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Shopping was a way of life in the ‘70s, whether it was at department stores, malls, or specialty shops. The brands you aligned with said everything; not so different than today. Want to take a trip down retail memory lane? Check out these 10 stores that you'll definitely remember shopping at in the 1970s.
While some JCPenney locations are closing nationwide, there’s a reason the store continues to be a destination for budget-conscious shoppers and has been around for over 100 years back when it was founded by James Cash Penney (yes, that was his real name). In the '70s it was all about living life from the JCPenney catalogue, so your memories of JCP may not even have taken place inside the store.
Multi-level Sears megastores were major, and you could buy just about anything you needed, from appliances to stuff for your house and your car (and in the '40s, you could even buy a whole house from a catalog). Sears was never more popular than it was in the '70s, but sadly today, the chain is down to eight remaining stores.
For a denim-based shop, County Seat was always full of people ready to spend. Though it was bustling in the '70s, particularly in malls, it’s gone today.
Your experience at Kmart in the ‘70s was defined by three little words: Blue Light Special. Though it was first invented in 1965, it was a household name in the '70s, and one of the biggest keys to Kmart's success. When those flashing lights started to do their thing, it was a mad dash to the area boasting the sale. And if you're a collector of genius marketing ploys? You can nab a special artifact, if the price is right.
Deals, deals, deals! Zayre was chaotic and full of bargain-hunting energy, not so different from the vibe of a Marshall’s or TJ Maxx today.
There are plenty of people (me) who say that Thrifty made some of the best ice cream on the planet. You can still find Thrifty ice cream in the freezer section of plenty of Rite Aid locations, and a few Rite Aids still have an ice cream counter serving the stuff — though as Rite Aid stores continue to close across the country, the fate of Thrifty counters is uncertain. But back in the day? You could always count on a perfect cone.
F.W. Woolworth’s was one of the original five-and-dime stores, and just as well-known for its lunch counter as it was for its shopping. I live near a revitalized Woolworth soda fountain, and even today in its phoniness, the place is a delight.
Revco tried to come for Thrifty’s crown, but it didn’t quite nail it. You would hit Revco in a pinch if you needed something simple. Snacks, film developing, and over-the-counter meds were just a quick trip away.
No matter what the part, if you needed anything even slightly within the realm of electronics, you knew exactly where to go. This place had 8,000 locations at one point. And now it’s gone. Can you believe that? That’s like an entire species going extinct.
A couple of brothers started Miller’s Outpost in the late ‘40s and by the ‘70s, the casual-wear shop had expanded to over 100 stores. The retailer’s “Anchor Blue” brand was so popular that it eventually just changed its name to Anchor Blue. In 2011, all Anchor Blue locations closed following the company's bankruptcy filing.
