Unfortunately, some of the greatest American brands that once thrived are disappearing from certain states, leaving behind empty stores & fond memories. Sometimes this is due to financial woes and changing consumer habits—either way, these familiar names have faded away. Here are twelve states where iconic American brands are vanishing, along with the stories behind their closures. Let’s hope that they’re able to turn things around once and for all!
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Maryland – Mars Super Markets
Mars Super Markets was a family-run grocery chain in Maryland that began in 1943 and it had locations mainly around Baltimore. It was known for friendly service & quality products but that wasn’t enough to stave off stiff competition from larger grocery chains. In 2016, Mars closed all its stores and forced loyal customers to find new places to shop for their groceries.
Illinois – Carson’s
Carson’s, also known as Carson Pirie Scott, was a department store chain founded in Chicago in 1854 and it operated numerous stores across Illinois. The stores sold all manner of things, including clothing, accessories & home goods—but in 2018, the store’s parent company declared bankruptcy. All Carson’s stores were closed and the shutdown ended over 160 years of Illinois’s retail history.
Texas – Luby’s Cafeteria
Most Texans remember Luby’s Cafeteria, a state favorite since 1947 that became famous for its comfort food served cafeteria-style—generations of Texans enjoyed meals there with family & friends! But like many other stores on this list, the pandemic created financial pressures which forced the company to liquidate its assets. It nearly closed all its locations before it was eventually saved, although it was quite a close call!
Wisconsin – Shopko
In Wisconsin, Shopko was the place to go for everything you needed, whether that was clothes or home goods, and the store was founded in Green Bay in 1962. It served many small towns with limited shopping options—until the owners filed for bankruptcy in 2019. All Shopko stores closed down and this left local communities without a nearby department store, with many residents missing their convenient one-stop shop.
Minnesota – Herberger’s
Herberger’s was a beloved department store that started in Osakis, Minnesota, back in 1927—for decades, it sold clothing, accessories & home items to residents across the state. But in 2018, the parent company went bankrupt and this led to the closure of all Herberger’s locations. The shutdown marked the end of a 90-year tradition that left many Minnesotans without their favorite store.
Nebraska – Gordmans
Gordmans was well-known for affordable fashion and home décor soon after it was established in 1915, with the store later expanding throughout the Midwest. Sadly, financial troubles led to bankruptcy filings in 2017 & again in 2020 and as a result, all Gordmans stores in Nebraska closed their doors. It left a big hole in the shopping catalog and many locals miss this once-long-standing discount retailer.
Hawaii – Love’s Bakery
Love’s Bakery had been a Hawaiian staple since 1851 and it became famous for its fresh bread & baked goods, which it supplied to stores statewide. Visiting the store was a daily part of life for many residents until 2021, when the store had to deal with financial difficulties worsened by the pandemic. Love’s Bakery then ceased operations and its closure meant the end of nearly 170 years of baking tradition in Hawaii.
California – Fry’s Electronics
Fry’s Electronics was based in San Jose since 1985 and it was the perfect place for all things tech, thanks to its aisles full of gadgets & electronics. Many Californians loved visiting and that’s why it was such a shame that Fry’s announced in 2021 that all its stores would be closing due to changes in the retail industry. Customers were forced to look elsewhere to get a similar experience—yet nothing would quite replace Fry’s.
New York – Lord & Taylor
Lord & Taylor was founded in 1826 and was one of New York’s oldest department stores—its flagship store on Fifth Avenue was a landmark. But years of declining sales and financial struggles led to Lord & Taylor closing all its stores in 2020, which marked the end of this nearly 200-year-old retailer. It was a huge loss for the city’s retail history and America as a whole.
Kansas – Payless ShoeSource
Payless ShoeSource, founded in Topeka in 1956, offered affordable footwear to Kansans and people nationwide but despite its popularity, the company had mounting debts to deal with. It eventually filed for bankruptcy in 2017 and 2019, which led to the retailer closing all U.S. stores, including those in Kansas. Anyone who wanted good shoes on a budget would have to go online only—but for how much longer?
Rhode Island – Benny’s
Benny’s was a family-owned chain in Rhode Island that operated for 93 years, starting in 1924. The store sold everything from hardware to toys until 2017 when the owners decided to retire and close all 31 locations. The closure ended a beloved local business and to this day, many Rhode Islanders still reminisce about their memories of shopping at Benny’s.
Pennsylvania – Bon-Ton Stores
Bon-Ton Stores was headquartered in York, Pennsylvania, and it had operated several department store brands since 1898, serving communities with a variety of products like clothing & home items. Sadly, financial troubles led to bankruptcy in 2018 and all stores in Pennsylvania were closed. It was a loss that affected many small towns because Bon-Ton was once a primary shopping destination for residents there.
Disclaimer: This list is solely the author’s opinion based on research and publicly available information.
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