I’m so sad to see this store closed, I wasn’t a frequent shopper, but would always stop in when I was around that area. I really enjoyed it and sorry to see it close. Great prices!
I remember when one first opened around here - my youngest was probably a pre-teen or so. WAY too much stuff , which was WAY too distracting! It was too much overload for me. But I imagine there were fans and they will be disappointed.
It was a great place for young folks to get “stuff” like matching bags for prom, or cheap jewelry and bags. I guess it filled a niche but I wasn’t a frequent shopper there…and neither was my DD. So…we won’t miss it.
It reminded me of Claire’s, but for adult women, lol. My daughter loved it but we only went in there a few times.
Sad to see the continued death spiral of retail. A lot of jobs lost, and empty storefronts in the future.
Fortunately, a lot of retail is thriving. It required changes to the business model and a lot of agility, but there are many successful companies still. A lot of the jobs that many think have been lost have actually switched to the ecommerce side of the business. I work for a retail company and get a magazine called Stores (isn’t THAT on the top of everyone’s list for bedtime reading…) and I can tell you there is a lot going on in retail that is good.
Ecommerce is thriving. Jobs are created in warehousing, shipping, handling, delivery drivers. Those aren’t the largely female labor pool, often including elderly, teens, and displaced homemakers, which once worked in brick and mortar stores as clerks and cashiers.
Some of the retail that is doing really well includes Ulta, Home Depot, Dollar General, TJ Max, Sephora and Ross.
Some retail only died because their assets were stripped (like Sears). I hope brick and mortar retail thrives, and we can put a stop to unethical asset stripping.
Sears became irrelevant, too.
I don’t know if retails are dying or not. I read somewhere retail trend reflects the shrinking middle class. I thought it was an interesting point of view.
The Sears in my area never seemed to make an effort to even change with the times. It closed earlier this year and aside from now having no to order my trash compactor bags online I don’t miss it. The building is part of an outdoor mall but owned by a separate party. The locals are having a field day posting on the Nextdoor site as to what should become of the site. The owners have proposed over 500 apartments. The entire mall which is outdoors is pretty dead. There is nothing there to bring people in to just browse. I only go if I want something from William Sonoma or Pottery Barn. They are about the only stores still left. It’s sad as I have fond memories of shopping there with my kids when they were younger.
Our other mall is only doing slightly better. I think it’s a vicious cycle at least in my area as the stores have cut way back on the merchandise which makes it less appealing for the customers. If the customers don’t feel like they have inventory they go online.
The only store that seems to draw people is Ross. I’m not even sure why as it isn’t a great Ross. As @MomofWildChild mentioned Ulta usually has a small line. Home Depot has a line but it’s also one of the few hardware type stores we have left.
It does sadden me as I like to shop. I don’t like having to drive 45 minutes or 90 minutes to find a variety of shops with inventory. I don’t even live in the middle of nowhere.