16 Brands from the Past You Didn't Know Still Exist (Or Don’t)
These 16 brands from the past may be forgotten, but some are still around—and others disappeared for good.
- Sophia Zapanta
- 6 min read
Some brands from the past seem like distant memories, but a few are still quietly hanging on. Others completely vanished, leaving behind nostalgia and a few eBay listings. Here’s a look at 16 brands you probably assumed were gone—but are they really?
1. Blockbuster – Sort of Alive
Coasterlover1994 on Wikimedia Commons
Once the king of movie rentals, Blockbuster was crushed by streaming. Almost every store closed, but one lone location remains in Bend, Oregon. It survives as a nostalgic tourist attraction, selling merch and renting DVDs like it’s 2005. Blockbuster still technically exists under Dish Network, but don’t expect a full comeback.
2. RadioShack – Alive, But Struggling
Michael Rivera on Wikimedia Commons
RadioShack used to be the place for gadgets, cables, and DIY tech projects. After multiple bankruptcies, the brand was sold off and now operates mostly online. A few independent stores exist, but they’re a shadow of what RadioShack once was. If you need random electronic parts, though, their website still delivers.
3. Tower Records – Alive (Online)
Caldorwards4
Once a mecca for music lovers, Tower Records shut down its U.S. stores in 2006, but surprise—it’s back as an online store, selling vinyl, CDs, and merch. It even opened a physical location in Japan, where it never fully disappeared. It’s not the same as browsing endless aisles of CDs, but at least the brand still lives.
4. Borders – Completely Gone
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Borders was Barnes & Noble’s biggest competitor until Amazon crushed both of them. It closed its doors in 2011, selling its locations and customer lists. Unlike some brands that get revived, Borders never made a comeback. If you see a Borders sign today, it’s either a relic or an old building that never got updated.
5. KB Toys – Gone (Again)
Mario Baronchelli on Wikimedia Commons
This toy store was a mall staple, competing with Toys “R” Us before disappearing in 2009. A company tried to revive it in 2018, but the plan fizzled out. Now, it only exists in the memories of ‘90s kids who spent their allowances there. If you want old KB Toys nostalgia, eBay is your best bet.
6. Pan Am – Gone, But Iconic
Guido Allieri on Wikimedia Commons
Pan Am was once the airline known for its luxurious flights and stylish stewardesses. It went bankrupt in 1991, but the name still appears on merchandise and pop culture. A few failed attempts were made to revive it, but none lasted. Today, Pan Am is more of a retro aesthetic than an actual airline.
7. Woolworth’s – Alive (In Other Countries)
Markus Koljonen on Wikimedia Commons
Woolworth’s was once a giant five-and-dime store that shut down in the U.S. in 1997. However, Woolworth’s still exists in places like the UK, Australia, and South Africa—though they’re different companies. In the U.S., its remnants evolved into Foot Locker. So technically, when you buy sneakers, you’re shopping at a Woolworth’s descendant.
8. Compaq – Merged Into HP
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Compaq was a major player in personal computers before getting swallowed up by HP in 2002. For years, HP kept the brand alive for budget laptops, but eventually, they phased it out. Today, Compaq is just a memory of clunky beige desktops. But if you see an old Compaq logo, know that it once helped shape modern computing.
9. Toys “R” Us – Coming Back
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Toys “R” Us shut down its U.S. stores in 2018, breaking the hearts of kids and nostalgic adults. However, it’s slowly making a comeback, with stores inside select Macy’s locations. It also operates in Canada and other countries where it never fully left. The Toys “R” Us revival isn’t huge yet, but Geoffrey the Giraffe refuses to quit.
10. Myspace – Technically Still Around
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Myspace was the social media king before Facebook took over. While it still exists as a music-focused site, almost no one uses it. Your old embarrassing Myspace profile might still be lurking somewhere, though. If you’re feeling nostalgic, you can log in—just don’t expect Tom to be waiting.
11. Pontiac – Dead, But Beloved
General Motors Company on Wikimedia Commons
Pontiac was known for iconic cars like the Firebird and GTO, but General Motors shut it down in 2010. Unlike some car brands that get revived, Pontiac hasn’t come back—though enthusiasts still love it. Used Pontiacs still roam the streets, keeping the brand alive in spirit. But as far as GM is concerned, Pontiac is gone for good.
12. BlackBerry – Still Exists, Barely
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BlackBerry dominated the early 2000s with its iconic keyboard phones. Although it lost the smartphone war to Apple and Android, the company still exists and focuses on security software. Occasionally, a new BlackBerry-branded phone pops up, but it’s never a big hit. For most people, BlackBerry is just a relic of the texting era.
13. Circuit City – Online Only
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Circuit City was once a major electronics retailer but collapsed in 2009. The brand was later revived as an online-only store, though it’s not nearly as well-known. Unlike Best Buy, which adapted, Circuit City couldn’t keep up. If you miss it, you can still visit their website—but it won’t feel the same.
14. Polaroid – Alive, Thanks to Nostalgia
PLR IP Holdings, LLC. on Wikimedia Commons
Polaroid cameras were once cutting-edge before digital photography took over. The company went bankrupt but later revived itself by leaning into nostalgia. Today, you can buy new Polaroid cameras and film, proving that retro is still cool. It’s a rare example of an old brand successfully reinventing itself.
15. Yahoo! – Still Alive, Somehow
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Yahoo! was once a giant in search engines, news, and email before Google took over. It’s still around, offering news, fantasy sports, and email (if you still use Yahoo! Mail). Despite multiple ownership changes, it refuses to die. It’s not the internet powerhouse it once was, but it’s still kicking.
16. Sears – Dying, But Not Dead Yet
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Sears was once America’s go-to department store, but years of mismanagement led to its downfall. Most locations are gone, but a handful still operate. It’s a slow, painful death, with Sears hanging on by a thread. At this point, it feels like a zombie brand that just won’t quit.