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List of defunct retailers of the United States

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{{Hatnote|For defunct restaurants and department (and variety) stores that were formerly a part of this list, please see List of defunct restaurants of the United States and List of defunct department stores of the United States respectively.}}

{{use mdy dates|date=February 2013}}

Below is a list of notable defunct retailers of the United States.

Across the United States, a large number of local stores and store chains that started between the 1920s and 1950s have become defunct since the late 1960s, when many chains were either consolidated or liquidated. Some may have been lost due to mergers, while others were affected by a phenomenon of large store closings in the 2010s known as the retail apocalypse.

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Automotive

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  • Al's Auto Supply{{spaced ndash}} Chain that operated in Washington, California, Idaho, Oregon, Nevada and Alaska; purchased by CSK Auto. Founded by Abe "Al" Wexler in Everett, Washington in the late 1950s;{{cite news |url=http://www.legacy.com/obituaries/heraldnet/obituary.aspx?n=abe-wexler-al&pid=157688834 |title=Abe "Al" Wexler (Obituary) |newspaper=The Herald (Everett) |date=May 19–21, 2012 |author=}}{{cite news |url=http://myeverettnews.com/2012/05/19/abe-al-wexler-founder-of-everetts-als-auto-supply-chain-passes/ |title=Abe "Al" Wexler, Founder of Everett's Al's Auto Supply Chain Passes |publisher=MyEverettNews.com |date=May 19, 2012 |first=Leland |last=Dart}} sold 15 store chain to Paccar in 1987;{{cite web |url=http://www.paccar.com/heritage/history2.asp |title=PACCAR – Pursuit of Quality |publisher=Paccar |author= |date=}} Paccar sold chain (along with Grand Auto) in 1999 to CSK Auto which eventually rebranded stores as Schucks.{{cite news |url=https://www.nytimes.com/1999/08/24/business/company-news-csk-auto-to-buy-paccar-s-parts-subsidiary.html |title=CSK Auto To Buy Paccar's Parts Subsidiary |newspaper=The New York Times |date=August 24, 1999 |author=}}{{cite news |url=http://www.theautochannel.com/news/press/date/19990823/press028686.html |title=CSK Auto Corporation to Acquire Grand Auto Supply and Al's Auto Supply |publisher=The Auto Channel |date=August 23, 1999 |author=}}{{cite news |url=https://archive.seattletimes.com/archive/19990823/2978949/eastside-business |title=Eastside Business -- Paccar To Sell Auto-Parts Unit, Focus On Trucks |newspaper=The Seattle Times |date=August 23, 1999 |first=Polly |last=Lane}}
  • Auto Palace {{spaced ndash}} A New England-based chain that had 112 stores in six states before it was acquired and rebranded by AutoZone in 1998{{cite news |url=http://www.bizjournals.com/memphis/stories/1998/02/16/daily5.html |title=AutoZone acquires 112-store Auto Palace chain |newspaper=Memphis Business Journal |date=February 18, 1998 |author=}}{{cite press release |url=http://www.thefreelibrary.com/AutoZone+To+Acquire+Auto+Palace-a020163425 |title=AutoZone To Acquire Auto Palace |agency=PRNewswire |publisher=AutoZone |date=January 14, 1998 |via=The Free Library |author=}}{{cite news |url=http://www.theautochannel.com/publications/magazines/amb/feb-98/retail.frame |title=AutoZone continues growth with Auto Palace purchase |publisher=The Auto Channel |date=February 1998 |author=}}
  • Auto Works {{spaced ndash}} Began in Michigan in 1976 by Perry Drug Stores and which grew mostly through acquisitions{{cite news |title=Perry Drug Stores to Buy Auto Parts Stores |url= |newspaper=Los Angeles Times |date=August 9, 1983 |page=E14 |author= |id={{ProQuest|153540734}}}}{{cite news |title=Mufflers and Mascara |magazine=Forbes |date=January 30, 1984 |last=Byrne |first=John A. |id={{ProQuest|194947617}}}} prior to being sold to Northern Automotive in 1988.{{cite news |url=http://www.elsevierbi.com/publications/the-pink-sheet/46/013/rite-aid-accelerating-into-auto-parts-retailing-with-acquisition-of-adap |title=Rite Aid Accelerating Into Auto Parts Retailing With Acquisition Of ADAP |newspaper=Elsevier Business Intelligence |date=March 26, 1984 |author=}} In turn, Northern became CSK and CSK sold Auto Works to Hahn Automotive in 1993{{cite news |title=Hahn Automotive Warehouse Inc.: Auto Works to Be Acquired From Northern Retail Corp. |newspaper=The Wall Street Journal |date=November 1, 1993 |url= |author= |id={{ProQuest|395224619}}}} before Hahn finally closed Auto Works in 1997.{{cite news |url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?nid=1988&dat=19970826&id=cj4iAAAAIBAJ&pg=1200,4872451 |title=Michigan Auto Works stores started sales last Saturday |newspaper=Argus-Press |date=August 26, 1997 |page=6 |author= |via=Google News}} At its height, there were 252 stores in eight states.
  • Chief Auto Parts{{spaced ndash}} acquired and rebranded by AutoZone in 1998{{cite news |url=https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-1998-may-12-fi-48771-story.html |title=AutoZone to Acquire Car Parts Rival Chief |newspaper=Los Angeles Times |date=May 12, 1998 |first=John |last=O'Dell}}{{cite news |url=https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-1998-jul-01-fi-65162-story.html |title=AutoZone Purchase of Chief Auto Is Complete |newspaper=Los Angeles Times |date=July 1, 1998 |first=John |last=O'Dell}}
  • CSK Auto{{spaced ndash}} (CSK = Checker, Schucks, Kragen) based in Phoenix, Arizona with stores nationwide; bought by O'Reilly Auto Parts in 2008{{cite news |url=https://www.bloomberg.com/apps/news?pid=newsarchive&sid=a_IJeAXlrgy0 |title=O'Reilly Automotive to Buy CSK Auto for $528 Million |publisher=Bloomberg |date=April 1, 2008 |first=Josh |last=Fineman}}{{cite news |url=http://www.fool.com/investing/general/2011/04/29/can-oreilly-keep-its-growth-up.aspx |title=Can O'Reilly Keep Its Growth Up? |publisher=The Motley Fool |date=April 29, 2011 |first=Andrew |last=Bond}}
  • Parts America{{spaced ndash}} Sears created the Parts America store concept in 1995 and tried to convert full service Western Auto stores into the parts only Parts America brand until it sold the stores to Advance Auto Parts in 1998.{{cite press release |url=http://www.thefreelibrary.com/CSK+Auto+and+Advance+Auto+Parts+Partner+With+Sequoia+Capital+to...-a058503675 |title=CSK Auto and Advance Auto Parts Partner With Sequoia Capital to Launch PartsAmerica.com, Largest Auto Parts Site With National Distribution |agency=Business Wire |date=January 10, 2000 |via=The Free Library |author=}}{{cite news |url=http://www.bizjournals.com/triad/stories/2009/10/12/daily20.html |title=Advance Auto revs up online sales |newspaper=Business Journal |date=October 13, 2009 |first=John Jr. |last=Vomhof}}{{cite news |url=http://www.theautochannel.com/publications/magazines/amb/sept-97/cover.frame |title=Western Auto accelerates its conversion to parts-only format: By year's end, the company will convert all its company stores to 'Parts America |publisher=The Auto Channel |date=September 1997 |first=John D. |last=Battle}} Upon merger, Parts America stores were rebranded Advance Auto Parts and the website partsamerica.com became a web only store for Advance Auto Parts. With financial backing from Sears, Advance Auto Parts decided to make the partsamerica.com into a portal for web purchasing of auto parts as part of a joint venture with CSK Auto.{{cite news |url=http://business.highbeam.com/4964/article-1G1-72765921/partsamerica-give-consumers-bricks-mortar-alternative |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140224164534/http://business.highbeam.com/4964/article-1G1-72765921/partsamerica-give-consumers-bricks-mortar-alternative |archive-date=February 24, 2014 |title=PartsAmerica.com Give Consumers A Bricks & Mortar Alternative |publisher=Autoparts Report |date=February 23, 2001 |url-access=subscription |author=}} The website appeared to have been deactivated by 2009.{{cite web|url=http://www.partsamerica.com/ |title=PartsAmerica.com – Auto Parts Superstore |work=partsamerica.com |access-date=December 9, 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080305100653/http://www.partsamerica.com/ |archive-date=March 5, 2008}}
  • Super Shops{{spaced ndash}} filed for bankruptcy in 1998{{cite news |url=http://performancebiz.com/article/look-back-super-shops |title=A Look Back at the Super Shops |magazine=Performance & Hotrod Business |date=February 9, 2010 |first=Jim |last=Maxwell |access-date=June 15, 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140714195939/http://performancebiz.com/article/look-back-super-shops |archive-date=July 14, 2014 }}{{cite news |url=https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-1997-oct-15-fi-43016-story.html |title=Boyds Wheels' Client Leaves $464,700 Debt: Stanton firm's chief financial officer also resigns. Stock price falls in heavy trading. |newspaper=Los Angeles Times |date=October 15, 1997 |first=John |last=O'Dell}}
  • Trak Auto{{spaced ndash}} Mid-Atlantic, Midwest, and West Coast; founded by Robert Haft (Crown Books) in 1981; purchased and rebranded by Advance Auto Parts in 2002{{cite news |url=http://www.washingtontimes.com/news/2002/jul/25/20020725-034822-1634r/ |title=Takeover of ailing Trak Auto shops OK'd |newspaper=The Washington Times |date=July 25, 2002 |author=}}{{cite news |url=http://www.bizjournals.com/washington/stories/2002/07/22/daily25.html |title=Advance Auto picks up Trak Auto locations |newspaper=Washington Business Journal |date=July 23, 2002 |first=Jeff |last=Clabaugh}}
  • Western Auto{{spaced ndash}} nationwide, once had 1,800 locations, purchased by Sears in 1987{{cite news |url=https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-1988-03-17-fi-2093-story.html |title=Sears Agrees to Buy Western Auto |newspaper=Los Angeles Times |date=March 17, 1988 |first=Victor F. |last=Zonana}}{{cite news |url=https://www.chicagotribune.com/1988/03/17/sears-buying-western-auto-supply/ |title=Sears Buying Western Auto Supply |newspaper=Chicago Tribune |date=March 17, 1988 |first=Janet |last=Key}} and sold to and rebranded by Advance Auto Parts in 1998{{cite news |url=https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-1998-aug-18-fi-14110-story.html |title=Sears Is Selling Its Western Auto Supply Unit |newspaper=Los Angeles Times |date=August 18, 1998 |author=}}{{cite news |url=https://www.chicagotribune.com/1998/08/18/advance-buys-sears-western-auto/ |title=Advance Buys Sears' Western Auto |newspaper=Chicago Tribune |date=August 18, 1998 |first=George |last=Gunset}}

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Camping, sports or athletic stores

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  • Davega Stores {{spaced ndash}} bankrupt in 1963
  • Galyan's Trading Post{{spaced ndash}} acquired by Dick's Sporting Goods in 2004{{cite news |url=http://www.deseretnews.com/article/595072078/Dicks-Sporting-Goods-to-buy-Galyans-for-305-million.html?pg=all |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131029193238/http://www.deseretnews.com/article/595072078/Dicks-Sporting-Goods-to-buy-Galyans-for-305-million.html?pg=all |url-status=dead |archive-date=October 29, 2013 |title=Dick's Sporting Goods to buy Galyan's for $305 million |newspaper=Deseret News |date=June 22, 2004 |author=}}
  • Gander Mountain {{spaced ndash}} rebranded as Gander Outdoors in 2019 following bankruptcy and reorganization
  • G.I. Joe's{{spaced ndash}} Oregon and Washington; rebranded as Joe's in 2007, went bankrupt and closed in 2009; seven locations taken over by Dick's Sporting Goods
  • Golfsmith{{spaced ndash}} went bankrupt in 2016 and acquired by Dick's Sporting Goods; 36-38 locations rebranded as Golf Galaxy
  • Herman's World of Sporting Goods{{spaced ndash}} went bankrupt in 1993 and closed in 1996
  • Just for Feet{{spaced ndash}} bankrupt in 1999, acquired by Footstar, final stores closed in 2004
  • MC Sports{{spaced ndash}} filed for bankruptcy and closed in 2017
  • Modell's Sporting Goods{{spaced ndash}} first store opened in 1889. On March 11, 2020, the company filed for bankruptcy, and announced it would close all 115 stores. At the time of the announcement, Modell's was the world's oldest sporting goods chain
  • Olympia Sports{{spaced ndash}} the company was founded in 1975, and on July 22, 2022, the company filed for bankruptcy and announced it would close all 35 stores by September 30th
  • Oshman's Sporting Goods{{spaced ndash}} founded in Houston in 1933; acquired by Gart Sports in 2001; most stores rebranded as Sports Authority
  • Sportmart{{spaced ndash}} merged with Gart Sports in 1998 and closed in 2000
  • Sports Authority{{spaced ndash}} bankrupt in 2016 and liquidated. Brand was acquired by Dick's Sporting Goods
  • Sports Unlimited{{spaced ndash}} First store in 1983. In 2008 closed all stores and moved online.
  • Sport Chalet{{spaced ndash}} went bankrupt and closed in 2016
  • Sportswest{{spaced ndash}} owned by Pay 'n Save and spun off in 1984; acquired by Big 5 Sporting Goods in 1988
  • Sunny's Surplus{{spaced ndash}} went bankrupt in 2000 but emerged in 2001; filed for bankruptcy again in 2007 and closed most locations; three reopened in late 2007 but shut down again in 2008

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Catalog showrooms

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  • Best Products{{spaced ndash}}filed for bankruptcy for the second time in September 1996{{cite news |url=https://apnews.com/ded4e3f2ce502d0a638344a136bf50f4 |title=Catalog-showroom chain closes last stores |newspaper=Associated Press |date=February 10, 1997 |author=}}{{cite news |url=http://articles.philly.com/1996-10-08/business/25667322_1_ocean-reef-management-stores-part-time-employees |archive-url=https://archive.today/20150222073418/http://articles.philly.com/1996-10-08/business/25667322_1_ocean-reef-management-stores-part-time-employees |url-status=dead |archive-date=February 22, 2015 |title=Best Products To Shut 81 Stores, Lay Off 4,500 The Outlets In Cherry Hill And Delco Will Be Closed. The Bankrupt Chain Will Keep 88 Stores Open. |newspaper=The Philadelphia Inquirer |date=October 8, 1996 |first=Jane M. |last=Von Bergen}} and closed all of its stores by the following February{{cite news |url=https://www.orlandosentinel.com/1997/02/11/on-the-record-485/ |title=On The Record: Bankrupt Best Products closes last of its stores |newspaper=Orlando Sentinel |date=February 11, 1997 |author=}}{{cite news |url=https://www.baltimoresun.com/1997/05/04/lbo-funds-might-be-poised-for-a-comeback-assets-large-again-with-new-players-joining-usual-sources-a-lot-of-money-raised-buying-power-judged-much-greater-than-that-seen-in-1980s/ |title=LBO funds might be poised for a comeback Assets large again, with new players joining usual sources |newspaper=Baltimore Sun |date=May 4, 1997 |first=Jay |last=Hancock}}
  • Brendle's{{spaced ndash}} became bankrupt and liquidated in 1996{{cite news |url=https://www.nytimes.com/1996/04/17/business/company-news-brendle-s-seeks-bankruptcy-court-protection.html |title=Brendle's Seeks Bankruptcy Court Protection |newspaper=The New York Times |date=April 17, 1996 |author=}}{{cite news |url=http://www.bizjournals.com/charlotte/stories/1996/12/02/daily11.html |title=Brendle's to liquidate |work=Charlotte Business Journal |date=December 5, 1996 |author=}}
  • Consumers Distributing {{spaced ndash}} sought bankruptcy protection in 1996
  • Ellman's{{spaced ndash}} acquired by Service Merchandise in 1985
  • H. J. Wilson Co.{{spaced ndash}} Southern states, based in Baton Rouge, Louisiana; acquired by Service Merchandise in 1986{{cite news |url=https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-1985-04-10-fi-7648-story.html |title=Service Merchandise acquired two retail chains |newspaper=Los Angeles Times |date=April 10, 1985 |author=}}{{cite news |url=https://www.nytimes.com/1988/09/20/business/business-people-service-merchandise-head-may-take-company-private.html |title=Service Merchandise Head May Take Company Private |newspaper=The New York Times |date=September 20, 1988 |first=Daniel F. |last=Cuff}}
  • K's Merchandise Mart – liquidated in 2006
  • Luria's – originally L. Luria & Son, was a chain of catalog showroom stores in Florida, from 1961 to 1997.
  • Service Merchandise{{spaced ndash}} closed all its retail stores by early 2002; the name was resurrected in 2004 for an online retail operation{{cite news |url=http://www.chattanoogan.com/2011/7/26/205828/Remembering-Service-Merchandise.aspx |title=Remembering Service Merchandise |newspaper=Chattanoogan |date=July 26, 2011 |first=Harmon |last=Jolley}}{{cite news |url=http://www.bizjournals.com/nashville/stories/2002/01/14/story4.html |title=What killed Service Merchandise? |newspaper=Nashville Business Journal |date=January 13, 2002 |first=Brian |last=Forester}}
  • Witmark{{spaced ndash}} operated in southwestern Michigan; founded 1969, liquidated 1997{{cite news |url=http://www.thefreelibrary.com/Witmark+hones+specialty+format.-a019076576 |title=Witmark hones specialty format |newspaper=Home Furnishing Network |date=January 27, 1997 |author= |via=The Free Library}}{{cite news |title=Mergers & acquisitions dominate, liquidations follow close behind |newspaper=Discount Store News |date=July 7, 1997 |pages=66–68 |volume=36 |issue=13 |author= |quote=Witmark, a cataloger out of Grand Rapids, Mich., closed its last 10 showrooms. |id={{ProQuest|228399546}}}}

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Clothing, shoe and specialty stores

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  • Abby Z.{{spaced ndash}} plus size design label founded by Abby Zeichner in 2004.{{cite news|last1=Saranow|first1= Jennifer|last2= Smith|first2= Ray A.|url=https://www.wsj.com/public/article/SB121686421934779787.html?mod=2_1356_middlebox |title=Abby Z. Expands Plus-Size Shops|newspaper=The Wall Street Journal|date= 24 July 2008}} The Abby Z flagship store opened in SoHo, New York at 57 Greene Street in 2008 and closed in 2009{{cite web|url=http://nymag.com/listings/stores/abby-z/ |title=Shopping: Abby Z. |work=New York Magazine}} when its parent company filed for bankruptcy.{{cite news|url=http://www.newsday.com/business/lost-in-bankruptcy-they-didn-t-get-paid-1.1209119|title=Lost in bankruptcy: They didn't get paid|date=March 13, 2009 |first=Keiko |last=Morris|newspaper=Newsday|location=Melville, NY|access-date=December 18, 2013}}
  • Anchor Blue – youth-oriented mall chain, founded in 1972 as Miller's Outpost. The brand had 150 stores at its peak, predominantly on the West Coast. Anchor Blue declared bankruptcy in 2009 and shuttered more than 50 stores, and gradually shrank to include stores solely in California. It went bankrupt once more in 2011, with the remaining stores closed before Easter of that year.{{cite news |url=https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-2011-jan-14-la-fi-0114-anchor-blue-20110114-story.html |title=Anchor Blue files for bankruptcy; will shut all stores, sell off inventory: The clothing chain originally called Miller's Outpost cites 'strong headwinds' from product promotions and discounts offered by larger retailers. |newspaper=Los Angeles Times |date=January 14, 2011 |first=Andrea |last=Chang}}
  • Anderson-Little – men's specialty retailer originally associated with a large Massachusetts-based men's clothing manufacturer; also known as Anderson Little-Richman Brothers; owned for many years by F. W. Woolworth Company. Ceased operations in 1998,{{cite web |url=http://www.highbeam.com/doc/1G1-12107513.html |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110516182016/http://www.highbeam.com/doc/1G1-12107513.html |archive-date=May 16, 2011 |title=Woolworth's to shut Anderson Little chain. (F.W. Woolworth Co. closes Anderson Little-Richman Brothers) |newspaper=Daily News Record |author= |date=April 6, 1992 |access-date=June 19, 2010}}{{cite web |url=http://www.highbeam.com/doc/1G1-14436929.html |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110516182120/http://www.highbeam.com/doc/1G1-14436929.html |archive-date=May 16, 2011 |title=Gentlemen's Wear-House chain using Anderson-Little Logo. |newspaper=Daily News Record |author= |date=September 24, 1993 |access-date=June 19, 2010}}{{cite web |url=http://www.highbeam.com/doc/1G1-18692047.html |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110516182238/http://www.highbeam.com/doc/1G1-18692047.html |archive-date=May 16, 2011 |title=Bell tolls for Anderson-Little. (Men's clothing retailer to close in New England in early 1997) |newspaper=Daily News Record |author= |date=September 16, 1996 |access-date=June 19, 2010}}{{cite web |url=http://archive.southcoasttoday.com/daily/11-96/11-18-96/a01lo008.htm |title=Cliftex closing stores: 10 Anderson-Little stores will remain |publisher=South Coast Today |date=November 18, 1996 |access-date=December 4, 2014 |archive-date=2007-11-13 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071113124523/http://archive.southcoasttoday.com/daily/11-96/11-18-96/a01lo008.htm |first=David |last=Rising}}{{cite web |last=Welker |first=Grant |url=http://www.heraldnews.com/business/x1768848155/Anderson-Little-is-back-in-fashion |title=Anderson-Little is back in fashion – Fall River, Massachusetts |publisher=The Herald News |date=July 16, 2008 |access-date=June 19, 2010}} revived as a small online retailer in 2008.{{cite news |last=Welker |first=Grant |date=July 17, 2008 |title=Anderson-Little is back in fashion |url=http://www.heraldnews.com/article/20080717/NEWS/307178939/?Start=1 |newspaper=Herald News |location=Fall River, Massachusetts |access-date=November 17, 2015}}
  • Bob's Stores-Suffered bankruptcy in 2024, closed all stores in July.
  • Casual Corner{{spaced ndash}} liquidated in 2005
  • Chess King – sold to Merry-Go-Round in 1993; liquidated along with that chain in 1995
  • Christopher & Banks – bankrupted in 2021 from financial loss, because of the COVID-19 pandemic
  • County Seat – founded in 1973, the denim-focused mall retailer expanded in the 1980s to nearly 500 stores. It filed for bankruptcy in 1996 and shuttered stores, and another bankruptcy in 1999 put the company out of business.{{cite news |url=https://www.orlandosentinel.com/1999/01/23/county-seat-files-chapter-11/ |title=County Seat Files Chapter 11 |newspaper=Orlando Sentinel |date=January 23, 1999 |author=}}
  • Cygnet Shops{{spaced ndash}} women's fashion store that closed in 1975
  • DEB{{spaced ndash}} closed its stores in 2015, and returned later that year as an online-only retailer selling plus-size clothing
  • Delia's – founded in 1993 as a juniors' clothing catalog, Delia's (stylized as dELiA*s) expanded to more than 100 physical locations before cheaper competitors sent it to bankruptcy in 2014.{{cite news |url=https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2014-12-08/teen-clothing-retailer-delia-s-files-for-bankruptcy |title=Teen Clothing Retailer Delia's Files for Bankruptcy |newspaper=Bloomberg News |date=December 8, 2014 |first1=Sophia |last1=Pearson |first2=Andrea |last2=Tan |name-list-style=amp}} It was reopened in 2015 as an online retailer, but this was unsuccessful and has been licensed by online fashion company Dolls Kill since 2018.
  • Disney Store – owned and operated by The Walt Disney Company. Closed the majority of its retail stores in 2021 mainly due to the COVID-19 pandemic, with merchandise moved online and to department stores such as Target and JCPenney.{{cite web|url=https://www.deseret.com/entertainment/2021/8/25/22641317/disney-closing-disney-stores-list|title=Why Disney is closing so many Disney Stores right now|first=Herb|last=Scribner|work=Deseret News|date=August 25, 2021|access-date=April 4, 2022}}
  • Edison Brothers Stores – operator of numerous shoe and clothing chains, including Bakers Shoes, Wild Pair, J. Riggings, Oaktree, Foxmoor and Fashion Conspiracy. Company was liquidated in 1999, though some chains it operated, including Bakers, have survived.
  • Fashion Bug – plus-size women's clothing retailer that once spanned more than 1000 stores. Parent company Charming Shoppes, which owned other plus-size retailers including Lane Bryant, shuttered the brand in early 2013.
  • Florsheim – mall shoe store; still sells online
  • Gadzooks – Founded in 1983 as a T-shirt store, Gadzooks grew to a 250-store mall fashion retailer before making an ill-advised decision to discontinue menswear. The company was purchased by competitor Forever 21 out of bankruptcy in 2005, with its stores either closed or converted to F21 formats.
  • Gantos – a women's specialty clothing retailer based in Grand Rapids, Michigan. In late 1993, the company announced bankruptcy reorganization, closing 50 stores between 1993 and 1994,{{cite web | url=https://www.dailypress.com/news/dp-xpm-19931206-1993-12-06-9312060062-story.html| title=Gantos to go: Mall Store Fals Victim To Chain's Chapter 11 Filing| publisher=Daily Press | access-date=30 September 2019 }} and the chain announced the liquidation of its remaining 114 stores by the end of the decade, ceasing operations in 2000.{{cite web|url=https://rivergrandrapids.com/do-you-remember-gantos/|title=Do You Remember Gantos?|author=Andy Rent|date=July 31, 2017|publisher=100.5 The River|access-date=October 28, 2020}}
  • Gottschalks – Founded in 1904, this middle-market regional department store was once the largest independently owned, publicly traded department store in the United States. Bankruptcy claimed the brand in 2009.{{cite news |url=http://abc30.com/archive/6605055/ |title=Gottschalks Filed Chapter 11 Bankruptcy |publisher=KFSN-TV |date=January 15, 2009 |first=Amanda |last=Perez}}
  • Hahn's Shoes (1876–1995){{spaced ndash}} Washington, D.C. region
  • Harold's{{spaced ndash}} founded in 1948 in Norman, Oklahoma, and liquidated through bankruptcy in 2008{{cite news |url=http://newsok.com/harolds-stores-files-bankruptcy-in-oklahoma/article/3320248 |title=Harold's Stores files bankruptcy in Oklahoma |last=Mize |first=Richard |newspaper=The Oklahoman |date=November 8, 2008 |access-date=2014-02-18}}
  • Hess Shoe Store (1872–1999) {{spaced ndash}} Baltimore, Maryland region.
  • J. Brannam{{spaced ndash}} a unit of the F. W. Woolworth Company established in 1979 that operated primarily in the southern U.S.;{{cite news |title=Woolworth Unit Gets Third Chief in a Year |url=https://www.nytimes.com/1983/08/05/business/business-people-woolworth-unit-gets-third-chief-in-a-year.html |newspaper=The New York Times |date=August 5, 1983 |access-date=2014-02-18 |author=}} closed in 1985{{cite news |title=Troubled 'Off Price' Chains |url=https://www.nytimes.com/1985/08/08/business/troubled-off-price-chains.html |last=Barmash |first=Isadore |work=The New York Times |date=August 8, 1985 |access-date=2014-02-18}}
  • J. Byrons{{spaced ndash}} Florida-based retailer, sold to Uptons, closed in 1996
  • Jay Jacobs{{spaced ndash}} Seattle-based clothier; founded in 1941 and closed in 1999
  • Kids "R" Us – a division of Toys "R" Us, created in 1983 to sell children's and preteen clothing; folded in 2003
  • Kinney Shoes{{spaced ndash}} manufacturer and retailer established in 1894 and purchased by F.W. Woolworth in 1963
  • Kleinhans{{spaced ndash}} a men's clothier in Buffalo, New York that operated from 1893 until 1992
  • Klopfenstein's{{spaced ndash}} a men's clothier in the Seattle-Tacoma area founded in 1918 and in operation until 1992{{cite news |url=https://archive.seattletimes.com/archive/19920925/1514945/six-klopfensteins-stores-to-be-liquidated-closed |title=Six Klopfensteins Stores To Be Liquidated, Closed |newspaper=The Seattle Times |date=September 25, 1992 |first=Sylvia Wieland |last=Nogaki}}
  • The Limited{{spaced ndash}} filed for bankruptcy and liquidated in 2017. Its products became available again online after the brand was acquired by Sycamore Properties.
  • Margo's LaMode{{spaced ndash}} Dallas-based women's clothing store that closed in 1996 after corporate parent underwent bankruptcy reorganization
  • Martin + Osa – Established in 2006 as the more mature counterpart to American Eagle Outfitters, the chain grew to 28 stores before millions in losses forced its parent company to discontinue it. The brand's stores and e-commerce site disappeared in 2010.
  • Merry-Go-Round – Merry-Go-Round had more than 500 locations during its heyday in the 1980s. It went bankrupt in 1995.{{cite news |url=https://www.nytimes.com/1996/02/03/business/bankrupt-merry-go-round-decides-to-go-out-of-business.html |title=Bankrupt Merry-Go-Round Decides to Go Out of Business |newspaper=The New York Times |date=February 3, 1996 |first=Jennifer |last=Steinhauer}}
  • Mervyn's – a California-based regional department store founded in 1949. Mervyn's ill-fated expansion out of West Coast markets in the months before a recession sent the company into bankruptcy in 2008.{{cite news |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2008/10/18/business/18shop.html |title=Struggling Mervyns to Close Its Doors |newspaper=The New York Times |date=October 17, 2008 |first=Stephanie |last=Rosenbloom}}{{cite news |url=https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-2008-jul-30-fi-mervyns30-story.html |title=Mervyns' bankruptcy another ominous sign |newspaper=Los Angeles Times |date=July 30, 2008 |first=Leslie |last=Earnest}}
  • Miller's Outpost{{spaced ndash}} see "Anchor Blue" above
  • Payless (footwear retailer) – Filed for bankruptcy twice and closed all stores in Canada and the US in 2019.
  • Raleigh's{{spaced ndash}} also known as Raleigh Haberdasher; a men's and women's clothing store in Washington, D.C., 1911–1992
  • Robert Hall{{spaced ndash}} clothing store that existed from 1938 to 1977. At its peak, the store had locations in both New York City and Los Angeles. In addition, the firm invented the big box concept where all non-clothing lines were leased by other retailers.{{citation needed|date=August 2015}}
  • Rogers Peet{{spaced ndash}} New York City based men's clothing retailer established in late 1874. Among the chain's innovations: Rogers Peet showed actual merchandise in their advertising, advertised fabric types on merchandise, and put price tags on merchandise. The chain went belly-up in 1981.{{citation needed|date=August 2015}}
  • Roos/Atkins – a San Francisco menswear retailer formed in 1957 and expanded throughout the Bay Area in the 60s. The brand went into decline in the 1980s and ceased operations by 1995.
  • Ruehl No.925{{spaced ndash}} concept brand launched by Abercrombie & Fitch in 2004; poor sales and operating losses led to A&F ceasing operations of Ruehl in early 2010
  • The Sample{{spaced ndash}} Western New York based retailer founded in Buffalo in 1928 when its founder brought a sample set of 48 dresses back from New York City. At its peak, the retailer was noted for its semi-annual clearance known as the Pup Sale. The demise of The Sample was in 1991 following the death of the chain's chairman a year earlier.{{citation needed|date=August 2015|reason=Is there such thing as a "Pup sale"? Do they sell cats and dogs?}}
  • Sibley's Shoes{{spaced ndash}} a show retailer founded by Harry Rosenfield in 1920; had locations in Michigan and Ohio and closed in 2003 when the company's executives decided to not save the company{{citation needed|date=August 2015}}
  • Steve & Barry's{{spaced ndash}} "extreme value" retail clothing chain that operated 276 stores in 39 states.
  • Sycamore Shops{{spaced ndash}} an Indianapolis-based women's clothing retailer; spun off from L.S. Ayres; was later forced into bankruptcy and liquidated by early 1996{{cite news |url=http://nl.newsbank.com/nl-search/we/Archives?p_product=DDNB&p_theme=ddnb&p_action=search&p_maxdocs=200&p_topdoc=1&p_text_direct-0=0F51AD8B93462432&p_field_direct-0=document_id&p_perpage=10&p_sort=YMD_date:D&s_trackval=GooglePM |title=Sycamore Closing All 126 Stores – 9 Area Workers to Lose Jobs |newspaper=Dayton Daily News |date=December 12, 1995 |page=7B |first=Jim |last=Bohman |url-access=subscription |quote=Sycamore Stores Inc., an Indianapolis-based retail chain, will close its 126 stores in the next few weeks, including two in the Dayton area. The chain of women's apparel stores filed for reorganization under Chapter 11 of the U.S. Bankruptcy Code on Friday as a prelude to liquidation. The company will lay off nearly 650 employees within 10 weeks. About 50 of the shops are in Indiana. Other stores are in Illinois, Ohio, Michigan and Kentucky.}}
  • Thom McAn{{spaced ndash}} shoe retailer founded in 1922; had over 1,400 stores at its peak in the 1960s. In 1996, the parent company decided to close all remaining stores, but Thom McAn footwear is available in Kmart stores.{{cite news |url=https://apnews.com/faf9d3e48e063903f4b2043b7f09a293 |title=Thom McAn Shoes To Fade From Mall Scene |work=Associated Press |date=July 10, 1996 |first=Ed |last=Golden}}
  • The Fair Store - Retail clothing store in Port Arthur, Texas and Beaumont, Texas during the 1970s
  • Today's Man – a men's suiting store that began in the 1970s and expanded rapidly in the 1980s and 90s. Overexpansion brought the brand to bankruptcy in 1996.{{cite news |url=http://www.bizjournals.com/baltimore/stories/2003/04/21/daily42.html |title=Today's Man to close 6 area stores |work=Baltimore Business Journal |date=April 25, 2003 |first=Jeff |last=Clabaugh}}
  • Virginia Dare Dresses, Incorporated{{spaced ndash}} merged with Atlantic Thrift Centers, Inc in 1963
  • Warner Brothers Studio Store – Meant to be the WB answer to the rapidly growing Disney Store, the Warner Bros. Studio Stores sold collectibles and apparel based around WB properties including Looney Tunes and DC Comics. The Studio Stores were a victim of the AOL-Time Warner merger, and shuttered operations in 2001.{{cite news |url=https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-2001-jul-07-fi-19425-story.html |title=Warner Bros. Studio Stores to Close: Owner AOL Time Warner fails to find a buyer for the ailing chain. |newspaper=Los Angeles Times |date=July 7, 2001 |author=}}
  • Yellow Front Stores – Founded in the 1950s as an army surplus store, Yellow Front transitioned to become a camping gear retailer before going bankrupt in 1990.

{{div col end}}

Department and discount stores

{{Main article|List of defunct department stores of the United States|Grand Central = |Vegas Village = |Wonder World = |Zodys = |Wherehouse Music = |Red Owl = |Kresge's = |B. Dalton Bookstore = |W.T. Grant = }}

Drug stores

=A–M=

{{div col}}

{{div col end}}

=N–Z=

{{div col}}

{{div col end}}

Electronics stores

{{div col}}

  • 47th Street Photo
  • Allied Radio{{spaced ndash}} Chicago, Illinois, acquired by Radio Shack in 1970;{{cite news |title=Tandy Corp. Acquires Allied Radio, Chicago, From LTV Subsidiary: LTV Ling Altec Sells Business And Certain of Unit's Assets; Purchase Valued at $30 Million |newspaper=The Wall Street Journal |date=April 15, 1970 |page=9 |author= |id={{ProQuest|133529692}}}}{{cite news |title=Tandy Corp. Buys Allied Radio Assets: Companies Take Merger Actions |newspaper=The New York Times |date=April 15, 1970 |page=77 |author= |url=https://www.nytimes.com/1970/04/15/archives/tandy-corp-buys-allied-radio-assets-companies-take-merger-actions.html |id={{ProQuest|119038640}}}}{{cite news |title=Tandy Will Sell 36 Retail Stores: Outlets Acquired In 1970 In Allied Radio Deal |newspaper=The New York Times |date=December 29, 1971 |page=45 |author= |url=https://www.nytimes.com/1971/12/29/archives/tandy-will-sell-36-retail-stores-outlets-acquired-in-1970-in-allied.html |id={{ProQuest|119125067}}}}{{cite news |title=Tandy Corp. Must Shed Allied Radio Corp. Units Under Consent Proposal |newspaper=The Wall Street Journal |date=December 29, 1971 |page=9 |author= |id={{ProQuest|133561649}}}} some stores sold to Schaak Electronics in 1973,{{cite news |title=Tandy Agrees to Sell 27 Allied Radio Stores To Schaak Electronics |newspaper=The Wall Street Journal |date=December 4, 1973 |page=3 |author= |id={{ProQuest|133790767}}}}{{cite news |title=Schaak hopes to turn up Allied volume |newspaper=Chicago Tribune |date=February 19, 1974 |page=C8 |first=George |last=Lazarus |url=http://archives.chicagotribune.com/1974/02/19/page/52/article/schaak-hopes-to-turn-up-allied-volume |id={{ProQuest|170976360}}}} a few stores converted to Radio Shack, and the rest closed
  • Bernie's
  • Bryn Mawr Stereo
  • Circuit City{{spaced ndash}} filed for bankruptcy in 2008 and liquidated on March 8, 2009;{{cite news |url=https://dealbook.nytimes.com/2008/11/10/circuit-city-files-for-bankruptcy/ |title=Circuit City Files for Bankruptcy |newspaper=The New York Times |date=November 10, 2008 |author=}}{{cite news |url=https://dealbook.nytimes.com/2009/01/16/circuit-city-to-liquidate-after-sale-efforts-fail/ |title=Circuit City to Liquidate After Sale Efforts Fail |newspaper=The New York Times |date=January 16, 2009 |author=}}{{cite news |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2009/01/17/technology/companies/17circuit.html |title=Circuit City to Shut Down |newspaper=The New York Times |date=January 16, 2009 |first=Stephanie |last=Rosenbloom}} reopened online through Tiger Direct in April 2009; closed again in late December 2012; intellectual property was sold again to Circuit City Corp. in January 2016, which plans to open an online operation and retail stores
  • CompuAdd{{spaced ndash}} bankrupted in 1993{{cite news |url=https://www.nytimes.com/1993/06/23/business/company-news-compuadd-computer-files-for-chapter-11.html |title=Compuadd Computer Files For Chapter 11 |newspaper=The New York Times |date=June 23, 1993 |author=}}
  • CompUSA {{spaced ndash}} on November 2, 2012, it was announced that Systemax would drop both the CompUSA and Circuit City storefront brands; CompUSA was relaunched in 2018 as an online retailer.
  • Computer City{{spaced ndash}} CompUSA quickly closed this chain after purchasing it from Tandy in 1998{{cite news |url=http://chronicle.augusta.com/stories/1998/06/23/tec_231633.shtml |title=Computer City-CompUSA merger prompts local confusion |newspaper=The Augusta Chronicle |date=June 23, 1998 |author=}}{{cite news |url=https://www.courant.com/1998/09/04/new-owner-closes-computer-city-store/ |title=New Owner Closes Computer City Store |newspaper=Hartford Courant |date=September 4, 1998 |author=}}
  • Crazy Eddie{{spaced ndash}} liquidated in 1989{{cite news |url=https://www.nytimes.com/1989/10/04/business/crazy-eddie-to-liquidate-ending-move-to-reorganize.html |title=Crazy Eddie to Liquidate, Ending Move to Reorganize |newspaper=The New York Times |date=October 4, 1989 |author=}}{{cite news |url=https://www.nytimes.com/1989/06/21/business/crazy-eddie-in-chapter-11.html |title=Crazy Eddie In Chapter 11 |newspaper=The New York Times |date=June 21, 1989 |author=}}
  • Davega Stores{{spaced ndash}} bankrupt in 1963
  • Douglas TV
  • DOW Stereo/Video
  • Erol's
  • Federated Group
  • Fretter
  • Fry's Electronics{{spaced ndash}} Closed permanently in 2021 after 35 years as a result of low sales, and potentially bankruptcy and liquidation due to online competition and the COVID-19 pandemic
  • Future Shop{{spaced ndash}}Closed in the US 1999. Bought out by Best Buy 2001. March 28, 2015, Best Buy announced the dissolution of the Future Shop brand and the closure of 66 of its locations.
  • Gateway Country{{spaced ndash}} operated by Gateway from 1996 to 2004
  • Good Guys{{spaced ndash}} purchased by CompUSA in 2003
  • H. H. Gregg, Inc. Went bankrupt and closed in 2017; relaunched as an online retailer in 2017 and opened its first brick and mortar store in 2019 following bankruptcy.
  • HiFi Buys
  • Highland Superstores{{spaced ndash}} liquidated in 1993{{cite news |url=https://www.nytimes.com/1991/06/25/business/business-people-highland-superstores-to-cut-management.html |title=Highland Superstores To Cut Management |newspaper=The New York Times |date=June 25, 1991 |first=Isadore |last=Barmash}}{{cite news |url=https://www.nytimes.com/1993/03/17/business/company-news-highland-superstores-to-liquidate-assets.html |title=Highland Superstores To Liquidate Assets |newspaper=The New York Times |date=March 17, 1993 |author=}}{{cite news |url=https://www.chicagotribune.com/1993/03/16/highland-closing-highland-superstores-inc-which-has/ |title=Highland closing: Highland Superstores Inc., which has... |newspaper=Chicago Tribune |date=March 16, 1993 |author=}}
  • Incredible Universe {{spaced ndash}} closed in 1997; six stores acquired by Fry's Electronics and the rest shut down
  • J&R{{spaced ndash}} major New York City electronics and music store officially closed in April 2014
  • Lafayette Radio
  • Lechmere
  • Luskin's{{spaced ndash}} Baltimore, Maryland-based appliance and electronics retailer{{cite news |url=http://www.bizjournals.com/baltimore/stories/1996/10/07/story1.html |title=Luskin starts new chain |newspaper=Baltimore Business Journal |date=October 7, 1996 |first=David |last=Harrison}}{{cite news |url=http://articles.sun-sentinel.com/1987-04-15/business/8701240509_1_luskins-court-filing-reorganization |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150402154835/http://articles.sun-sentinel.com/1987-04-15/business/8701240509_1_luskins-court-filing-reorganization |url-status=dead |archive-date=April 2, 2015 |title=Luskins Asks Protection From Creditors |newspaper=Sun Sentinel |date=April 15, 1987 |first=Lane |last=Kelley}}
  • Mars Music {{spaced ndash}} Founded in 1996, over-expansion, a struggle to raise financial capital and a failed reorganization attempt led to Chapter 7 bankruptcy in 2002.
  • Newmark and Lewis
  • Olson Electronics (currently a redirect that needs expansion){{spaced ndash}} a nationwide electronics store chain founded in 1927 by brothers Sidney, Philip and Irving Olsen in Akron, Ohio; at one time had more retail locations than Radio Shack; sold to Teledyne in 1968 and rebranded Teledyne Olson Electronics; later sold to 3 Chicago investors in August 1984 who later filed for bankruptcy just 15 months later; filed for bankruptcy in 1985{{cite news |title=Olson's Electronics Stocks Hi-Fi's, CB Radios, Stereos |newspaper=Los Angeles Times |date=September 21, 1978 |page=J6 |author= |id={{ProQuest|158646655}}}}{{cite news |url=http://www.twice.com/news/sidney-olson-85-0 |title=Sidney Olson, 85 |magazine=TWICE |date=November 6, 2000 |author=}}{{cite news |url=http://azstarnet.com/lifestyles/photog-has-experience-years-worth/article_e50610e5-2850-51d7-a668-9dd7683e20c6.html |title=Photog has experience – 86 years' worth |newspaper=Arizona Daily Star |date=September 5, 2009 |first=Doug |last=Kreutz}}{{cite news |url=http://www.ohio.com/news/local/ruth-bogen-olson-arts-supporter-philanthropist-1.241817 |title=Ruth Bogen Olson: arts supporter, philanthropist |newspaper=Akron Beacon Journal |date=October 23, 2011 |first=Jewell |last=Cardwell}}{{cite news |url=http://www.legacy.com/obituaries/ohio/obituary.aspx?pid=152421922 |title=Willis Richard Wolf, Obituary |newspaper=Akron Beacon Journal |date=July 8, 2011 |author=}}{{cite news |title=Olson Electronics seeks bankruptcy |newspaper=Cleveland Plain Dealer |date=December 3, 1985 |page=E5 |url=http://nl.newsbank.com/nl-search/we/Archives?p_product=HA-CPDB&s_site=ohio&p_multi=HA-CPDB&p_theme=histpaper&p_action=search&p_maxdocs=200&p_topdoc=1&p_text_direct-0=1326649C320F71E8&p_field_direct-0=document_id&p_perpage=10&p_sort=YMD_date:D&s_trackval=GooglePM |url-access=subscription}}{{cite news |title=Once-Thriving Olson Battles For Survival |newspaper=Akron Beacon Journal |date=January 26, 1986 |page=C6 |first=Greg |last=Gardner |url=http://nl.newsbank.com/nl-search/we/Archives?p_product=AK&p_theme=ak&p_action=search&p_maxdocs=200&p_topdoc=1&p_text_direct-0=0EB62697ACB1E613&p_field_direct-0=document_id&p_perpage=10&p_sort=YMD_date:D&s_trackval=GooglePM |url-access=subscription}} [http://infoweb.newsbank.com/resources/openurl?ctx_ver=z39.88-2004&rft_dat=news%2F0EB62697ACB1E613&rft_id=info%3Asid%2Finfoweb.newsbank.com&rft_val_format=info%3Aofi%2Ffmt%3Akev%3Amtx%3Actx&svc_dat=AWNB&req_dat=0D10997327EA07D5 Alternate Link] via NewsBank.{{cite news |title=Olson's Seeks Chapter 11 Protection |newspaper=Akron Beacon Journal |date=November 30, 1985 |page=C2 |first=Greg |last=Gardner |url=http://nl.newsbank.com/nl-search/we/Archives?p_product=AK&p_theme=ak&p_action=search&p_maxdocs=200&p_topdoc=1&p_text_direct-0=0EB626804DB5087F&p_field_direct-0=document_id&p_perpage=10&p_sort=YMD_date:D&s_trackval=GooglePM |url-access=subscription}} [http://infoweb.newsbank.com/resources/openurl?ctx_ver=z39.88-2004&rft_dat=news%2F0EB626804DB5087F&rft_id=info%3Asid%2Finfoweb.newsbank.com&rft_val_format=info%3Aofi%2Ffmt%3Akev%3Amtx%3Actx&svc_dat=AWNB&req_dat=0D10997327EA07D5 Alternate Link] via NewsBank.{{cite news |title=Olson Files List Of Debts Electronics Firm Owes $5 Million |newspaper=Akron Beacon Journal |date=December 19, 1985 |page=G1 |first=Greg |last=Gardner |url=http://nl.newsbank.com/nl-search/we/Archives?p_product=AK&p_theme=ak&p_action=search&p_maxdocs=200&p_topdoc=1&p_text_direct-0=0EB6268A5E2441BE&p_field_direct-0=document_id&p_perpage=10&p_sort=YMD_date:D&s_trackval=GooglePM |url-access=subscription}} [http://infoweb.newsbank.com/resources/openurl?ctx_ver=z39.88-2004&rft_dat=news%2F0EB6268A5E2441BE&rft_id=info%3Asid%2Finfoweb.newsbank.com&rft_val_format=info%3Aofi%2Ffmt%3Akev%3Amtx%3Actx&svc_dat=AWNB&req_dat=0D10997327EA07D5 Alternate Link] via NewsBank.
  • Polk Brothers
  • RCA
  • Schaak Electronics{{spaced ndash}} liquidated in 1986 after filing for bankruptcy the second time in a decade{{cite news |url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?nid=1129&dat=19750407&id=4alRAAAAIBAJ&pg=4076,847268 |title=Schaak Files Chap. 11 Action |newspaper=Pittsburgh Post-Gazette |date=April 7, 1975 |page=18 |author= |via=Google News}}{{cite news |title=Schaak Electronics Files for Chapter 11 After Banks Seize Cash |newspaper=The Wall Street Journal |date=April 7, 1975 |page=3 |author= |id={{ProQuest|134015384}}}}{{cite news |title=Schaak Electronics Files for Protection Under Chapter 11 |newspaper=The Wall Street Journal |date=July 15, 1985 |page=1 |author= |id={{ProQuest|397921067}}}}{{cite news |title=Schaak Electronics Closes 21 Stores, Plans To Liquidate Assets |newspaper=The Wall Street Journal |date=February 20, 1986 |page=1 |author= |id={{ProQuest|398058186}}}}
  • Sharper Image{{spaced ndash}} filed for bankruptcy in 2008 only to relaunch in 2009.
  • Silo

{{div col end}}

Five-and-dime; variety stores

{{div col}}

{{div col end}}

Furniture stores

{{div col}}

  • Art Van Furniture{{spaced ndash}} Founded in 1959 in Warren, MI, and operated over 300 stores and outlets in 7 states. On March 5, 2020, Art Van Furniture announced it would liquidate all of their company owned stores and file for chapter 11 bankruptcy.
  • Barker Bros. {{spaced ndash}} Los Angeles-based furniture store chain which was at one time the largest furniture store chain on the west coast for nearly a century before it filed for bankruptcy in 1992
  • Bombay Company{{spaced ndash}} U.S. stores
  • Castro Convertibles{{spaced ndash}} primarily Northeast and Southeast U.S.
  • Fradkin Brothers Furniture{{spaced ndash}} Baltimore County, Maryland
  • Georg Jensen Inc. (New York, NY) (1935-1968)
  • Harden Furniture {{spaced ndash}} was in business for 175 years before ceasing operations{{cite news |last1=Gymburch|first1=Dave |title=Sale of Harden Furniture property continues to move forward |url=https://romesentinel.com/stories/sale-of-harden-furniture-property-continues-to-move-forward,76539 |access-date=17 June 2020 |work=Rome Daily Sentinel |language=en}}
  • Heilig-Meyers
  • Levitz Furniture {{spaced ndash}} was in business for nearly 100 years before liquidating in bankruptcy in early 2008
  • Linens 'n Things

{{div col end}}

Grocery stores and supermarkets

=A–M=

{{div col}}

  • 365 by Whole Foods Market{{spaced ndash}} convert to regular Whole Foods stores in 2019 after Amazon acquired Whole Foods
  • A&P{{spaced ndash}} also known as The Great Atlantic & Pacific Tea Company; filed for bankruptcy for the second time in July 2015 and closed its last store in November 2015{{cite news |url=https://nypost.com/2015/11/03/bankrupt-ap-unable-to-get-buyers-for-13-of-stores/ |title=Bankrupt A&P unable to get buyers for 1/3 of stores |newspaper=new York Post |date=November 3, 2015 |first=Lisa |last=Fickenscher}}
  • ABC Markets
  • ABCO Foods- former Arizona division of Alpha Beta spun off in 1984; stores closed by 2003
  • AJ Bayless- Arizona; stores sold to Bashas' in 1993
  • Alpha Beta{{spaced ndash}} converted to Ralphs or Food 4 Less in 1994{{cite news |url=https://www.nytimes.com/1994/09/15/business/company-news-california-grocery-deal-yucaipa-to-buy-ralphs.html?pagewanted=all |title=Grocery Deal: Yucaipa to Buy Ralphs |newspaper=New York Times |date=September 15, 1994 |first=Kit R. |last=Roane}}
  • Big Bear Stores{{spaced ndash}} Columbus, Ohio based chain; stores closed or sold to Kroger by 2004. Unrelated chain in San Diego with same name sold to Fleming Companies and Albertsons in 1994
  • BI-LO – dissolved in 2021
  • Bohack
  • Bottom Dollar Food {{spaced ndash}} acquired by Aldi 2015
  • Boys Markets{{spaced ndash}} converted to Ralphs or Food 4 Less in 1994
  • Bruno's
  • Buehler Foods{{spaced ndash}} operated as Buehler's Buy-Low
  • Buttrey Food & Drug{{spaced ndash}} Montana, Wyoming, North Dakota; sold to Albertsons in 1998
  • Cala Foods and Bell Markets{{spaced ndash}} rebranded as DeLano's IGA; others sold to other retailers
  • Carter's Foods
  • Chatham Supermarkets{{spaced ndash}} chain headquartered in Southeastern Michigan founded by Royal Supermarkets in the mid-1950s, bankrupt in 1987, acquired by Kroger after defunct
  • Clemens Markets{{spaced ndash}} suburban Philadelphia, Pennsylvania; acquired by Giant in 2006
  • Colonial Stores
  • Big Star Markets
  • Dahl's Foods{{spaced ndash}} Des Moines, Iowa-based chain; acquired by Associated Wholesale Grocers after bankruptcy and rebranded as Price Chopper and Cash Saver in 2015{{cite news |first=Jason |last=Rantala |title=Last Dahl's stores becoming Price Chopper, Cash Saver |work=KCCI |url=http://www.kcci.com/news/price-chopper-says-customers-can-expect-a-dramatic-change/32092762 |date=2015-03-31}}
  • Delchamps
  • Dick's Supermarket{{spaced ndash}} Southwestern Wisconsin; acquired by Piggly Wiggly in 2006
  • Dominick's{{spaced ndash}} Chicagoland; operated by Safeway from 1998 until the last closures in January 2014; some locations acquired by Jewel, Whole Foods Market, Mariano's Fresh Market, and Heinen's Fine Foods
  • Eagle Food Centers- Midwest chain; ceased operations by 2003
  • Eisner Food Stores{{spaced ndash}} downstate Illinois chain acquired by Jewel Food Stores, stores converted to the Jewel name by 1985
  • Family Mart{{spaced ndash}}Florida-based Family Mart division of A&P was closed in 1999
  • Farmer Jack{{spaced ndash}} Metro Detroit; acquired by A&P in 1989, closed July 7, 2007, then liquidated
  • Fazio's{{spaced ndash}} originally was Fisher Foods; in California, first known as Fazio's Shopping Bag and then just Fazio's
  • Finast (also known as First National Stores){{spaced ndash}} purchased by Ahold; rebranded Edwards
  • Fisher Foods{{spaced ndash}} was named Fazio's after a merger in 1965
  • Food Fair{{spaced ndash}} later Pantry Pride
  • Fresh & Easy{{spaced ndash}} California, Nevada, Arizona; American subsidiary of British retailer Tesco
  • Furrs Supermarkets{{spaced ndash}} New Mexico/West Texas; went bankrupt in 2001.
  • Genuardi's {{spaced ndash}} defunct as of 2012 as a chain; 2015 all locations
  • Giant{{spaced ndash}} Ralphs big box format; Southern California
  • Giant Open Air{{spaced ndash}} merged with Farm Fresh Food & Pharmacy
  • Haggen{{spaced ndash}} west coast regional chain, acquired by Albertsons. Several locations still exist.
  • Hills Supermarkets
  • Hinky Dinky{{spaced ndash}} Nebraska chain acquired by Nash Finch in 2000
  • Hughes Markets{{spaced ndash}}a Southern California-based supermarket chain that was first acquired by QFC in 1996{{cite news |url=https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-1996-11-21-fi-1256-story.html |title=Hughes Markets to Be Sold |newspaper=Los Angeles Times |date=November 21, 1996 |first=Vicki |last=Torres}} and then merger into Ralphs the following year when the parent companies of both Hughes and Ralphs were simultaneously acquired by Fred Meyer{{cite news |url=https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-1997-nov-07-mn-51144-story.html |title=Ralphs, Hughes Market Chains Plan Merger |newspaper=Los Angeles Times |date=November 7, 1997 |first=George |last=White}}
  • Jewel T{{spaced ndash}} founded by the Jewel Companies as their discount chain, but was sold to Save-A-Lot in 1984 when Jewel was acquired by American Stores{{cite news |url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?nid=1346&dat=19790314&id=JXVRAAAAIBAJ&pg=6583,4550054 |title='Jewel T' Plans No Frill Discount Grocery in Edgewood |newspaper=Lakeland Ledger |date=March 14, 1979 |page=6D |first=Clint |last=Duke |via=Google News}}{{cite news |url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?nid=888&dat=19790406&id=Bk5SAAAAIBAJ&pg=5143,5647866 |title=President of Jewel T credits feminism, but prefers to talk shop |newspaper=St. Petersburg Times |date=April 6, 1979 |page=8C |first=Doron |last=Levin |via=Google News}}{{cite news |url=http://supermarketnews.com/archive/supervalus-crown-jewel |title=SuperValu's Crown Jewel |website=Supermarket News |date=April 29, 2002 |first=Martin |last=Schneider |url-access=subscription}}
  • Jitney Jungle
  • Kash n' Karry{{spaced ndash}} became Sweetbay Supermarket
  • Kessel Food Market — Michigan chain sold to Kroger
  • Kohl's Food Stores{{spaced ndash}} Wisconsin chain acquired by A&P and closed by 2003
  • Laneco{{spaced ndash}} Eastern Pennsylvania/Western New Jersey; closed in 2001{{cite news |url=https://www.mcall.com/2001/05/30/lanecos-foodlanes-to-close-1440-workers-at-14-area-stores-face-layoffs-supervalu-to-sell-markets/ |title=Lanecos, Foodlanes to close: 1,440 workers at 14 area stores face layoffs. Supervalu to sell markets. |newspaper=The Morning Call |date=May 30, 2001 |first=Dan |last=Shope}}
  • Loblaws{{spaced ndash}} Northeastern Ohio, Northwestern Pennsylvania and Western New York. Stores in California sold in 1976.
  • Market Basket (California){{spaced ndash}} Former Kroger associated chain that operated in Southern California from 1930 to 1982. Not related to similar named chains in Texas, Louisiana, or New England.
  • Mars (supermarket){{spaced ndash}}Maryland grocery chain which operated from 1943 to 2016.
  • Marsh Supermarkets{{spaced ndash}} Indiana and Ohio chain that was liquidated in 2017

{{div col end}}

=N–Z=

{{div col}}

{{div col end}}

Home decor and craft stores

{{div col}}

{{div col end}}

Home improvement

{{div col}}

{{div col end}}

Music, booksellers, and video stores (records, tapes, books, CDs, DVDs, etc.)

=A–M=

{{div col}}

  • B. Dalton{{spaced ndash}} closed in 2010{{cite news |url=http://www.startribune.com/business/80757022.html |title=Closing the book on B. Dalton |newspaper=Minneapolis Star Tribune |date=January 5, 2010 |first=Jackie |last=Crosby}}
  • Blockbuster Music{{spaced ndash}} sold to Wherehouse Music in 1998;{{cite news |url=https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-1998-aug-12-fi-12311-story.html |title=Wherehouse to Buy Blockbuster Music: The $115-million cash deal would make Wherehouse the nation's No. 2 music chain |newspaper=Los Angeles Times |date=August 12, 1998 |first=George |last=White}} some locations converted to Wherehouse Music; majority were closed
  • Blockbuster Video{{spaced ndash}} sold to Dish Network in 2011;{{cite news |url=http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2011/04/06/dish-blockbuster-buy-cash_n_845401.html |title=Dish Network Acquires Blockbuster For $228 Million In Cash |work=The Huffington Post |date=April 4, 2011 |author=}} all company-owned stores were closed January 12, 2014, but 1 franchise store remains open in Bend, Oregon.{{cite news |url=https://online.wsj.com/news/articles/SB10001424052702304448204579185702090813172 |title=Not All Blockbuster Stores Are Closing: Al Lewis Says the Chain Didn't Reinvent Itself and Neglected Its Stores |newspaper=The Wall Street Journal |date=November 10, 2013 |first=Al |last=Lewis}}
  • Bookstop
  • Borders Books{{spaced ndash}} filed for bankruptcy in 2011;{{cite news |url=https://www.wsj.com/articles/SB10001424052702303661904576454353768550280 |title=Borders Forced to Liquidate, Close All Stores |newspaper=The Wall Street Journal |date=July 19, 2011 |first1=Mike |last1=Spector |first2=Jeffrey A. |last2=Trachtenberg |name-list-style=amp}} some locations purchased by Books-A-Million; borders.com website acquired by Barnes & Noble Booksellers
  • Camelot Music{{spaced ndash}} converted to FYE stores{{cite news |url=http://www.bizjournals.com/albany/stories/1998/11/02/story4.html |title=Trans World finds Camelot in purchase of competitor |newspaper=The Business Review |date=November 2, 1998 |first=Deborah |last=Moore}}
  • CD World{{spaced ndash}} converted to FYE
  • Coconuts Music{{spaced ndash}} converted to FYE
  • Crown Books{{spaced ndash}} founded by Robert Haft in 1977; liquidated in 2001 after second bankruptcy{{cite news |url=https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-2001-feb-13-fi-24709-story.html |title=Retailing |newspaper=Los Angeles Times |date=February 13, 2001 |author=}}{{cite news |url=http://www.bizjournals.com/washington/stories/2001/03/12/daily16.html |title=Hilco to oversee Crown liquidation |newspaper=Washington Business Journal |date=March 13, 2001 |first=Sean |last=Madigan}}
  • Disc Jockey{{spaced ndash}} converted to FYE
  • Encore Books{{spaced ndash}} permanently closed in 1999
  • Family Christian Stores{{spaced ndash}} filed for bankruptcy in April 2015, forced to liquidate all stores in 2017
  • Harmony House{{spaced ndash}} Michigan
  • Hastings Entertainment {{spaced ndash}} filed for bankruptcy in June 2016. Remaining stores closed October 31, 2016{{cite news|url=https://www.newswest9.com/article/news/local/hastings-entertainment-to-close-will-liquidate-all-stores/513-414ec0b4-4290-4fba-a4d6-3de91a3a021e|title=Hastings Entertainment to close, will liquidate all stores |date=July 22, 2016 }}
  • Hollywood Video {{spaced ndash}} ceased operations in May 2010{{cite news |url=http://www.nbcnews.com/id/37068852/ns/business-us_business/t/no-rental-chain-hollywood-video-close/ |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131111232617/http://www.nbcnews.com/id/37068852/ns/business-us_business/t/no-rental-chain-hollywood-video-close/ |url-status=dead |archive-date=November 11, 2013 |title=No. 2 rental chain Hollywood Video to close: Parent Movie Gallery Inc. had filed for bankruptcy in February of this year |publisher=NBC News |date=May 10, 2010 |first=Michael |last=Felberbaum}}
  • Incredible Universe {{spaced ndash}} Several stores bought by Frys
  • J&R{{spaced ndash}} New York City; closed their music store at the beginning of 2014
  • Kim's Video and Music
  • King Karol{{spaced ndash}} New York City
  • Kroch's and Brentano's{{spaced ndash}} Chicago-based bookstore chain; filed for bankruptcy in 1995{{cite news |url=https://www.chicagotribune.com/1995/06/17/krochs-files-for-bankruptcy/ |title=Kroch's Files For Bankruptcy |newspaper=Chicago Tribune |date=June 17, 1995 |first=Genevieve |last=Buck}}
  • Licorice Pizza{{spaced ndash}} Southern California chain that was started in Long Beach by James Greenwood in 1969,{{cite magazine |last=Nichols |first=Chris |title=A Look Back at Licorice Pizza, the SoCal Record Store P.T. Anderson's New Movie Is Named After |url=https://www.lamag.com/culturefiles/licorice-pizza-paul-thomas-anderson/ |magazine=Los Angeles Magazine |date=September 15, 2021 |archive-date=October 4, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211004153318/https://www.lamag.com/culturefiles/licorice-pizza-paul-thomas-anderson/ |url-status=live}} acquired by Record Bar in 1985, acquired by Musicland in 1986,{{cite news |url=https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-1986-04-23-fi-1244-story.html |title=Licorice Pizza Chain Will Be Sold to American Can Unit |newspaper=Los Angeles Times |date=April 23, 1986 |first=Denise |last=Gellene}} and rebranded Sam Goody.{{cite news |url=https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-1987-03-29-ca-835-story.html |title=Pop Eye |newspaper=Los Angeles Times |date=March 29, 1987 |first=Patrick |last=Goldstein |quote=And a fond farewell to Licorice Pizza, the popular Southland music and video stores which will undergo a name change at the end of the month as part of a corporate consolidation by new parent company, Musicland Group, Minneapolis. The chain has renamed its 35 area Licorice Pizza stores, which will now be called Sam Goody Music & Video.}} In November 2021, director Paul Thomas Anderson released a movie with the same name loosely based on this chain.
  • Media Play{{spaced ndash}} closed and dissolved in 2006; a media superstore (books, music, and video) concept created by Musicland in 1992{{cite press release |title=Musicland Stores Corporation 1992 earnings up 205 percent |work=PR Newswire |date=January 19, 1993 |author= |id={{ProQuest|450085860}}}}{{cite news |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=RA0EAAAAMBAJ&q=on+cue+music+store+musicland+merger&pg=RA1-PA45 |title=Tower Records' Struggle Reflected Industry's Turmoil |magazine=Billboard |date=December 28, 2002 |volume=114 |issue=52 |page=45 |first=Ed |last=Christman |id={{ProQuest|227148754}}}}
  • Movie Gallery{{spaced ndash}} operated stores under the Hollywood Video, Movie Gallery, and Game Crazy brands; liquidated and closed in 2010{{cite news |url=http://www.dallasnews.com/business/headlines/20100503-Movie-Gallery-closing-stores-which-7283.ece |title=Movie Gallery closing stores, which is bittersweet news for Blockbuster |newspaper=Dallas Morning News |date=May 3, 2010 |first=Maria |last=Halkias}}
  • MovieStop (purchased by Hastings Entertainment shortly before bankruptcy)
  • Music Plus{{spaced ndash}} Southern California-based chain that was acquired by Blockbuster and converted
  • Musicland{{spaced ndash}} founded in Minneapolis in 1955, acquired by American Can in 1977; Musicland Group acquired Sam Goody in 1978 while keeping brand separate{{cite news |url=https://www.nytimes.com/1988/06/13/business/at-85-sam-goody-longs-for-a-new-business.html |title=At 85, Sam Goody Longs For a New Business |newspaper=The New York Times |date=June 13, 1988 |page=D2 |first=Isadore |last=Barmash |id={{ProQuest|110550230}}}} until 1997 when the Musicland Group decided to rebrand all existing Musicland stores as Sam Goody;{{cite news |url=http://chronicle.augusta.com/stories/1997/08/01/biz_212223.shtml |title=Musicland stores being renamed Sam Goody as part of turnaround |newspaper=The Augusta Chronicle |date=August 1, 1997 |author=}}{{cite news |url=http://www.bizjournals.com/twincities/stories/1997/07/28/daily16.html |title=Musicland to rename stores |newspaper=Minneapolis St. Paul Business Journal |date=August 1, 1997 |author=}} Musicland Group acquired by Best Buy in 2001{{cite news |url=https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-2000-dec-08-fi-62844-story.html |title=Best Buy Agrees to Buy Musicland Stores |newspaper=Los Angeles Times |date=December 8, 2000 |first1=Thomas K. |last1=Arnold |first2=Stephanie |last2=Prange |name-list-style=amp}} and eventually sold to Trans World Entertainment

{{div col end}}

=N–Z=

{{div col}}

  • National Record Mart{{spaced ndash}} a Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania-based company that went bankrupt in 2002{{cite news |url=http://old.post-gazette.com/businessnews/20020125nrm0125bnp2.asp |title=The day the music dies: NRM workers bemoan loss of a company they loved and couldn't leave |newspaper=Pittsburgh Post-Gazette |date=January 25, 2002 |first=Teresa F. |last=Lindeman}}{{cite news |title=National Record Mart Inc. |newspaper=The Wall Street Journal |date=November 16, 1993 |page=B4 |author= |id={{ProQuest|398386431}}}}{{cite press release |title=National Record Mart Begins Going Out of Business Sales On November 23 At 113 Stores |work=Business Wire |date=November 21, 2001 |page=1 |author= |id={{ProQuest|445609416}}}}{{cite news |url=http://www.specialtyretail.net/issues/may99/record.htm |title=Spinning a tale of success; The Nation's First Music Store Chain Hits New Targets; National Record Mart |publisher=Entertainment Specialty Projects |date=May 1999 |first=Janet |last=Heller |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120110060418/http://www.specialtyretail.net/issues/may99/record.htm |archive-date=2012-01-10 }}{{cite news |url=http://www.secinfo.com/dsvrv.6pn.htm |title=SEC 10-K for March 1999 |publisher=Securities and Exchange Commission |date=March 27, 1999 |author=}}
  • Planet Music{{spaced ndash}} converted to FYE
  • Record Bar{{spaced ndash}} malls; acquired by Blockbuster in 1993 and converted{{cite news |url=http://articles.sun-sentinel.com/1993-10-07/business/9310060726_1_blockbuster-music-retailing-music-stores |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151022144800/http://articles.sun-sentinel.com/1993-10-07/business/9310060726_1_blockbuster-music-retailing-music-stores |url-status=dead |archive-date=October 22, 2015 |title=Blockbuster To Buy 430-store Music, Video Retailer |newspaper=Fort Lauderdale Sun Sentinel |date=October 7, 1993 |first=David |last=Altaner}}
  • Record Town{{spaced ndash}} store name changed to FYE by parent company Trans World Entertainment
  • Record World{{spaced ndash}} company also operated The Record Shops at TSS; was purchased by W.H. Smith after declaring bankruptcy in 1992; rebranded The Wall the following year{{cite news |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=sSQEAAAAMBAJ&q=tss+record+world+elroy&pg=PA55 |title=Retailing: Upbeat Mood At Record World Meet |magazine=Billboard |date=October 18, 1986 |pages=55, 57 |volume=98 |issue=42 |last=Mayfield |first=Geoff |id={{ProQuest|1438655720}}}}{{cite news |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=sSQEAAAAMBAJ&q=tss+record+world+elroy&pg=PA55 |title=Retailing: Personal Touch Pays For Elroy's Imber |magazine=Billboard |date=October 18, 1986 |pages=55, 57 |volume=98 |issue=42 |last=Mayfield |first=Geoff |id={{ProQuest|1438655705}}}}{{cite news |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=9iQEAAAAMBAJ&q=tss+record+shops+record+world+chain&pg=PT7 |title=After Testing, TSS Retail Web Ups Tape Prices |magazine=Billboard |date=July 5, 1980 |page=8 |volume=92 |issue=27 |author= |id={{ProQuest|1286251630}}}}
  • Sam Goody{{spaced ndash}} most locations converted to FYE, but two locations continued to operate as Sam Goody until they closed in 2025.
  • Saturday Matinee{{spaced ndash}} converted to FYE
  • Sound Warehouse{{spaced ndash}} Dallas, Texas based chain; acquired by Blockbuster in 1992 and all stores converted to Blockbuster Music.
  • Spec's Music{{spaced ndash}} Florida-based chain; last store closed in 2013{{cite news |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2013/01/12/us/after-65-years-specs-records-of-florida-is-closing.html |title=Florida Record Store Goes the Way of the 8-Track |newspaper=The New York Times |date=January 11, 2013 |first=Lizette |last=Alvarez}}
  • Strawberries Music{{spaced ndash}} converted to FYE
  • Streetside Records{{spaced ndash}} converted to FYE
  • Suncoast Motion Picture Company{{spaced ndash}} converted to FYE, though three continue to operate as Suncoast Motion Picture Company.
  • Tape World{{spaced ndash}} a store concept created by Trans World Entertainment in 1979 but later replaced by its f.y.e. store concept{{cite news |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=iQ4EAAAAMBAJ&q=%22tape+world%22+started+%22trans+world%22+history&pg=PA75 |title=Trans World at 25 |magazine=Billboard |date=July 5, 1997 |volume=109 |issue=27 |pages=68, 70, and 74–76 |first=Eileen |last=Fitzpatrick |id={{ProQuest|227090586}}}}
  • Tower Records{{spaced ndash}} founded in 1960 in Sacramento, California; all retail stores were liquidated in 2006{{cite news |url=https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-2006-oct-07-fi-tower7-story.html |title=Tower Records to Sell Off Inventory: Liquidation specialist Great American Group, which bought the bankrupt music retailer for $134.3million, plans to close all 89 stores. |newspaper=Los Angeles Times |date=October 7, 2006 |first=Alana |last=Semuels}} and the name was purchased for use as an online-only retailer
  • Turtle's Records & Tapes{{spaced ndash}} Atlanta, Georgia based chain with most stores located in Georgia and Florida; acquired by Blockbuster in 1993 and converted
  • Virgin Megastores{{spaced ndash}} all Megastores in the United States were closed in 2009{{cite news |url=http://www.hollywoodreporter.com/news/virgin-megastores-close-80170 |title=All Virgin Megastores in U.S. to close |newspaper=The Hollywood Reporter |date=March 3, 2009 |author=}} and the remaining airport stores closed a few years later
  • Waldenbooks {{spaced ndash}} in 2011 the chain was liquidated after parent Borders filed for bankruptcy in 2011{{cite news |url=http://qctimes.com/business/all-waldenbooks-borders-stores-closing/article_625a19e8-b18f-11e0-9c18-001cc4c002e0.html |title=All Waldenbooks, Borders stores closing |newspaper=Quad-City Times |date=July 18, 2011 |first=Doug |last=Schorpp}}
  • Wallichs Music City{{spaced ndash}} the largest music retailer on the West Coast during the 1950s and 1960s; founded by Glenn Wallich, founder of Capitol Records; had stores in California and briefly in Arizona before it went bankrupt in 1977{{cite book |chapter-url=https://books.google.com/books?id=4Jj5hbl1ZK0C&q=clyde+wallichs+music+city&pg=PT66 |chapter=Wallich's Music City and Capitol Records |title=Hollywood Remembered: An Oral History of Its Golden Age |year=2011 |first=Paul |last=Zollo |pages=44–45 |publisher=Taylor Trade Publications |isbn=9781589796034}}{{cite news |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=uR8EAAAAMBAJ&q=clyde+wallichs+music+city&pg=PA52 |title=Looking Backwards Means Little; Next Ten Years Offer Challenges |magazine=Billboard |date=August 2, 1952 |page=52 |volume=64 |issue=31 |first=Glenn E. |last=Wallichs}}{{cite news |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=uR8EAAAAMBAJ&q=clyde+wallichs+music+city&pg=PA48 |title=New Pay-Off Trend Is Toward Self-Service |magazine=Billboard |date=August 2, 1952 |pages=48, 111 |volume=64 |issue=31 |first=Johnny |last=Sippel}}{{cite news |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=hgoEAAAAMBAJ&q=WALLICH%27S+MUSIC+CITY+STORES+lakewood&pg=PA15 |title=Wallichs Maps Plans to Expand Disk Outlets |magazine=Billboard |date=December 1, 1956 |volume=68 |number=48 |page=15 |author=}}{{cite news |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=eSgEAAAAMBAJ&q=WALLICHS+MUSIC+CITY+STORES+studio+city&pg=PA6 |title=Wallichs Will Open 7th Outlet--Eyes Move Into Southeast |magazine=Billboard |date=April 19, 1969 |page=6 |volume=81 |issue=16 |author= |id={{ProQuest|1286291559}}}}{{cite news |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=sUUEAAAAMBAJ&q=%22music+city%22+stores+hollywood+bankruptcy&pg=PT9 |title=Wallichs Stores File Bankruptcy: Surprise Move Follow Pioneer Chain's Reorganization |magazine=Billboard |date=March 19, 1977 |page=10 |volume=89 |issue=11 |last=Sippel |first=John |id={{ProQuest|1286330119}}}}
  • West Coast Video{{spaced ndash}} permanently closed in 2009
  • Wherehouse Music{{spaced ndash}} filed for bankruptcy in 2003;{{cite news |url=https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-2003-jan-22-fi-where22-story.html |title=Wherehouse Files for Chapter 11 |newspaper=Los Angeles Times |date=January 22, 2003 |first=Jeff |last=Leeds}}{{cite news |url=http://www.bizjournals.com/stlouis/stories/2003/01/20/daily31.html |title=Wherehouse Music stores' parent files for bankruptcy |work=St. Louis Business Journal |date=January 21, 2003 |author=}} Trans World took control of 111 stores and liquidated nearly a third of them{{cite news |url=https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-2003-oct-01-fi-rup1.5-story.html |title=Court OKs Purchase of Wherehouse Stores |newspaper=Los Angeles Times |date=October 1, 2003 |author=}}{{cite news |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=GREEAAAAMBAJ&q=wherehouse+transworld+bankruptcy&pg=PA73 |title=TransWorld Trumps Sun Capital In Its Bid For Wherehouse |magazine=Billboard |date=October 11, 2003 |page=73 |volume=115 |number=41 |issn=0006-2510 |first=Ed |last=Christman}}

{{div col end}}

Jewelers

Office-supply stores

  • J. K. Gill Company{{spaced ndash}} Pacific Northwest; stationery, office supplies, books; all stores closed by 1999{{cite news |url=http://nl.newsbank.com/nl-search/we/Archives?p_product=OR&p_theme=or&p_action=search&p_maxdocs=200&p_topdoc=1&p_text_direct-0=0EB08B38B2E00340&p_field_direct-0=document_id&p_perpage=10&p_sort=YMD_date:D&s_trackval=GooglePM |url-access=subscription |title=J.K. Gill will end operation |newspaper=Oregonian |date=December 25, 1998 |page=D1 |first=Jim |last=Hill}}
  • Office Warehouse{{spaced ndash}} a Virginia-based office supply chain that was acquired and absorbed by OfficeMax in 1992{{cite news |url=https://www.nytimes.com/1992/03/26/business/company-news-office-max-deal.html |title=Office Max Deal |newspaper=The New York Times |date=March 26, 1992 |author=}}

Pet stores

Toy stores

{{div col}}

  • All Wound Up{{spaced ndash}} acquired by Borders in 1999{{cite news |url=http://www.deseretnews.com/article/732133/At-All-Wound-Up-toy-store-customers-play-then-pay.html?pg=all |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150526052845/http://www.deseretnews.com/article/732133/At-All-Wound-Up-toy-store-customers-play-then-pay.html?pg=all |url-status=dead |archive-date=May 26, 2015 |title=At All Wound Up toy store, customers play, then pay |newspaper=Deseret News |date=December 9, 1999 |first=Elaine |last=Jarvik}}{{cite news |url=https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-1999-apr-08-fi-25324-story.html |title=Borders to Acquire Kiosk Operator All Wound Up |newspaper=Los Angeles Times |date=April 8, 1999 |first=Abigail |last=Goldman}} and closed in 2001{{cite news |url=http://www.fool.com/news/2001/bgp010105.htm |title=Borders Warns, Cuts Loose Toy Division: Borders says its fourth-quarter earnings will fall about 10% below expectations, blaming soft holiday sales and lower margins caused by higher promotional spending. The company has also decided to get rid of its All Wound Up toy stores. |publisher=The Motley Fool |date=January 5, 2001 |first=Rex |last=Moore}}
  • Child World (also known as Children's Palace){{spaced ndash}} liquidated in 1992{{cite news |url=https://www.nytimes.com/1992/05/08/business/company-news-child-world-files-for-bankruptcy.html |title=Child World Files for Bankruptcy |newspaper=The New York Times |date=May 8, 1992 |first=Adam |last=Bryant}}
  • Circus World{{spaced ndash}}acquired by Melville in 1990 and converted to KB Toys{{cite news |url=https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-1990-07-05-fi-447-story.html |title=Melville Agrees to Buy Chain of Toy Stores |newspaper=Los Angeles Times |date=July 5, 1990 |author=}}{{cite news |url=https://www.nytimes.com/1990/07/04/business/company-news-melville-acquires-toy-store-chain.html |title=Melville Acquires Toy Store Chain |newspaper=The New York Times |date=July 4, 1990 |author=}}
  • Disney Store {{spaced ndash}} The Disney Store closed by the end of January 19, 2022 as the retail moves to Target stores.{{Cite web|title=Saying Goodbye to The Disney Store.|date=August 23, 2021 |url=https://disneyinsideblog.wordpress.com/2021/08/23/saying-goodbye-to-the-disney-store/}}
  • F.A.O. Schwarz{{spaced ndash}} sold to Toys 'R Us after bankruptcy in 2009; all stores closed except original NYC flagship store, which closed in 2015.{{cite news |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2015/05/16/nyregion/f-a-o-schwarz-to-close-its-doors-on-fifth-avenue.html |title=F. A. O. Schwarz to Close Its Doors on Fifth Avenue |newspaper=The New York Times |date=May 15, 2015 |first=Charles V. |last=Bagli}} The chain was bought out by ThreeSixty group and opened two new locations in Rockefeller Center, and LaGuardia airport, with plans to open up to 30 more in the future.
  • KB Toys{{spaced ndash}} liquidated February 9, 2009, which closed all of the remaining stores;{{cite news |url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2008/12/18/AR2008121803417_pf.html |title=KB Toys gets approval for store liquidations |newspaper=The Washington Post |date=December 18, 2008 |first=Randall |last=Chase}} sold to Toys "R" Us and then to Strategic Marks, LLC; although it planned to reopen stores in 2019, this never happened due to a lack of funding.
  • Lionel Kiddie City{{spaced ndash}} founded in 1957 by Leonard Wasserman; liquidated in 1993{{cite news |url=https://www.nytimes.com/1993/06/03/business/company-news-lionel-will-liquidate-closing-kiddie-city-toy-chain.html |title=Lionel Will Liquidate, Closing Kiddie City Toy Chain |newspaper=The New York Times |date=June 3, 1993 |author= |url-access=subscription}}{{cite news |url=http://articles.philly.com/1993-06-02/business/25973260_1_kiddie-city-lionel-toy-retailer |title=Lionel Going Out Of Business The Parent Of Kiddie City Stores Had Been In Bankruptcy Two Years. It Faced Tough Competition |newspaper=The Philadelphia Inquirer |date=June 2, 1993 |first=Susan |last=Warner |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130927035801/http://articles.philly.com/1993-06-02/business/25973260_1_kiddie-city-lionel-toy-retailer |archive-date=2013-09-27}}{{cite news |url=https://www.nytimes.com/1991/06/15/business/lionel-seeks-chapter-11-protection.html |title=Lionel Seeks Chapter 11 Protection |newspaper=The New York Times |date=June 15, 1991 |first=Anthony |last=Ramirez |url-access=subscription}}{{cite news |url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?nid=2206&dat=19820225&id=aIskAAAAIBAJ&pg=2091,1021851 |title=Lionel's chugs toward Chapter 11 bankruptcy was no fun |newspaper=Miami News |date=February 25, 1982 |page=11A |author= |via=Google News}}{{dead link|date=September 2024}}{{cite news |url=http://articles.philly.com/1991-06-15/business/25787915_1_current-distressed-retail-environment-extremely-tight-credit-conditions-lionel-leisure |title=The Parent Of Kiddie City Files Chapter 11 Petition |newspaper=The Philadelphia Inquirer |date=June 15, 1991 |first=Barbara |last=Demick |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130927040143/http://articles.philly.com/1991-06-15/business/25787915_1_current-distressed-retail-environment-extremely-tight-credit-conditions-lionel-leisure |archive-date=2013-09-27}}{{cite news |title=Lionel Switches From Trains to Retail Stores |newspaper=Los Angeles Times |date=November 19, 1969 |page=B18 |last=Wood |first=Robert E. |id={{ProQuest|156291651}}}}
  • Lionel Playworld{{spaced ndash}} liquidated in 1993
  • Noodle Kidoodle{{spaced ndash}} acquired in 2000 by Zany Brainy and rebranded{{cite news |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2000/04/25/business/american-histories-chasing-dreams-nightmares-zany-brainy-buying-noodle-kidoodle.html |title=Chasing Dreams And Nightmares; Zany Brainy Buying Noodle Kidoodle, Rival Toy Chain |newspaper=The New York Times |date=April 25, 2000 |author=}}
  • Toys "R" Us{{spaced ndash}} liquidated most stores in 2018; still active in Canada and other countries. The company was bought and reformed by its lenders as a brand owned by TRU Kids. On November 27, 2019, Toys "R" Us re-entered the American market with a retail store at Westfield Garden State Plaza in Paramus, New Jersey. On December 7, 2019, a second location was opened at The Galleria in Houston, Texas. Both stores were permanently closed in early 2021. A new stand alone location was later opened in the American Dream Mall in New Jersey. On August 19, 2021, Macy's bought Toys "R" Us and announced they will be opening store-within-a-store locations in 400 Macy's locations.
  • Warner Bros. Studio Store{{spaced ndash}} stores closed in 2001{{cite news |url=https://www.orlandosentinel.com/2001/02/03/warner-signs-off-on-studio-stores/ |title=Warner Signs Off On Studio Stores |newspaper=Orlando Sentinel |date=February 3, 2001 |first=Todd |last=Pack}}
  • Zany Brainy{{spaced ndash}} liquidated in 2003 after parent company filed for bankruptcy{{cite news |url=https://www.chicagotribune.com/2003/12/03/fao-schwarz-owner-to-again-enter-chapter-11/ |title=FAO Schwarz owner to again enter Chapter 11 |newspaper=Chicago Tribune |date=December 3, 2003 |author=}}

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Video games and personal computing software

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Warehouse clubs and membership department stores

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  • E.J. Korvette{{spaced ndash}} gradually liquidated by 1981 after declaring bankruptcy{{cite news |url=https://www.nytimes.com/1981/09/10/business/business-people-accountant-named-to-head-korvettes.html |title=Accountant Named To Head Korvettes |newspaper=The New York Times |date=September 10, 1981 |first=Leonard |last=Sloane |quote=The last of the money-losing Korvettes discount stores was closed Dec. 24, 1980.}}
  • Fedco
  • GEM{{spaced ndash}} initially called Government Employees Mutual Stores, and later Government Employees Mart before settling on G. E. M. Membership Department Stores, a profit-making company that was aimed at the governmental employees market; first store was opened in Denver in 1956;{{cite news |title=New Discount Setup For Government Help Is Opened in Denver |newspaper=Women's Wear Daily |date=June 12, 1956 |page=16 |volume=92 |issue=114 |author= |quote=G.E.M., Government Employees Mutual, Denver's first large discount house, carrying both hard and soft lines opened here at 5200 Smith Road. Shopping at the new firm will be restricted to city, county, State and Federal employees and military personnel. |id={{ProQuest|1565279631}}}} after several expansions, the company filed for bankruptcy in 1974{{cite news |title=7 Stores Of G.E.M. To Close: 1 in Richmond Also Included In Decision |newspaper=The Washington Post |date=January 15, 1974 |page=D7 |first=Claudia |last=Levy |quote=The parent Parkview-Gem, Inc., of Kansas City, Mo., is being reorganized under a section of the Bankruptcy Act. The nationwide discount chain has incurred loses for several years, and has closed 35 stores during the past year. |id={{ProQuest|146251088}}}}
  • Gemco{{spaced ndash}} acquired by Lucky Stores in 1961;{{cite news |title=Supermarket, Department Store to 'Wed' |newspaper=Los Angeles Times |date=December 29, 1960 |page=B10 |author= |id={{ProQuest|167806820}}}} closed in 1986 and the vacant buildings sold to Target;{{cite news |url=https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-1986-10-10-fi-5075-story.html |title=Lucky to Close Gemco, Sell Most Stores to Dayton Hudson |newspaper=Los Angeles Times |date=October 10, 1986 |first=Denise |last=Gellene}} known as Memco in the Chicago and Washington, D.C. metropolitan areas
  • Pace Membership Warehouse{{spaced ndash}} founded in Denver in 1983 and quickly expanded to the East Coast;{{cite news |title=Warehouse chain to open 8 PACE outlets in region |newspaper=Baltimore Sun |date=February 1, 1985 |page=9B |last=Uzelac |first=Ellen |quote=PACE opened its first warehouse in Denver in 1983 and added five others in Atlanta, Denver, Charlotte, N.C., and Tampa and St. Petersburg, Fla., last fall. |id={{ProQuest|533457248}}}}{{cite news |title=PACE's Growth Strategies |magazine=Discount Merchandiser |date=January 1985 |page=72 |volume=25 |issue=1 |author= |quote=PACE Membership Warehouse (Denver, Colorado) opened its first warehouse club in the summer of 1983, and by the end of last year, 6 PACE units had opened. |id={{ProQuest|212703217}}}} acquired by Kmart in 1989;{{cite news |url=https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-1989-10-17-fi-97-story.html |title=K mart to Pay $322 Million for Pace Warehouse Inc. |newspaper=Los Angeles Times |date=October 17, 1989 |author=}}{{cite news |url=https://www.nytimes.com/1989/10/17/business/company-news-k-mart-to-purchase-pace-warehouse-clubs.html |title=K Mart to Purchase Pace Warehouse Clubs |newspaper=The New York Times |date=October 17, 1989 |first=Isadore |last=Barmash}} later sold to Sam's Club in 1993 and rebranded{{cite news |url=https://www.deseret.com/1993/11/3/19074536/wal-mart-stores-unit-to-buy-91-pace-warehouse-locations/ |title=Wal-mart Stores Unit to Buy 91 Pace Warehouse Locations |newspaper=Deseret News |date=November 3, 1993 |author=}}{{cite news |url=https://www.nytimes.com/1993/11/03/business/company-news-wal-mart-stores-to-buy-pace-warehouse-clubs.html |title=Wal-Mart Stores to Buy PACE Warehouse Clubs |newspaper=The New York Times |date=November 3, 1993 |first=Stephanie |last=Strom}}
  • Price Club{{spaced ndash}} merged with Costco in 1993 and rebranded{{cite news |url=https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-1993-06-17-mn-3921-story.html |title=Price Co., Costco Warehouse Stores to Merge |newspaper=Los Angeles Times |date=June 17, 1993 |first1=George |last1=White |first2=Chris |last2=Kraul |name-list-style=amp}}{{cite news |url=https://www.nytimes.com/1993/06/17/business/costco-set-to-merge-with-price.html |title=Costco Set To Merge With Price |newspaper=The New York Times |date=June 17, 1993 |first=Adam |last=Bryant}}

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See also

{{portal|Companies|Lists|United States}}

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References

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{{DEFAULTSORT:Defunct retailers of the United States, List of}}

Retailers

Defunct