Entertainment
This video rental chain, founded in 1988, was the biggest competitor to Blockbuster, offering movies and video game rentals. After the rise of streaming services, it shut down all locations in 2010.
Hollywood Video
This luxury toy store, founded in 1862, was known for its massive New York City flagship and its famous giant piano. After financial struggles, its iconic store closed in 2015, though the brand later returned under new ownership.
FAO Schwarz
The retailer was known for West Coast-inspired fast fashion, especially for teenagers. You may have seen this store in malls. It abruptly closed all stores in 2017.
Wet Seal
This beloved department store, famous for its catalog shopping, opened in 1886 but gradually shut down all locations by 2018.
Sears
This Houston amusement park, opened in 1968, was built by Six Flags and became famous for rides like the Texas Cyclone. It shut down in 2005 due to declining attendance and land value disputes. It also shares it's name with a popular Houston hip-hop artist's album.
Astroworld
This electronics retailer, founded in 1949, was once a major competitor to Best Buy, selling TVs, computers, and home audio systems. After struggling with online competition, it closed all stores in 2009.
Circuit City
An American toy, clothing, and baby product retailer owned by Tru Kids and various others. Its first store was built in 1948. Hint: A lot of the empty stores have been used by "Spirit" during Halloween season.
This discount shoe retailer, founded in 1956, was known for offering affordable footwear for the whole family. After filing for bankruptcy twice, it closed all U.S. stores in 2019.
Payless
This was a department store chain that operated in the US from 1923-2020. The store was known for its high-end designer clothing. The original store was located in Manhattan.
Barneys
This home goods retailer, founded in 1971, was a staple for bedding, bath products, and kitchenware. After years of declining sales, it filed for bankruptcy and shut down all stores in 2023.
Bed Bath & Beyond
This was a book and stationery retailer that was founded in the United States in 1971 by brothers Tom and Louis Borders, who opened their first bookshop in Ann Arbor, MI.
Borders
This was an educational toy store in the 1980s. Stores started closing in the 1990s, and by 2003, its parent company, Toys R Us, had closed them all.
Imaginarium
This chain specialized in college-related clothing and private-label casual clothing. Amanda Bynes debuted a clothing line at this chain in 2007.
Steve & Barry's
This East Coast department store, founded in 1857, was known for its quality clothing, home goods, and furniture. Once a major retail chain, it was absorbed into Macy’s in 2006 and ceased operations.
Hecht's
This music retailer, famous for its bold yellow-and-black storefronts, closed its last U.S. store in 2006 but still operates in Japan.
Tower Records
This store was founded in 1985 as a single home video rental shop, but later became a public store chain featuring video game rentals, DVD-by-mail, streaming, video on demand, and cinema theater.
Blockbuster
This store was a United States retail store chain that sold educational toys and specialized in science kits, books, and hands-on learning toys aimed at children ages 0-13. It filed for bankruptcy and closed all locations by 2001.
Zany Brainy
This upscale women’s plus-size fashion retailer, founded in 1901, specialized in casualwear, work attire, and formal dresses before closing in 2020 after filing for bankruptcy.
Catherine's
This was a department store chain that sold clothing, housewares and more. The first store opened in Cleveland, OH in 1860. The store was a major part of downtown Cleveland and a popular destination for holiday shopping.
Higbee's
This electronics and gadget retailer, once a rival to Best Buy, opened in 1921 but shut down most of its locations by 2017.
RadioShack
This record store chain sold music, videos, and video games. The chain filed for bankruptcy in 2006 and closed most of its stores.
Sam Goody
This mall-based toy store, founded in 1922, was a go-to destination for action figures, dolls, and board games. Once a dominant toy retailer, it filed for bankruptcy and closed all stores by 2009.
KB Toys
This started out as a mail-order company, and then opened bricks-and-mortar stores starting in 1999. It was popular for teen girls in the 90s because of its sassy catalog.
Delia's
This luxury department store, founded in 1826, was the oldest in the U.S. and known for its high-end fashion, designer handbags, and elegant window displays. It closed its last physical locations in 2021 after nearly 200 years in business.
Lord & Taylor
This chain of entertainment facilities featured games and elaborate indoor mazes designed for young children. A talking robot character named Z-Bop served as mascot to the chain.
Discovery Zone aka DZ