For many millennials and Gen Xers, the mall kept a lot of our childhood and teenage memories alive. Going to the mall used to be a core memory for kids from 1981 to 1996. During the 1990s and 2000s, malls remained strong until they became an integral part of our experience. Today, we’re bringing you the 9 stores that you’d often run to once you receive a little money from your parents or from your summer jobs.
9. Gadzooks
Gadzooks was one of the go-to stores for teens and tweens, embracing a Y2K skater style. Yes, they sold baggy jeans from JNCO and grunge flannel that we would always pick as our school outfits. But in 2003, they eliminated their inventory for boys to focus on female customers aged 16-22. It wasn’t the best move, as the chain eventually filed for bankruptcy in 2004.
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8. Blockbuster Video
Remember when we lived in a time when we had to visit a physical store to watch a movie? Yup, Friday nights were dedicated to Blockbuster, where you could rent movies and video games. We’d always browse the shelves of new releases and would sometimes forget to return them on time, resulting in late fees. There’s one last surviving Blockbuster in Bend, Oregon, but it has become essentially a tourist attraction at this point.
7. Discovery Store / The Nature Company
If you loved science as a kid, then you probably loved the Discovery store and The Nature Company. It features wooden shelves stuffed with scientific toys, a telescope, and books. Your parents appreciated the educational angle their products offered, so they’ll gladly let you pick up something.
6. Contempo Casuals
Fashionistas of the 1990s found baby tees, slip dresses, and bucket hats at this popular clothing chain. It features the mall-loving characters from the ’90s iconic film “Clueless.” Wet Seal eventually purchased the store in 1995 and converted the Contempo Casuals stores into Arden B. in the early 2000s.
5. Payless ShoeSource
Payless was the spot your mom would take you to get affordable shoes. Whether you need one to match your dress for school photos or sneakers for gym class, you will always find it at Payless. There’s always the thrill of finding something cute in your size versus the pair that your mom will pick out for you.
4. Sam Goody
Remember how you and your friends would run to Sam Goody to get the latest Backstreet Boys or 98 Degrees album? For all things music, Sam Goody was the place to get them. During the ’90s, their music section was one of the places where teenagers and music fans gathered. It’s nice to look back when you’re in an era of digital streaming, which made albums useless.
3. Borders
Part of our entertainment during an era without phones was reading physical books. Borders is the place that carries the titles we want to read. Eventually, it became part of the Borders-Walden Group, with Waldenbooks stores turning into Borders Express locations during the early 2000s. But Borders eventually began liquidation in 2011.
2. KB Toys
KB started out as a wholesale candy business, but the Kaufmans inadvertently entered the toy retail business. They accidentally purchased a toy wholesale business and found that toys were much more profitable than sweets. By 1973, they shifted their focus from wholesaling to retail, and in the ’90s, they were the king of the game. They became staples in U.S. malls, with more than 1,300 stores across the country. Sadly, they declared bankruptcy twice before closing in 2009.
1. Limited Too
Limited Too can be easily spotted in the mall from a mile away due to its neon and hot pink colors. It’s a store where preteen kids used to enjoy. Their products feature sparkly sequined clothing and glittery accessories. You’ll also get to buy some platform flip-flops, butterfly clips, and choker necklaces. They eventually rebranded as Justice stores.
