20 Department Stores We Will Never Shop at Again
A nostalgic dive into department stores we'll never shop at again, where aisles once bustling with life now echo with memories of glittering window displays, epic sales, and family traditions lost to time.
- Alyana Aguja
- 5 min read
Department stores, once at the center of shopping culture, with everything from fashion to appliances housed beneath one roof and cherished traditions created by holiday displays and catalog wish lists, suffered the same fate as so many retail giants–changing tastes, e-commerce, and shifts in the economic tide. Here are 20 beloved department stores that shaped generations before they faded into history.
1. Sears
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Once upon a time, Sears was America’s one-stop shop for appliances, tools, and back-to-school wardrobes. The Sears catalog has long become a family tradition, used as a Christmas wish list. The once-thriving logo at Sears now clings to life in barely surviving locations.
2. JCPenney
Windows for Noobies2 from Wikimedia Commons
JCPenney thrived on its fat catalogs, affordable fashions, and home goods. For many families, Black Friday shopping trips here were a rite of passage. Sadly, the ascent of e-commerce left their aisles eerily empty, and their stock dwindled like its customer base.
3. Mervyn’s
BrokenSphere from Wikimedia Commons
“Open, Open, Open!” Ring any bells? Mervyn’s sold mid-priced fashion and was an anchor tenant in many malls throughout California. The chain filed for bankruptcy in 2008 and closed up shop, leaving a hole for those whose childhood shopping memories included its significant sales.
4. Montgomery Ward (Wards)
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For over a century, “Monkey Wards” was synonymous with quality and convenience, offering everything from clothes to farm equipment. It pioneered the mail-order catalog, shaping how America shopped. But after 129 years, Wards closed its doors for good in 2001.
5. Bon-Ton
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A regional darling in the Midwest and Northeast, Bon-Ton was beloved for its family-friendly atmosphere and semi-annual coupon extravaganzas. It could not keep up with competitors or online giants, shuttering stores by 2018. Its name still lingers in some online operations, but the magic is gone.
6. Hudson’s
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A Detroit icon, Hudson’s flagship store was once the tallest department store in the world. Shopping here wasn’t just a chore—it was an event, complete with window displays and cafeteria lunches. Demolished in the 1990s, its legacy lives on in local nostalgia.
7. Hecht’s
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D.C. and Maryland locals fondly remember Hecht’s for its elegant fashion and glittering perfume counters. In 2006, it merged with Macy’s, disappearing into the shadow of the larger retailer. For many, this marked the end of a more personal shopping experience.
8. Marshall Field’s
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Nothing said “Chicago” like a trip to Marshall Fields on State Street, especially during the holidays. The store’s iconic green clocks and Walnut Room restaurant were legendary. Its transformation into Macy’s in 2006 left many Midwesterners feeling betrayed.
9. Kaufmann’s
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Pittsburgh’s “Big Store,” Kaufmann’s, was a time portal with a clock that served as a downtown meeting spot. Macy’s acquired it, and the unique local flavor was swallowed up in corporate uniformity. Generations of shoppers still miss the warm, homey feel.
10. Gimbels
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Gimbels was so iconic it got a starring role in Miracle on 34th Street. A fierce rival to Macy’s, it was the department store of choice for budget-conscious New Yorkers. By the 1980s, the company folded, leaving only memories of its glitzy heyday.
11. Zayre
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Zayre combined low prices with a department-store feel, catering to thrifty families. Its slogan, “You’ll find it at Zayre!” echoed across commercials in the 70s and 80s. When it was sold to Ames in 1988, it marked the end of an era.
12. Hess’s
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Hess’s was not just a department store; it was a show. They were famous for their over-the-top fashion shows, and their strawberry pie was legendary–a real treasure on the East Coast. Bankruptcy took it in the mid-1990s; only fuzzy memories remain of high-fashion panache.
13. Elder-Beerman
Dan Keck from Wikimedia Commons
Elder-Beerman was the Midwestern shopper’s favorite place for value without accepting compromises on quality. Its racks for clearances and neighborhood events united locals in the community. Sadly, it was gone in 2018, taking its hometown warmth with it.
14. Gottschalks
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This West Coast chain felt like a smaller, friendlier Macy’s. Gottschalks’ cozy stores and reliable sales served generations of shoppers until it closed in 2009. Today, its absence is felt in suburban malls that now sit half-empty.
15. Woolworths
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Woolworths was the ultimate five-and-dime, offering everything from candy to Christmas ornaments. Shopping there wasn’t just about purchases—it was a sensory experience, with bustling lunch counters and shiny aisles. Its demise in the late 1990s marked the end of a simpler shopping era.
16. Higbee’s
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Higbee lives on in A Christmas Story with its fantasy holiday windows. Clevelanders loved the upscale environment and service. But by the 1990s, its glory days had passed, leaving only an empty shell of what once was.
17. Service Merchandise
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Half showroom, half warehouse, Service Merchandise was an innovator in catalog shopping. Reaching up to pull items down off conveyor belts was futuristic at the time. But by the early 2000s, e-commerce had rendered its edge obsolete.
18. Rich’s
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A Southern institution, Rich’s was touted as high-end, but its hallowed halls would be scant without the fabled Pink Pig train during the holidays. In the 2000s, it merged into Macy’s, leaving behind a storied legacy. Atlantans speak of it today like an old friend who moved away.
19. Foley’s
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Texans flocked to Foley’s for chic styles and must-have gifts. The chain was absorbed by Macy’s in 2006, erasing its unique regional flair. For longtime customers, shopping hasn’t been the same since.
20. Filene’s
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Filene’s was Boston’s pride, particularly its Basement, a bargain hunter’s paradise. Shoppers loved the “Running of the Brides” sales, where designer gowns were scooped up at a fraction of the price. Absorbed by Macy’s in 2006, its unique New England charm disappeared forever.