14 Department Stores We Grew Up With That No Longer Exist
Take a nostalgic trip down memory lane as we revisit 14 beloved department stores that once defined shopping in America—only to vanish, leaving behind fond memories and empty storefronts.
- Alyana Aguja
- 4 min read
Department stores were the epicenter of American shopping, with everything from clothing to household items under one roof. From iconic chains such as Sears and Woolworth’s to regional favorites such as Hecht’s and Hills, these stores defined generations of shopping experiences before falling victim to financial woes, mergers, and shifting consumer trends. While their doors are closed, memories of crowded aisles, holiday window displays, and Saturday shopping excursions with family remain.
1. Sears
Image from Wikipedia
The former king of American retail, Sears’ iconic catalog offered everything from apparel to tools to full-size prefab houses. The store was the first stop for families, particularly on holidays when the Wish Book was delivered. Decades of poor management and the shift to e-commerce brought about its gradual decline, with all but a few of its stores now closed.
2. Montgomery Ward
Image from Ghosts of Retailers’ past Wiki - Fandom
Founded in 1872, Montgomery Ward pioneered the mail-order catalog, bringing retail to rural America. It later expanded into physical department stores, competing with Sears for decades. However, financial troubles and changing shopping habits led to its closure in 2001.
3. JCPenney (Declining, Not Fully Gone Yet)
Image from AP News
JCPenney used to be a mall staple, selling everything from clothes to household items at discounted prices. Although some stores remain, the company has had its fair share of bankruptcies and store closures. JCPenney as a national giant is a thing of the past.
4. Mervyn’s
Image from Malls and Retail Wiki - Fandom
Mervyn’s was a West Coast favorite, with cheap fashion and fabulous sales. It served middle-class families with a combination of casual and business clothes. Private equity companies acquired and poorly managed it before it was liquidated in 2008.
5. Zayre
Image from Wikipedia
Zayre was a discount department store chain that succeeded between the 1950s and 1980s. It was subsequently incorporated into TJX Companies, which became focused on T.J. Maxx and other brands. By the late 1980s, the Zayre name no longer appeared in storefronts.
6. Ames
Image from Wikipedia
Ames began as a discount department store in the 1980s and expanded very quickly. The chain expanded too quickly, buying out competitors such as Hills and Zayre, and eventually found itself in financial ruin. It closed permanently in 2002, leaving numerous small-town consumers without their primary retailer.
7. Hills
Image from Wikipedia
Famous for its toy department and snack bar with the finest popcorn in town, Hills was a family favorite. It focused on bargain shopping before being acquired by Ames in the late 1990s. Following Ames’ failure, Hills stores vanished, too.
8. Woolworth’s
Image from Britannica
One of the first five-and-dime stores, Woolworth’s grew into a giant department store chain in the 20th century. It was renowned for its lunch counters, where sit-ins were central to the Civil Rights Movement. As discount stores and shopping malls became dominant, Woolworth’s declined in the 1990s.
9. Marshall Field’s
Image from Malls and Retail Wiki - Fandom
Marshall Field’s was a Chicago institution famous for its upscale shopping experience and legendary Frango Mints. It was bought by Macy’s in 2005, and many long-time customers never forgave the name change. The loss of the brand was the end of an era for Midwestern retail.
10. Jordan Marsh
Image from Boston.com
One of New England’s top department stores, Jordan Marsh had a legendary bakery that produced its famous blueberry muffins. It was gobbled up by Macy’s in the 1990s, closing more than a century of retailing. Bostonians still nostalgically remember its over-the-top holiday window displays.
11. Gimbels
Image from The US Sun
Gimbels was once one of the largest department stores in the U.S., notoriously battling Macy’s in New York. It was so popular that it was involved in Miracle on 34th Street. It closed in 1987 after financial difficulties, ending a legendary retail battle.
12. Hecht’s
Image from Wikipedia
A dominant force in the Mid-Atlantic area, Hecht’s enjoyed a loyal clientele in Washington, D.C., and Baltimore. In 2006, it joined the Macy’s fold, disappointing long-time patrons. Its beautiful department stores, a place of pilgrimage, are now only memories.
13. May Company
Image from Wikipedia
With locations all over the country, May Company was a household name in department store shopping. In the early 2000s, it consolidated with Federated Department Stores and eventually got lost in Macy’s. Like many other regional staples, its loss marked the dawn of retail consolidation.
14. Bon-Ton
Image from Forbes
A staple in smaller towns and mid-sized cities, Bon-Ton was one of the last major department store chains to go under. It battled debt and shifting shopper behaviors before shuttering all its stores in 2018. Many customers lamented the disappearance of its customer service and locally curated offerings.