It's that time again, the most wonderful time of the year. Where everyone is in the hustle and bustle of completing end of year tasks, holiday events, tree lighting ceremonies and of course holiday shopping. Even though online shopping has taken over, there is still an immense amount of value in actually going to a store, soaking in the atmosphere, and feeling the products before you buy it.
With all that in mind, and a few short days from Christmas. I thought about some stores I really enjoyed going to when I was a kid. Even though I didn't have money of my own to spend. Once again since I am a very nostalgic person, I decided to write this blog about stores that are no longer with us, that I really wish were.
5. K- B Toys
Check it, in the 90's and earlyish 2000's every mall had a space for K-B Toys. Filled with toys and often having some toys on display you could play with near the front of the store. I'm in Baltimore, and the major shopping malls of the day (Towson, Security, White Marsh, Westview, Reisterstown Plaza, and many more) all had K-B Toys in them.
I don't remember them really having anything exclusive to draw people in. I think it was the convenience of being in the mall, that drew all us kids in. And damnit they got me. The chain suffered a slow death in the 2000's before finally being sold to Toys 'R' Us in 2009.
4. Sam Goody
In this digital age of streaming, physical media seems to be an afterthought. Except to me and a few other people I know who still appreciate and at times prefer physical media.
For those unaware, once upon a time there stores filled with physical media. Cassette tapes, CD's, VHS, and later DVD. During those times Sam Goody was thee mall store to turn to when you wanted the latest releases.
Sam Goody was also known for playing the hottest tracks throughout the store. A subtle sales pitch to get folks to buy entire albums.
By the early 2000's Sam Goody had seen better days. The company filed for bankruptcy in 2006. There are still a few "children" of Sam Goody left like FYE. Even that is not the same.
3. Caldor
I've often said that if Caldor was still around, Target would not have my pockets in the chokehold it does. In fact both stores would probably have me broke.
When I was a young kid (before the age of 10), I dont recall any Walmarts or Targets in my area. My family shopped at Ames, Value City, K-Mart and the holy grail Caldor.
Caldor as a department store just had everything you needed. In fact it essentially was Target before Target, Target swagger jacked so much from them. Another company that crumbled in the early 2000's..man I miss Caldor.
2 Circuit City
Back in the 90's and early 2000's you had department stores like Walmart, Sears and JCPenney that sold electronics. There was rival chain Best Buy but nothing compared to Circuit City.
As much I enjoy shopping at Best Buy, Circuit Citys showroom just had a aura about it. Everything was immaculately placed and neat, relatively easy to find and it seemed like the store had a certain flow to it. That encouraged shoppers to traverse the whole store aimlessly.
The chain also had a catchy jingle and later made great use of a classic Cars song. It's a shame the store is no longer around, but it was a great place to shop in its day.
1. Toys 'r' Us
Ok, so Toys 'R' Us is attempting to mount a comeback. Having sections in Macys department stores. The jury is still out on what will become of it.
For now I'm talking about the cultural icon that was Toys 'R' Us. We all know the jingle and remember the fond memories. Walking into huge stores that rivaled any Super Walmart filled with toys to make any kids dreams come true.
The epitome of a toy store, it's shelves were stocked with board games, video games, dolls, action figures bicycles. You name it, they had it. The stores were so big as a kid it seemed like you could easily get lost in there.
Now that I have a young daughter I wish we could walk the aisles, killing time and trying out new toys I have no intentions of buying.
Toys 'R' Us sadly filed for bankruptcy and closed stores in 2018. Shattering the hearts of so many adults who grew up wanting to be a Toys 'R' Us kid.
