As we begin 2015, I'd like to take a moment to remember some retailers of years past.
I considered limiting this post to Atlanta-based retailers, but decided it would be more interesting to include national operators.Some of my local favorites were Oxford Books, Little Bucks, The Toy Store and Rich's. On the national chain level, stores like Zany Brainy, Lionel Playworld, Natural Wonders, Learningsmith, Incredible Universe, Just For Feet and Filene's Basement were favorites of mine.
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Zany Brainy had locations across Atlanta. I remember visiting their stores in Peachtree Corners, Sandy Springs, East Cobb and Kennesaw, among others.
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| Typical Just For Feet store In the 90s, Just For Feet was THE place for shoes. The Birmingham-based retailer had locations in all the right areas and stocked all the right brands and even had a basketball court and free popcorn! Oh yea, just like bagels, your thirteenth shoe was free! As a kid, it could not get any better! Just For Feet's metro Atlanta presence included locations in Alpharetta, Buckhead, Duluth and Dunwoody. I recall being fascinated with a Georgia Power store in the Sears wing on the lower level at Northlake Mall. If I recall, the store was kind of a mashup between The Sharper Image and what at&t has recently debuted with their "Store of the Future." One could try out new technology products and also be educated on new services and offerings.  Wal-Mart founder Sam Walton once said it was Phar-Mor he feared the most. Phar-Mor ceased to exist in 2002. |
Friends, commenters and contributors have mentioned retailers they miss. Among those often mentioned are Woolco, Zayre, Richway, Service Merchandise, Ellman's, PharMor, Treasure Island, Drug Emporium, Chapter 11* Bookstore, Davison's, Parisian, Media Play, Big B Drugs, Storehouse, dekor, Value City, Kiddie City, Home Depot EXPO Design Center, Colonial and on a personal note, Market One.
Service Merchandise was a popular catalog showrooms retailer carrying fine jewelry, toys, sporting goods, and electronics. The stores were large and are similar in some respects to the Walmarts of today. Service Merchandise had a number of metro locations including sites in Tucker, Alpharetta, Smyrna, Duluth and Cheshire Bridge Road.
I'd love to hear from locals or transplants on what store you most miss or what store you foresee not making it through 2015.
Please share your thoughts below.