The Demise of Retail

[Diana Michelle]

Just caught an article that an antique/consignment store I loved when I lived downstate is being sold. The owner has ALS and can no longer handle it and her children do not want to take it over. Maybe it will survive but got me thinking about the demise of brick and mortar stores.

It seems like it is a weekly thing some retailer announces store closings or bankruptcy. Some I could honestly care less about but some bring fond memories. Several come to mind.

My question is what store that has closed that brings back memories to you either good or bad?

[DonnaT]

G.C. Murphy, a 5 and dime store where one of my Aunt's worked. About the only place our parents would take us where we were permitted by them to drink a Pepsi or Coke since we could get it for free.

[Giselle]

for me as a Canadian the failing of Sears Canada and Eaton's(a century old Canadian Department Store Chain)

[Deidre Taylor]

I think I saw that same article you did Diana and I have even been there once or twice myself. Maybe a little different here but for me I almost cried when the local family owned hardware store closed. It was one of those places where you could find virtually nothing without asking for help but not only did they have what you were looking for or told you where to go to get it but also they would offer advice and tips how to do it. Sure maybe they were a little more expensive but you don't get that in those box stores or buying it on the internet.

[Annie]

So many places we used to go to that are gone. Mom and Dad get old or pass away. Sometimes the kids try but it seems that more often they don't.

So many memories like the Herpolshimer's downtown here. Loved to ride the train at Christmas time!

[KimberlyS]

Montgomery Wards. I got my first bra, garter belt and stockings combo there.

[Diana Michelle]

OMG I had forgotten all about Montgomery Wards or as my father always called it "Monkey Wards." There are so many stores that used to be there that are no longer. Just go to the mall or drive by any strip mall and see all the empty storefronts. So many come to mind and many of them bring back fond memories.

Maybe one that always held a special spot in my heart was Fisher's. It was a good sized upscale women's apparel retailer located in one of the suburbs of Detroit. I remember when I was first starting to go out en femme I went in there looking for a dress for the New Years Eve party at the local CD club. I had picked out one and went to pay for it and the sales clerk looked at me then the dress and said I can't sell this to you in good conscience. I was crushed as I thought I made a pretty passable woman. Then she leaned over and quietly whispered as there were other customers around, "The neckline is too low and if you bend forward your breastforms will show and you would need a strapless bra and strapless bras and breastforms do not go well together. Come on let's find a dress that will work better for you." We did find a dress that worked for me and I got more than a couple of compliments on it at the bar but what I most remember about that incident was her telling me come back anytime.

I later found out on a subsequent visit that saleslady was the owner's daughter who later became owner of the store. I went back many times especially if I was looking for that "special" outfit and continued to through my transition and well beyond. I saw the store pass ownership from Grandma to Mom to daughter. The one thing that remained constant was the service they provided to all customers and not only made suggestions as to the right outfit but also how to accessorize it. I even had them talk me out of an outfit or two telling it was not me and suggested something else and sometimes outfits less expensive.

It ws maybe 7 or even 8 years ago I was there and the owner who I had literally watch grow up from a teen ager to the woman she now was told me they were going to close and sell out all the stock and fixtures. She said they couldn't compete with the prices in the internet as well as with the shift to casual attire by society fewer women bought dressier outfits, always their specialty. To say this saddened me is kind.

I think back over all the things I bought there with a smile. I can remember more than one dress I may have not been sure of but they would suggest accessories and what type of shoes and they were always right. One doesn't get that type of service from Amazon or any other retailer in cyberspace. Sure we can save a few bucks with a couple of mouse clicks but at what price?

[Karen Ski]

When I was young there was a party store a few blocks from where we lived. It seemed like just about every week my father or the neighbor would go there to get a case of beer. The neighbor had a son my age and he and I would always tag along. On the counter was a jar of pretzel rods and my buddy and I always got one for free! Well maybe for free as we had no idea.

Over time the grocery stores started selling beer and it seemed like the trips to the party store got further and further apart eventually ceasing. The party store eventually closed and although I had no idea why back then thinking back it was probably competition. Still I fondly remember those Saturday excursions and the pretzel rods.

[Diana Michelle]

https://www.hometownlife.com/story/news ... 931701002/

Came across this article the other day and I sighed as in a way it brought some fond memories. Got to thinking about it and looked it back up.

I was 8 or 9 when one Sunday the whole family piled into the family station wagon (that's another story) still in our church finery and off we went to check out this new store. I remember walking through it and utterly amazed all the things they had. Toys, clothes, shoes, sporting goods, records, candy, they even sold transistor radios! OK another blast from the past. To a young child it was like if they sold puppies and kittens it would be absolutely perfect! I remember on the way home my mother saying something like "This is the future of shopping." Doubt she ever had something like Amazon in mind when she said it but when you think about all the "one stop shopping" establishments including WalMart and Target that we have or have come and gone KMart was a pioneer in this market segment. IMO even warehouse stores like Costco and Sam's Club in a way owe their existence to the path blazed by KMart.

Not that I ever shopped a lot at KMart I did for certain things in my youth although over time my tastes and resources changed. The last time I was in a KMart was a few months ago when the last one close to me was closing and I went into see if I could get any bargains and TBH really can't remember when the time before that was. Not that I am going to shed tears over it but it is sad to see what was an icon of my youth suffer the fate of being bulldozed over to become yet another fitness gym.