24 Favorite Childhood Stores That Don’t Exist In 2025
Do you remember your favorite childhood store, the one where you spent hours exploring aisles filled with toys, clothes, or candy?
Stepping inside felt like entering a whole new world. These stores were more than just places to shop—they were a big part of our growing up.
However, as time passed, many of them faded away. FAO Schwarz, once a magical toy wonderland, is now just a memory, along with countless others that once brought us immense joy.
Prepare for a nostalgic journey as we revisit the stores that shaped our childhoods but have since disappeared. Even though their doors have closed, their legacy lives on in our hearts.
I wonder which store you will miss the most!.
1. Woolco
Woolco was a well-known retail giant celebrated for its wide range of products offered at affordable prices. Its “one-stop shop” concept made it easy for customers to find everything from everyday essentials to unexpected treasures.
Woolco opened locations in both the U.S. and Canada and quickly gained popularity. However, after 20 years of operation, it closed in the early 1980s as newer retail formats began to emerge.
Do you remember shopping at Woolco? What was your favorite find?
2. FAO Schwarz
What’s your favorite memory from FAO Schwarz?
It is a magical wonderland for both kids and adults, known for its grand displays and high-quality toys. The store exuded joy, featuring towering shelves filled with plush animals and dolls. Every visit felt like stepping into a fairy tale.
Founded in 1862 in New York, FAO Schwarz became an iconic destination. Changing retail trends and rising competition led to the closure of many locations, including the iconic Fifth Avenue store. This marked the end of an era.
3. Bonwit Teller
Bonwit Teller, known for its elegance and high fashion, created a luxurious shopping experience that made every customer feel unique.
Founded in 1895, Saks Fifth Avenue and Bergdorf Goodman continue this legacy, offering similar atmospheres of high-end fashion and impeccable service.
These iconic names have inherited the spirit of Bonwit Teller. Have you ever felt its allure, or heard stories of its golden days?
4. Katz Drugstore
Founded in 1897 in St. Louis, Katz Drugstore was more than just a pharmacy. It was famous for its soda fountain, which served homemade ice cream, milkshakes, and sandwiches.
Katz became a community hub where families, friends, and locals gathered for decades.
With its cozy atmosphere, retro charm, and friendly staff, Katz was a beloved spot for generations. However, it closed after 70 years, and its legacy lives on, especially the nostalgic memories of its iconic soda fountain. For many, Katz wasn’t just a store but a cherished part of life.
Do you remember it?
5. Montgomery Ward & Co.
Montgomery Ward & Co., founded in 1872, revolutionized shopping with its mail-order catalogs, allowing customers to shop from home. Expanding into brick-and-mortar stores, it became a destination for affordable, high-quality products like appliances and clothing.
Known for friendly service and a wide variety of goods, Montgomery Ward became a beloved community staple. However, as retail trends changed and competition grew, the company struggled.
Despite its decline, Montgomery Ward’s legacy remains, remembered fondly by those who once shopped there.
6. Sears
Let’s take a journey—not just through a store but through history, nostalgia, and Sears’s enduring spirit.
Founded 1893 in the U.S., Sears was an iconic department store that primarily served middle-class families with affordable products.
Unfortunately, it was the last store on the list to close, shutting its doors in 2018. Sears offered various products, including clothing, tools, and furniture. The Kenmore fridge was the best seller among its offerings, becoming a staple in many modern homes.
Is this fridge still in your home?
7. Western Auto
If you were looking for car parts or DIY project supplies, there was only one address—Western Auto.
The shelves were filled with tools and camping gear. To the great sorrow of many, Western Auto closed its doors in the 1980s.
The best-selling product was vehicle repair tools, which everyone had. Customers trusted the quality, so Western Auto remains synonymous with a reliable store in the USA even today.
Don’t worry; you’ve got a friend you can always count on. That’s AutoZone—carrying Western Auto’s legacy, just like the old days.
8. Kinney Shoes
It’s time to talk about Kinney Shoes—a trusted name in footwear with 335 stores across the U.S.
Imagine the excitement of selecting your newborn’s first pair of shoes—a moment filled with joy and anticipation.
Kinney Shoes was known for its best-selling everyday shoes, sandals, and boots, all offered at affordable prices. It was also the first to introduce free returns for unsatisfied customers—a policy that set it apart.
This footwear giant, which outfitted generations, closed its doors in 1998. Do you remember your first pair from Kinney?
9. Zayre
Affordability + luxury = Zayre.
This store had something for everyone, offering a wide range of products at great prices.
Zayre was known for its vouchers and coupons, which helped customers save even more. Its slogan, “For every day, for every budget,” showed its focus on affordability.
The biggest Zayre store was in Boston, Massachusetts. After Zayre closed, many of its locations were taken over by other stores. Most notably, TJ Maxx took over a lot of Zayre stores in 1998, continuing its legacy of value and variety.
10. Fotomat
We’re in the 1960s. What is a digital camera? When will it be invented? Never mind—we have Fotomat.
Easily recognizable by their iconic yellow roofs, Fotomat kiosks were a staple in parking lots across the U.S. These small, convenient hubs became the go-to spots for anyone eager to develop their freshly captured memories.
For just $1 to $2 per photo, it was quick, affordable, and a memorable experience.
However, as technology progressed and digital photography emerged, the need for film development waned. Sadly, this shift led to the disappearance of over 4,000 yellow-roofed kiosks.
11. W. T. Grants
Can you imagine a store where everything costs just 5 or 10 cents? It might sound unbelievable, but it’s true! W.T. Grant, founded in the early 20th century, became a beloved five-and-dime store across America.
With over 1,000 locations nationwide, W.T. Grant offered a treasure trove of products, from household essentials and toys to cosmetics and candy, all at unbeatable prices.
It became a go-to spot for families on a budget, and its motto, “Buy more for less,” captured the essence of its charm.
Unfortunately, in the 1970s, as shopping habits changed and discount chains like Walmart and Target gained popularity, W.T. Grant struggled to compete and ultimately closed its doors.
12. Hancock Fabrics
When you entered Hancock Fabrics, the question was always: What will you create next?
It was a dream for sewing lovers, offering a wide range of fabrics and supplies. With over 300 locations across the U.S., it quickly became a favorite spot for anyone who loved to sew or create.
Unfortunately, due to financial troubles, the company closed all its stores in early 2016.
13. Gimbels
Trivia Question: Where does Audrey Hepburn shop in “Breakfast at Tiffany’s”?
You guessed it—it’s Gimbels! In the iconic movie, Audrey Hepburn’s character steps out of Gimbels after a shopping spree. Known for its mix of luxury and affordable options, Gimbels was a beloved shopping destination for generations.
Its most famous location was on 33rd Street in New York City, a landmark tied to its legacy. Sadly, after struggling with competition, Gimbels closed in 1986.
If you guessed correctly (and didn’t cheat!), enjoy this reward: a nostalgic trip to cherish iconic stores like this one. Let’s keep the Golden Era vibes alive!
14. Borders
Let’s step back in time and rediscover a piece of history.
Borders wasn’t just a bookstore but a sanctuary for book and coffee lovers. At its peak, it boasted over 1,200 stores across the U.S. and carried around 24 million books.
The Borders Rewards program offered members discounts on books and free shipping for just $25 a year. Unfortunately, Borders closed its doors in 2011, unable to keep up with the rise of digital books and the competition from online retailers.
It was a place to relax, explore, and enjoy. Visitors could lose themselves in the shelves, discover new titles, and sip coffee. Do you have any memories from Borders?
15. Jitney Jungle
Jitney Jungle was a supermarket known for its fresh produce and high-quality goods. It served as a true family gathering place, with most shopping taking place on weekends.
This supermarket chain was especially popular in the Southeastern United States, particularly in Mississippi. However, it ceased operations in the early 2000s, with the last stores closing in 2004, after which the properties were eventually sold.
What part of your memories with the store do you cherish the most?
16. K-B Toys
Who could forget the thrill of finding the perfect toy on sale? K-B Toys was a paradise for children, offering a wide selection of toys at affordable prices.
Its vibrant displays and interactive play areas filled every visit with excitement for both parents and kids. At its peak, K-B Toys operated over 1,000 stores across the country. The holiday season brought exclusive, must-have toys that became the highlight of many wish lists.
Known for its fantastic clearance sales, K-B Toys made toys accessible to kids from all backgrounds, spreading joy and creating unforgettable memories.
17. Linens ‘N Things
Founded in 1975, Linens ‘N Things became a go-to store for home essentials. From curtains and kitchenware to bathroom accessories, it had everything to make a house feel like home.
Known for quality and affordability, it was a favorite among shoppers.During its most successful years, Linens ‘N Things expanded to over 500 locations across the country.
Don’t be sad—luckily, Linens ‘N Things still lives on as an online brand!
18. Service Merchandise
Service Merchandise was a unique retail chain that offered a catalog shopping experience. Customers could browse displayed products, place orders through the catalog, and pick up their items at the counter.
Founded in 1934, it had over 400 stores across the United States and was especially popular in the 1970s and 1980s. The rise of big-box retailers and online shopping eventually led to its closure in the early 2000s.
Thank you, Service Merchandise, for pioneering the concept of online shopping.
19. Electronics Boutique
If you were a true gamer, you couldn’t miss Electronics Boutique. It was every gamer’s dream come true.
It offered a vast selection while creating a fun, energetic atmosphere. In 1997, it had over 2,000 locations worldwide, including Europe, Australia, and Canada. It was the go-to place for the latest games.
However, with the rise of online shopping, the stores closed in 2005, thus ending the era of in-person video game shopping.
20. TG&Y
TG&Y was most popular in the United States, particularly in the Southern and Western regions, during the 1960s and 1970s. With over 1,000 stores, it became a symbol of family shopping in smaller towns.
It closed its doors in the 1990s, facing competition from larger retail chains. TG&Y was a beloved variety store offering a wide range of products at affordable prices.
Do you remember visiting a TG&Y store in your hometown? What was your favorite item to shop for there?
21. A&P
A&P was a major competitor to Jitney Jungle. It was known for its fresh produce and quality products.
Established in 1859, it grew to over 16,000 stores at its peak, revolutionizing shopping with innovations like self-service aisles and exclusive store brands such as ‘Eight O’Clock Coffee’ and ‘Green Giant.’
Although it closed its doors in the 2000s, A&P’s legacy of providing affordable, fresh groceries endures. Who remembers heading there for your weekly essentials?
22. Tower Records
Tower Records, founded in 1960, was a music lover’s paradise! It offered a vast selection of CDs, vinyl records, and more. Shoppers eagerly explored aisles full of new artists and genres.
With the rise of digital music, Tower Records faced challenges and closed in 2006. However, it was a pioneer in online music sales, launching its digital store as early as 1995.
Who else remembers the thrill of browsing Tower’s extensive collection?
23. Mervyn’s
Who remembers where the great discounts were? Hmm, maybe at Mervyn’s. Known for its discounts and promotions, their most famous was the “Mervyn’s Holiday Sale” during the holiday season.
It was especially popular in the Western U.S., with many of its stores located in California, Nevada, and Arizona. The largest Mervyn’s store was located in San Leandro, California.
Unfortunately, Mervyn’s faced financial struggles and competition from larger retailers, leading to its closure. The company filed for bankruptcy in 2008 and officially closed its doors in 2009.
24. County Seat
Levi’s, Lee, Calvin Klein, Dockers — all in one place. Where? At the house of jeans
—County Seat.
Renowned for its commitment to quality and fashion, County Seat became a favourite spot for trendsetters. As one of the pioneers in selling specialized denim, it earned a reputation for offering “Denim at its Best.”
Unfortunately, County Seat closed its doors in 1999, but it remains a beloved memory for denim lovers everywhere.