So, you remember the good old days of Five & Dime stores, right? Those magical places where we could find just about anything, from candy to clothing and everything in between. Ah, the memories!
Remember McCrory’s? Founded in 1882, this chain of Five & Dime stores had it all. From their humble beginnings with just five stores, they grew to a whopping 1,300 stores at their peak! Sadly, by 2002, all the remaining stores closed their doors for good. But hey, we’ll always have those sweet memories of browsing through their endless aisles, right?
And how about WT Grants? They were a favorite shopping destination for thrifty folks with over 1,000 stores and their famous Bradford House restaurants. Despite their best efforts to adapt to changing shopping habits, all WT Grant stores closed their doors for good in 1976. But we can still remember the good times, right?
Sprouse-Reitz was another beloved Five & Dime store that brought joy to our lives. At their peak, there were 400 stores spread across 11 western states. Despite their efforts to reinvent themselves, they closed their final 84 stores in 1993. But we can still picture ourselves walking through those aisles, picking out the perfect little treasure, can’t we?
And who could forget Woolworths? Their massive candy section and lunch counters made it a hot destination for shoppers and kids alike. Although they eventually evolved into more of a standard department store, we’ll always remember the excitement of walking into a Woolworths.
Then there was Ben Franklin’s, another popular Five & Dime store franchise with over 2,500 stores at its peak. Sam Walton of Walmart fame and Michael Dupey from Michaels craft stores both started as Ben Franklin’s franchise owners. Although the stores disappeared by the mid-1990s, the name lives on with a new company planning to bring it back to life.
Last but not least, who could forget GC Murphy’s, JJ Newberry’s, and S.H. Kress & Co.? These classic stores brought so much joy and excitement to our lives, and while they may be gone, the memories will live on forever.
Now, if you’re feeling extra nostalgic, why not check out this ‘MadlyOdd’ video about defunct Five & Dime stores from the past? It’ll take you right back to those cherished moments! And hey, share the video with friends because reminiscing together is always more fun!
