Stories

Can you think of any stores you used to shop at that are no longer around? Don't you wish you could step foot in one of them again? There are tons of stores that everyone shopped at in the 1970s that have since gone out of business. Perhaps another store came around that forced it out, or online competition got too fierce. Whatever the reason, we really wish we could go to some of these places again! Check out a list of stores from the 1970s that we really wish would reopen! 1. Gimbels Facebook Gimbels was a department store that basically sold everything. They had home appliances, furniture, clothing, toys, art supplies, and more. Gimbels was started in 1887 but became a chain department store in the 1920s. Sadly, they went out of business in 1987. Gimbels started the department store parade idea in the 1920s as well. The store has been featured in many movies and TV shows over the years including Miracle on 34th Street, Elf, and The Goldbergs. 2. Sharper Image Facebook Sharper Image was founded in 1977. Do you remember checking it out at the mall and seeing what new gadgets they had? Sharper Image first started as a catalog company to sell jogging watches, but later included those electronic gadgets, massage chairs, and other futuristic goodies. Unfortunately, they went bankrupt in 2008 and all of the stores left malls. You can still shop online though, but it is not the same. 3. KB Toys Facebook KB Toys was a popular toy store that was mainly in malls. It started in 1922 and was originally just a candy store. For a while, it was the second biggest toy store in the United States. KB Toys eventually went out of business in 2009 and Toys "R" Us bought the remaining products. Read on to the next page for more stores, including Woolworth's! 4. Linens 'n Things Flickr Linens 'n Things sold housewares, linens, towels, and other decorative home items. They were founded in 1975 and aimed to sell the best home products at inexpensive prices. Unfortunately, they went under in 2009, but they do still have an online presence. 5. Woolworth's Wikipedia Woolworth's was the original model for those "five and dime" stores you know and love. Basically, it means they sell everything! Woolworth's was founded in 1878 but eventually went out in 1997. The first stores mainly sold products for five or ten cents, which was where the "five and dime" saying came from. 6. Crown Books Wikimedia Commons Crown Books, of course, sold books, but eventually, they also sold greeting cards, games, and other gift items. The company was started in 1977 and grew rapidly, becoming one of the top bookstores in the country. They closed their doors in 2001 after filing for bankruptcy earlier. Read on to the next page to find out what other bookstores are on this list! 7. Borders Flickr Another bookstore on this list, Borders was opened in 1971. Like Crown Books, they were a large book retailer but also went on to sell magazines, music, and other gifts. They closed in 2011 and now Barnes & Noble is the largest bookstore in the United States with little competition. 8. Filene's Basement Flickr Filene's Basement was a department store chain that mainly sold high-end goods. They had an automatic markdown system that was different and well-known. It was started in 1908 and eventually dissolved in 2011. Do you still own anything you bought from Filene's? 9. Service Merchandise Facebook Service Merchandise was founded in 1934. In the 1970s and 1980s, they were the leading catalog-showroom retailer selling fine jewelry, electronics, sporting goods, toys, and more. Unfortunately, as discounted retailers like Walmart came along, it forced them out of business. They were out by 2002. Read on to the last page to find out what other stores we miss! 10. B. Dalton Wikimedia Commons B. Dalton Bookseller was another popular book retailer, mainly housed in malls. It was started in 1966, but eventually got bought out by Barnes & Noble. The last stores were gone around 2013. 11. FAO Schwarz Flickr FAO Schwarz is a well-known toy store. It was founded in 1862. The New York City location was the most popular. It briefly closed, but then came back a few years later so you can still visit just one location. There were FAO Schwarz boutiques inside Toys "R" Us, but we now know those are gone. You may remember seeing FAO Schwarz stores in movies like Big, Home Alone 2: Lost in New York, and The Smurfs. 12. A&P Wikipedia A&P was a popular grocery store chain. It was founded in 1859 and eventually became the largest grocery store chain in the United States. After some competition, it ultimately failed. It filed for bankruptcy in 2010 and five years later closed all remaining stores. Which stores do you miss shopping at the most? Which ones do you wish someone would reopen? If you enjoyed this article, please SHARE with your friends and family and see which store they miss the most! Watch this video of people playing the big piano from FAO Schwarz. They are amazing!: