# Which Dead National Retail Chain Would You Magically Resurrect? **URL:** \ **Category:** Miscellaneous and Personal Stuff I Must Share\ **Created:** [March 22, 2025, 11:09pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/which-dead-national-retail-chain-would-you-magically-resurrect/1015965 "2025-03-22T23:09:44Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![LSLGuy](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/lslguy/32/5813_2.png) [@LSLGuy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/LSLGuy)\ **Post date:** [March 22, 2025, 11:09pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/which-dead-national-retail-chain-would-you-magically-resurrect/1015965/1 "2025-03-22T23:09:44Z")
The other day I was listening to the radio and the DJs were pattering about the impending bankruptcy & probably closure of the Forever 21 chain of mall-based stores selling fashions for 20-something mostly women. After the meat of that news, they started talking about other chains they had known and loved over their life that they’d like to see magically revived. It was silly nostalgia of course, but they had fun with it. One person wanted Blockbuster, another wanted Toys R Us. Then they started brainstorming and came up with quite a list. Probably all scripted, but that doesn’t matter for our purposes here. So: If you could revive a now-dead regional or national chain from any time in your life, what would it be _and why_? Note it doesn’t have to be retail; I suppose restaurants or even car lines qualify. But retail is what they were discussing, so I’d like to focus on that at least at first. The point is not that they’d be a business success here in 2025. The point is which ones you have some nostalgia for and why. “You know, it’d be cool to walk through a [whatever] again, just for old-times’ sake.” I’ll offer my thought(s) after a few folks have chipped in theirs. ---
**Author:** ![Dr.Strangelove](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dr.strangelove/32/6613_2.png) [@Dr.Strangelove](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dr.Strangelove)\ **Post date:** [March 22, 2025, 11:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/which-dead-national-retail-chain-would-you-magically-resurrect/1015965/2 "2025-03-22T23:19:28Z")
Fry’s Electronics. One of the most poorly run chains I’ve ever run into, and awful in a lot of ways–nevertheless, if I needed some piece of equipment _now_, whether a few resistors or some RAM sticks or some oscilloscope probes, I could get it there. Better than Radio Shack ever was, IMO. ---
**Author:** ![Si\_Amigo](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/si_amigo/32/2877_2.png) [@Si\_Amigo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Si_Amigo)\ **Post date:** [March 22, 2025, 11:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/which-dead-national-retail-chain-would-you-magically-resurrect/1015965/3 "2025-03-22T23:20:33Z")
I always enjoyed going to Sears and Radio Shack. It was nice to be able to go into a store and physically touch the things you were buying. Sad that Sears didn’t get into online sales effectivly considering they founded the mail order catalog style of selling things through the mail. I also miss Pondarosa Steakhouse and its buffet assortment along with cheap steak meals. It was a nice break from fast food. ---
**Author:** ![Ellecram](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/ellecram/32/18948_2.png) [@Ellecram](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ellecram)\ **Post date:** [March 22, 2025, 11:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/which-dead-national-retail-chain-would-you-magically-resurrect/1015965/4 "2025-03-22T23:22:25Z")
> [@Si\_Amigo](#): > > I also miss Pondarosa Steakhouse and its buffet assortment along with cheap steak meals. There is still a Ponderosa nearby where I live. ---
**Author:** ![Ellecram](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/ellecram/32/18948_2.png) [@Ellecram](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ellecram)\ **Post date:** [March 22, 2025, 11:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/which-dead-national-retail-chain-would-you-magically-resurrect/1015965/5 "2025-03-22T23:23:09Z")
> **[Joseph Horne Company](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Joseph_Horne_Company)** > > The Joseph Horne Company, often referred to simply as Joseph Horne's or Horne's, was an American department store chain based in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. The store was one of the oldest in the country being founded on February 22, 1849, but was often overlooked as it maintained only a regional presence. The chain ceased operations in 1994 after being merged with the Lazarus division of Federated Department Stores. > Joseph Horne (1826–1892) was born in Bedford County, Pennsylvania, the son of Joh... I loved this store. They had a couple locations in the Pittsburgh area and had an extensive, glorious candy section. I once bought 92 small chocolate coated Easter eggs there. My mother and her sisters did not want to do their candy shopping and sent me on a mission with a list which Horne’s promptly and successfully filled. Even though it was not a national store it was historical and a regional favorite for many years. ---
**Author:** ![Si\_Amigo](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/si_amigo/32/2877_2.png) [@Si\_Amigo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Si_Amigo)\ **Post date:** [March 22, 2025, 11:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/which-dead-national-retail-chain-would-you-magically-resurrect/1015965/6 "2025-03-22T23:24:01Z")
I know that there are a couple out there, but nothing near me. They used to be everywhere. Even small towns had them. ---
**Author:** ![SuntanLotion](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/suntanlotion/32/16165_2.png) [@SuntanLotion](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/SuntanLotion)\ **Post date:** [March 22, 2025, 11:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/which-dead-national-retail-chain-would-you-magically-resurrect/1015965/7 "2025-03-22T23:25:27Z")
Woolworths. I used to go there when young (11), get make up, a burger and a shake. ---
**Author:** ![Seanette](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/seanette/32/9139_2.png) [@Seanette](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Seanette)\ **Post date:** [March 22, 2025, 11:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/which-dead-national-retail-chain-would-you-magically-resurrect/1015965/8 "2025-03-22T23:26:40Z")
> [@Dr.Strangelove](#): > > Fry’s Electronics. One of the most poorly run chains I’ve ever run into, and awful in a lot of ways–nevertheless, if I needed some piece of equipment _now_, whether a few resistors or some RAM sticks or some oscilloscope probes, I could get it there. Better than Radio Shack ever was, IMO. My husband would second this, and I kinda miss the place myself. Great if I just needed a couple of unusual charger cables without having to wait for shipping, for example. ---
**Author:** ![Lancia](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/lancia/32/17174_2.png) [@Lancia](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Lancia)\ **Post date:** [March 22, 2025, 11:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/which-dead-national-retail-chain-would-you-magically-resurrect/1015965/9 "2025-03-22T23:30:26Z")
> [@Si\_Amigo](#): > > I always enjoyed going to Sears and Radio Shack. These are my choices as well. My first “real” job was working at a bookstore in a mall and on my breaks and lunches I would go drool over tools and stereos. ~30 years later I still have some of the Craftsman tools I bought at Sears with my bookstore pay. I think the soldering gun kit I have is a Radio Shack purchase. I also miss KMart as they had a well-stocked mens big & tall clothing section. I still have some Oxford shirts and a pair of pajamas I bough a KMart, well over a decade ago now. JoAnn Fabrics is in the process of closing and I already miss it. ---
**Author:** ![dorvann](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/df705f/32.png) [@dorvann](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/dorvann)\ **Post date:** [March 22, 2025, 11:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/which-dead-national-retail-chain-would-you-magically-resurrect/1015965/10 "2025-03-22T23:31:00Z")
Here are two links to help move this thread along: [[List of defunct retailers of the United States - Wikipedia](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_defunct_retailers_of_the_United_States)] [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List\_of\_defunct\_restaurants\_of\_the\_United\_States](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_defunct_restaurants_of_the_United_States) Not an actual store I have shopped in but I miss browsing through TigerDirect computer catalog Speaking of catalogs..I also miss browsing the Sears Christmas WishBook catalog. I also miss Borders and Waldenbooks. Blockbuster Video though I miss my local video store more because they had a more eclectic mix of VHS tapes. ---
**Author:** ![Ellecram](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/ellecram/32/18948_2.png) [@Ellecram](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ellecram)\ **Post date:** [March 22, 2025, 11:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/which-dead-national-retail-chain-would-you-magically-resurrect/1015965/11 "2025-03-22T23:31:16Z")
> [@Si\_Amigo](#): > > I know that there are a couple out there, but nothing near me. They used to be everywhere. Even small towns had them. I know. I feel lucky that we still have one. I miss how available they were in the past. ---
**Author:** ![Jaycat.again](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/jaycat.again/32/11525_2.png) [@Jaycat.again](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jaycat.again)\ **Post date:** [March 22, 2025, 11:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/which-dead-national-retail-chain-would-you-magically-resurrect/1015965/12 "2025-03-22T23:32:19Z")
Without a question, Tower Records. ---
**Author:** ![Wesley\_Clark](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/wesley_clark/32/20581_2.png) [@Wesley\_Clark](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Wesley_Clark)\ **Post date:** [March 22, 2025, 11:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/which-dead-national-retail-chain-would-you-magically-resurrect/1015965/13 "2025-03-22T23:34:06Z")
Ryan’s buffet. It was a superior buffet to Ponderosa and was one of the few places with a western food style buffet. ---
**Author:** ![susan](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/susan/32/17537_2.png) [@susan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/susan)\ **Post date:** [March 22, 2025, 11:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/which-dead-national-retail-chain-would-you-magically-resurrect/1015965/14 "2025-03-22T23:38:11Z")
Fry’s and Borders for sure. ---
**Author:** ![jnglmassiv](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/f07891/32.png) [@jnglmassiv](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/jnglmassiv)\ **Post date:** [March 22, 2025, 11:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/which-dead-national-retail-chain-would-you-magically-resurrect/1015965/15 "2025-03-22T23:42:37Z")
I guess I miss the Kmarts by reason of location convenience. There used to be some along my commute and it was easy to pop in to pick up some vacuum bags on the way home. Another close one had a really nice seasonal garden and live plants area sectioned off in the lot in the spring. That location is currently a Seafood City & Jollibee which I guess is better overall. > [@LSLGuy](#): > > another wanted Toys R Us There’s a newly opened one in a mall nearby. I visited during the Grand Opening festivities, it was a big yawn. Pretty small, no interesting products. ---
**Author:** ![jnglmassiv](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/f07891/32.png) [@jnglmassiv](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/jnglmassiv)\ **Post date:** [March 22, 2025, 11:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/which-dead-national-retail-chain-would-you-magically-resurrect/1015965/16 "2025-03-22T23:45:02Z")
> [@dorvann](#): > > Not an actual store I have shopped in but I miss browsing through TigerDirect computer catalog Ooh, good one and they DID have a store here in Chicago. It was across from the huge Microcenter. I bought about six PCs from them over the years, never a problem. I remember my utter disbelief a couple years ago that they just … stopped. Closed up the website. ---
**Author:** ![Baker](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/bb73d2/32.png) [@Baker](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Baker)\ **Post date:** [March 22, 2025, 11:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/which-dead-national-retail-chain-would-you-magically-resurrect/1015965/17 "2025-03-22T23:46:22Z")
You beat me to that one. Loved it especially when I was in high school and had cheap meals. ---
**Author:** ![aurora\_maire](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/aurora_maire/32/328_2.png) [@aurora\_maire](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/aurora_maire)\ **Post date:** [March 22, 2025, 11:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/which-dead-national-retail-chain-would-you-magically-resurrect/1015965/18 "2025-03-22T23:51:23Z")
Until several years ago, there were regional retail stores called FRED’S here in Memphis. I loved that place! There was one on the way home from work and I went in there a few times a week. The store wasn’t that large but they had a little bit of everything - pharmacy, food (but not frozen), small appliances, small furniture, rugs, clothes, toys, books, hardware, seasonal stuff. The perfect place to go when you needed to get something quick and easy. I do miss it. ---
**Author:** ![suranyi](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/e36b37/32.png) [@suranyi](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/suranyi)\ **Post date:** [March 22, 2025, 11:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/which-dead-national-retail-chain-would-you-magically-resurrect/1015965/19 "2025-03-22T23:58:05Z")
Borders. 100%. I used to spend a lot of time browsing in big box bookstores. They’re all gone, at least around here. ---
**Author:** ![silenus](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/silenus/32/166_2.png) [@silenus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/silenus)\ **Post date:** [March 23, 2025, 12:02am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/which-dead-national-retail-chain-would-you-magically-resurrect/1015965/20 "2025-03-23T00:02:18Z")
Souplantation. I really miss that soup/salad bar. [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/which-dead-national-retail-chain-would-you-magically-resurrect/1015965.md?page=2)