Kmart might be a dead horse that needs to be put down, but the 80s and early 90s had a lot of department stores just like that on east coast NJ I grew up in and visited often.
I took some time to compile a list of the ones I do remember. Was very young at the time - notice how they all ended up. The coolest part about these stores were their logos and the framework that designed the places - seeing shingles along the front, we don't get that anymore. It was real old-school, and as late as 10 years ago I noticed some of the buildings are still standing with the signs still there; and vacant, very vacant. If you still have a Kmart in the area, that's what these places were like. Had a small-town charm while still being run like an MNC - meaning they all ran themselves to the ground just by making every dumb decision they could. But, I do miss them. Compared to what we have now, I would rather go back in time and keep what they offered.
And before we get into it: I never visited Crazy Eddie's, the most I got from that place was a yellow hat when my dad went. From what I gather, they were really big on handing out swag. Wasn't good quality, I dropped it in the kiddie pool and it was instantly ruined. Yeah I know, Eddie Antar was thrown in the clink on fraud. Dont care.
One thing, I can't remember the name of one store: They sold a budget store-brand called "Why Pay More?". Had a picture of an old cartoon grandmother on it. The puffed wheat was good, yo. Anyone remember it? Im thinking it could have been Laneco.
'90s for me, but they were really big in the 80's. Real easy to remember, this was the one other department store besides the K-Mart on the other of town in Pennsylvania. Every other store I remember there is either out of business or really close to being - Blockbuster, Kmart, A&P. We were caught shoplifting from A&P one time, the parents never found out because they were nice enough to release me to my friend's parents and never pressed charges. Im not even going to say what I stole, its embarrassing. The friend I was with, I found out recently he died years ago from a Heroin overdose. Which doesn't surprise me, he tried to kill himself once in high school - only lived because i tipped off his probation officer. But, what can you do? Darwinism does not play favoritism.
Anyway, about Ames. One time I didnt know better and this really scary pedo met me outside and bought me a drink at the place you sit down. Wanted to play with my feet for some reason - Fuck if I know, right?
Grampa had a big thing for Bradlees, last I remember. Got a backpack from there when Eastpak was a must-have for everyone - Managed to hold onto it during most of my teenage years. Didnt think I'd remember, did ya Grampa? ;)
Dont remember anything specific about them - We spent a considerable amount of time in these stores though. Started in the 50's, They went under in 1999 - And had a huge problem with Howard Stern for reasons still unknown. It wasn't typical of pro-religious groups with a philosophy running department stores back then. Their competitors came in and picked at the carcasses when they went under, and moved into their space. Like hermit crabs, I tell you!
This was my favorite one! They were EVERYWHERE, even in some small little shitbag town in Pennsylvania named Brodheadsville in the 90's. Dont know why I loved them, just did. I remember 10+ years ago I went driving past one of the old locations in NJ along one of the major highways. Near Lakewood I think. The place was still standing, old shopping carts were around and rusting, shrubs looked more tumbleweeds, and the Blue color was still on the front of the building. Shame this place closed, it took a very long time to finally have their stores completely decommissioned. Dad bought me a lot of toys here, I had a real thing for the real ghostbusters ;)
Probably the place mentioned above carrying the "Why Pay More" store brand. I dont remember much about them, but they had an ace up their sleeve you never see anymore: Their employees were unionized. They had a website up as late as 1999, company was gone and forgotten by 2001. Google has next to no idea who they were either - And yes, you can tell I grew up in a very poor family.
Honorable Mention:
Toys R Us - I can remember as early back as the mid-80s when they stocked GI Joe's, Atari, and we even bought Super Mario 3 for my birthday there. I know they're still around, but its not like it used to be - Last I heard is they were selling tramp stamps in vending machines and other ridiculous bullshit. There's an old vacant Toys R Us here in Socal that was vacant for 10 years at least - Full of graffiti (Not the good kind), vagrants, and trash. The city complained so much that they finally began renovating it into some concert hall this year. Passed by it a few times, looks pretty decent so far.
Honorable Mention:
K-B-Toys: What's not to miss if you were an 80's and 90's kid? The Push Pops, Army Ants and M.A.S.K. were all pioneered by this company - Rumor has it the cartoons were a gimmick to just sell toys! I was even honored with working for them in 2000, stayed until after Christmas then moved - This was exactly when the Dreamcast was priced down to 50$ a console and the Xbox-1 made its appearance. Great little company, the work was hell sometimes but I got to sleep around with this one chick who later became the store manager when I heard the store manager they had was fired for theft or fraud - cant remember which one, but I didn't think it was true. Too bad the company finally went under, this is one bad thing Walmart did - As if we needed another reason.
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