Originally Posted By nemopoppins My Gemco was brighter than the Target that replaced it. That was fun--you needed a card ($1 membership) to get in. I remember getting in by walking close to families with a card. When I grew up one of the first things I did was get my own card. And then they closed!
Originally Posted By jdub >>My Gemco was brighter than the Target that replaced it.<< Hmm, maybe it's not the store that was dim, but rather my memory! >>...you needed a card ($1 membership) to get in. ...When I grew up one of the first things I did was get my own card. And then they closed!<< Same story here! VERY short "Lifetime Membership!"
Originally Posted By SingleParkPassholder "The Mervyn's in our area is always busy. I had heard it was one of their top grossing stores. I go all the time. I hope it doesn't close. Are ALL suppose to close?" Yes, the entire chain is going out of business.
Originally Posted By SingleParkPassholder "then those two better savor it now because Porsches, Audis and Cadillacs, as well as other makes are sitting on the lots collecting dust these days" They're not all that worried. The Hondas, Nissans, Toyotas, et al are hanging in there for them.
Originally Posted By SingleParkPassholder Yeah, I can remember going to White Front on Hawthorne Boulevard in Torrance with my grandmother back in the early 60's. Later, she did her grocery shopping at Gemco, too. When we moved to Chicago, the big discounter was a store called Zayre's. I used to buy many 45 singles there for $.77. I remember buying the Beatles "Get Back" as a single with "Don't Let Me Down" as the B side, and then thinking the B side really was horrible. I was 12, what did I know?
Originally Posted By SingleParkPassholder <a href="http://www.latimes.com/wireless/avantgo/la-fi-mervyns18-2008oct18,0,278417.story" target="_blank">http://www.latimes.com/wireles...17.story</a> Linens and Things and Shoe Pavilion are also going out of business, which should make Sport Goofy happy.
Originally Posted By mawnck >>and then thinking the B side really was horrible. I was 12, what did I know?<< Sounds like you had good sense to me, to realize that not even the Beatles bat a thousand. That B-side being a case in point. ;-)
Originally Posted By barboy My place is packed to the gills with Bombay Co. and EXPO so I'm glad that I fully stocked up before they vanished. I sure do miss Bombay--- damn cool store! I predict that EXPO, brought to us by Home Depot, won't last if this nasty downturn goes 2+ years.
Originally Posted By Sport Goofy << Linens and Things and Shoe Pavilion are also going out of business, which should make Sport Goofy happy. >> I'm not happy about any of this. It does, however, confirm the suspicions that I've held for many years about all of this retailing that has been barfed up all over suburbia -- there never was a need for all of that retailing capacity. Prudent city councils would have limited some of the development in their municipalities to avoid the blight that is coming to the suburbs with empty storefronts. Pro-real estate/pro-developer city councils have been one of the major culprits in creating a residential and commercial real estate bubble that was completely unnecessary. They were chasing after tax dollars without giving any thought to the long-term consequences of unsustainable growth. If the credit crunch worsens for consumers, expect more stores to close their doors. The only way these retailers ever survived was on the expansion of credit to ridiculous levels. You also forgot Sharper Image on your list of bankrupt retailers.
Originally Posted By nemopoppins It could always go the other way, "Once there were parking lots, now it's a peaceful oasis ...this was a Mervyns, now it's all covered with daisies ...I miss the honky tonks, Gemco and Sharper Image." Maybe, with all the empty stores, rent would be real cheap. Because of the low startup costs there will be opportunities for new independent businesses. There would be vast resources to shelter the homeless. Schools could upgrade their facilities without having to go into debt. CD stores could come back. Real estate could be used for recreational purposes. And then as the spaces fill and the rents increase the new entrepreneurs will grow their businesses and the smaller independents will be pushed out and Mervyns will be back.
Originally Posted By Jim in Merced CA mervyns -- first, so sorry about those who lost their jobs. That sucks. But for me, I haven't bought a thing at mervyns for years. The last items I bought there was a good 4 years ago -- bathrobes for my 70 year old mother. We have a mervyns here in Merced -- and it just doesn't carry things that I would buy. And I concur with those who say Kohl's is the same type of store -- but a little better. My prediction is that our local department store chain Gottschalk's will be next to file for bankruptcy. Or at least start closing underperforming stores. I worked for May Company when it merged with Robinson's -- customers were very upset about the merge. That said, back in the heyday of department stores - our new mall opened in 1978 with The Broadway, Bullock's and May Company. How different was the selection in those stores? Not very. So, while it's easy to lament the disappearance of these stores -- the services became less and less, the merchandise more homogenized, and so now, we're left with Macy's.
Originally Posted By Dabob2 <<<Anybody remember Zody's? Johnny Carson once said they were like "K-mart without the warmth.">> And Gemco?> Oh wow, Gemco. Yeah, with the membership card. But what I really remember was the big Gemco gas station alongside (I don't think they all had them; this was Pomona, right by the entrance to the 10). It was the cheapest gas around, because it was the first pump-it-yourself station I can remember (mid 70's). It was actually a novelty at the time, and I thought it was pretty cool at 13 or 14 to do it.
Originally Posted By Inspector 57 <<It could always go the other way, "Once there were parking lots, now it's a peaceful oasis ...this was a Mervyns, now it's all covered with daisies ...I miss the honky tonks, Gemco and Sharper Image.">> You got it. You got it.
Originally Posted By poohbear14 Don't forget Fedco too! I liked Robinson's. Macy's doesn't do much for me. I wouldn't be surprised if office supply stores consolidate too. Office Max, Staples, Office Depot. Do we really need all 3?
Originally Posted By Inspector 57 <<You did too!>> It's one of my all-time favorite songs (and albums). It was a perfect (and prescient) citation on your part.
