Back in the day, department stores were more than just occasional places to shop; they were a part of everyday life. From bargain hunting at Korvette’s to holiday shopping at Marshall Field’s, these stores shaped the way people shopped in the ‘60s, ‘70s, and beyond. Many of them have since disappeared, but the memories of strolling their aisles and snagging deals still live on.
1. How Many People Pushed the Envelope on the ‘Everything in This Store For Sale’ Sign at Korvette’s?
Korvette’s was a popular discount department store chain in the 1950s through the 1970s. Shoppers loved it for low prices on everything from clothes to appliances, and its record department was especially legendary. The chain officially closed its doors in the early 1980s, as other stores began overshadowing it.
2. The Straightforward Format of Bob’s Stores
Bob’s Stores was a New England–based department store chain that opened in 1954 in Middletown, Connecticut. Known for its mix of casual clothing, workwear, and footwear, it experienced decades of regional popularity. But the chain faced financial struggles and store closures, eventually disappearing in 2024 after declaring bankruptcy.
3. No Squinting Necessary To See the Store Hours at Arlan’s
Founded in the late 1940s and headquartered in Massachusetts, Arlan’s was a discount department store chain. By the 1960s and early ‘70s, it expanded across the country, but eventually overexpansion and stiff competition from rivals like Kmart and Woolco led to its decline. The company filed for bankruptcy in 1973.
4. A Full Lot at Stern’s
Stern’s was a department store chain founded in the 1860s and based in New Jersey. By the 1970s, it had become a familiar name in the New York and New Jersey shopping scene, offering fashion, housewares, and seasonal goods. The brand was eventually absorbed into Macy’s, with its last stores closing in 2001.
5. Woolco Walked so Walmart Could Run
Woolco was a discount department store chain launched by F.W. Woolworth in 1962 to compete with emerging big-box retailers. Throughout the 1960s and 1970s, Woolco stores offered a wide range of products, including clothing, housewares, toys, and electronics. The chain struggled against competitors like Kmart and Walmart, though, leading to the closure of its U.S. stores by 1983.
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6. Shopping at Woolco Had Something for Everyone
Whether you needed a new pair of slippers, were in the market for new pots and pans, or you needed to get the kids their Christmas presents, Woolco was the one-stop shop to get it all done.
7. There Was No Place Like Steve & Barry’s
Ahh, Steve & Barry’s. This discount clothing chain, which began in 1985 on a college campus in Pennsylvania and quickly expanded across the U.S., was known for selling jeans, hoodies, and licensed college apparel at ultra-low prices. It later gained attention with celebrity-backed lines, including Sarah Jessica Parker’s Bitten and Stephon Marbury’s Starbury sneakers (if you know you know). Despite its popularity, the company filed for bankruptcy in 2008, and all stores closed soon after.
8. Checking Out at Zayre
Zayre was a discount department store chain founded in 1956 in Massachusetts. It thrived through the 1960s and 1970s, offering affordable clothing, home goods, and toys. By the late 1980s, the stores were sold off to competitors, and the Zayre name faded away.
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9. The Rare In-Mall Entrance to Zayre
Plenty of department stores are attached to shopping malls and include an entrance that connects the store to the rest of the shopping center, but Zayre’s was a department store that most often stood alone. Still, the occasional mall in the 1970s included that unicorn Zayre’s store, and shoppers flocked to it.
10. The Iconic Montgomery Ward
Montgomery Ward, often called “Monkey Wards,” was one of America’s first mail-order catalog retailers, founded in 1872. By the 20th century, it had become a household name, with department stores across the country selling everything from furniture and appliances to clothing. After years of declining sales and stiff competition, Montgomery Ward closed its remaining stores in 2001, although it’s still slowly chugging along as an online retailer.
11. The Electronics Department at Ames
You could get lost in the electronics department at Ames, which had everything from cameras and TVs to radios and printer ink.
12. The Cars in Marshall Field’s Parking Lot Make This all the More Nostalgic
Marshall Field’s was a legendary Chicago-based department store, founded in the mid-1800s and known for its elegance, service, and iconic State Street flagship. By the 1970s, it remained a Midwest shopping institution, and was famous for traditions like its holiday window displays and Frango mints. The brand was eventually absorbed into Macy’s in 2006, ending more than a century of history under the Marshall Field’s name.
13. The Children’s Playroom at Marshall Field’s in Chicago
Take us back to 1926 when department stores were thoughtful enough to have super fun playrooms designed for kids to hang out while their parents shopped. These days, we could never.
14. So Gordmans Wasn’t a Fever Dream
This Midwestern department store chain was founded in Omaha, Nebraska, in 1915. Known for its off-price shopping model, it offered brand-name clothing, shoes, and home decor at discounted prices. After years of financial struggles, the chain filed for bankruptcy and closed its remaining stores in 2020.
15. Mervyn’s!
Mervyn’s was a California-based department store chain founded in 1949, best known for affordable clothing, home goods, and family-friendly deals. It grew rapidly during the 1970s and 1980s, expanding across the United States. After years of competition from big-box retailers, Mervyn’s filed for bankruptcy and closed its last stores in 2008.
Craving more nostalgia?
- 18 Photos of Old Country Stores From Simpler Times — From wood plank floors to signs hanging on every inch of the wall, old country stores explode with nostalgic charm.
- 21 Vintage Photos of 1970s Grocery Stores — Take a look at 21 nostalgic images of 1970s grocery stores that remind us of the good ol’ days — and cheaper prices.
- 12 Photos of 1960s Department Stores — Take a trip back to the stylish ’60s when department stores oozed charm, flair, and affordable luxury we just don’t see today.
