UPDATE: May 15, 2017- Radio Shack will close its two remaining Chattanooga area stores (Red Bank and Fort Oglethorpe) at the end of May.
Radio Shack in Red Bank, TN on May 15, 2017
Original story from January 24, 2017:
Do these names mean anything to you? Zayre. Miller Brothers. Loveman’s. Proffitt’s. Hill’s. G.C. Murphy’s. Gibson’s.
To those of us who have been around a few years, those names bring back fond memories of the department stores of our youth. Some were downtown, others were on busy thoroughfares, and the rest were in malls.
If what I’m reading is true, the names K-Mart, Sears, JC Penney, and Macy’s may be added to that list soon. Many of these stores have already closed several locations, and they’re never coming back. Last week, Macy’s announced it will soon shut down 68 stores. Sears followed the next day, adding 150 stores to the closing list. Sure, they still have 1300 stores up and running, but the trend is obvious. Adding insult to injury, Sears merged with K-Mart a few years ago, which only seemed to weaken both retailers.
It’s not uncommon to see abandoned or half-empty malls where customers were once plentiful. Are these malls going the way of the dime store, the telegraph, and the rotary phone?
Considering how quickly the Internet has taken over America, it’s a wonder we have as many “brick and mortar” stores as we do. The current fears of terrorism and gang violence are keeping many Americans out of public shopping areas. People who traditionally jammed the mall the day after Thanksgiving now begin their Christmas shopping online, whenever they wish.
Certainly, there are still plenty of folks who enjoy the sights and sounds of the mall. We love the Easter Bunny, a chance to put our screaming baby on Santa’s lap, and free samples at the Food Court. It’s a great place to walk, and as any bored husband will tell you, the people-watching isn’t that bad while waiting for the wife to finish shopping.
But Amazon and other online retailers are making a strong argument that malls are an endangered species. You want to buy something when you can’t sleep in the wee hours? You can do it in your pajamas with the click of a mouse. The stores don’t keep your size in stock? Those odd 34-31 pants are all over the web (believe me, I know this). What’s that? You don’t like to pay shipping charges? “Buy just one more item, and we’ll ship for free!” Everywhere you surf, there’s an offer you can’t refuse. Plus, there are no traffic jams, no long lines, and every counter is open.
Try as we might, it’s hard to find that kind of selection and service at your nearest department store. At this critical time, they’re forced to lay off workers. We want to do business with them, and we want them to succeed. But it’s hard to root for them when only one counter is open, and the clothing shelves look like they’ve been hit by a dust storm.
Those of us who grew up in rural areas eagerly anticipated our occasional visits to a big department store like Zayre. The one nearest me (32 miles away) was in downtown Chattanooga, in a complex then known as the Golden Gateway (now home to Blue Cross Blue Shield of Tennessee). Zayre had everything, or so it seemed. One trip, and your Christmas shopping was done. And just like that, Zayre went away.
Many of us also looked forward to the Sears catalog, every season of the year. Now every website offers an unlimited selection, and Sears is just one of thousands of retailers desperately seeking our attention. However Sears is burdened with big buildings to heat and cool, and increasingly indifferent customers. Give them credit: Sears was founded in 1886, and any business that survives 130-plus years has my respect. But the world sure is different today.
I’ve always been a proponent of shopping locally. Having grown up in a country store, I understand the need for hometown merchants who know your name, and can offer your personalized service. It’s good to see some area supermarkets, hardware stores and pharmacies thriving against incredible opposition. But how long can they last? At what point does a fifth-generation family business owner throw in the towel, no longer able to compete with big-store, out-of-town money?
You may have noticed one name I haven’t mentioned in this conversation about retailers: Walmart. They provide a lot of jobs, a huge selection, and some genuine bargains, but at what cost? How many locally owned retailers have struggled, and then failed, to compete with Walmart? And what happens if Walmart is the last store standing? When competition is diminished, prices go up, and the quality of service goes down.
Times change, and we have to adjust. But I’ll bet I’m not the only one who gets a little misty-eyed when I see yet another vacant old store.
I so agree with you. Sometimes I feel so sad when I drive down a familiar road and see another store closed and abandoned. I miss some of the older stores to be honest. The stores that prided themselves on knowing their customers and giving the best service and products available. I am happy we continue to progress but I do wonder sometimes at what price?
David I miss Miller Bros., Lovemans, and many other stores that was downtown Chattanooga. We always dressed up, suit and heels, oh and hat and gloves. My mom had a grocery store , she let people charge their groceries. When they paid their bill she would give them a sack full of penny candy. When she was little the man that had a store where her parents traded gave them candy. My mother lost money doing that………about Harry Thornton and Judy Corn slways watched them. Did he have someone else named Helen??? Always look forward to seeing you.
Pat Williams Bishop