a major New York City department store with roots dating back to 1865, founded by Joseph Wesler and Abraham Abraham, initially operated under the name wesler and Abraham, however, in 1893 the Strauss family, including Isidor Strauss and Nathan Strauss, acquired a general partnership with Macy's department store and bought out Joseph Westler. The store was renamed Abraham and Strauss. ANS continued to thrive offering clothing, footwear, bedding, furniture, jewelry, beauty products. and household goods, however, in the 1990s, Federated Department Stores acquired the RH Macan company and shortly after the ANS brand met its fate on April 30, 1995, the Abraham and Strauss name disappeared replaced by the most widely recognized Macy's number 18 liono Kitty City liono Kitty City a The beloved toy store chain once graced the upside-down American shopping landscape.

The other way around. Its history began around 1957 in Philadelphia, where it emerged as a toy supermarket. In the early 1970s, the Liono corporation, known for its iconic model trains, acquired the chain under various names. liono Kitty City liono Playworld and until 1990 Lionel toy Warehouse flourished into a network of 150 stores for a time, it ranked as the second largest toy store chain in the United States, however, the winds of change blew fiercely, the The recession of the early 1980s hit Lionel hard. Filing for Chapter 11 bankruptcy in February 1982, the company reduced its size to 55 stores, but emerged from bankruptcy in September 1985.

By 1991, Lionel had regained its position with 100 stores and securing fourth place among toy retailers nationwide, but Fade had other plans. On June 2, 1993, Lionel announced its heartbreaking decision to liquidate and close all stores as memories of the vibrant toy aisles of Lionel Kitty City faded into Nostalgia, as did the rise and fall of the FW Woolworth company. with its iconic lunch counters and diverse offerings. the story of Lionel's rise and eventual closure with these retail giants that were once pillars of American shopping culture continues to stir fond memories and lessons learned and the ever-evolving landscape of retail number 19 the FW Woolworth Company The FW Woolworth Company affectionately known as Woolworths was a retail giant that left an indelible impact on American history this week during W worth F days look for huge price discounts throughout the store, plus hundreds of gift ideas and beautiful greeting cards Buzza Gibson's Mother's Day, founded by Frank Winfield Woolworth in 1879, pioneered the concept of the Five and Dime Store, a place where everyday items were priced at five or 10 cents.

The store thrived during the 1980s, offering an eclectic mix of products, from toys and clothing to home clothing and snacks. The iconic woolen lunch counters were a cultural phenomenon that served at affordable prices. meals and became gathering places for people of all backgrounds, but in the late 1980s Woolworth faced stiff competition from discounters and specialty retailers, the rise of big box stores like Walmart, and the appeal of grassroots chains like Gap and Toys R R Us took their toll. to adapt and their once thriving empire began to crumble and number 20 Egghead software Egghead software, a computer software retailer, once graced the technology landscape with its vibrant presence, founded in 1984 by Victor D alade, began as a single store in Belleview, Washington, customers could register. for a new quirky-sounding card offering discounts in June 1987, Egghead had grown into a network of 50 stores along the West Coast, even going public through an initial offering in 1988, however, After tough times, stock prices plummeted, lawsuits broke out, and inventory problems plagued the company.

Undeterred, Egghead expanded in 1995, moving its headquarters to Spokane and has 2,500 employees and retail stores in 30 state. However, in 1997, Egg sold its education and corporate government division and in 1998 closed most of its stores opting for online sales only during the period. Its stock skyrocketed, but Euphoria was short-lived in 2001. Egghead filed for bankruptcy and its domain name found a new home on amazon.com.