Some places from our childhood days are indelibly etched into our soul. From stores selling clothing or renting movies to restaurants, there are some businesses that will always remind us of the past. Take a walk down memory lane as we reminisce about places we shopped at, and ate at, while growing up in South Carolina. Not all of them are out of business, but they’re still reminders of a different era. How many do you remember??
- Blockbuster Video
Flickr/trebomb Wow. Remember when staying home and watching a movie on date night meant you’d make a trip to this place first?
- Showbiz Pizza
Flickr/David Atkins Who could ever forget the signing stuffed band that came alive every 30 minutes and played one song? Or all the video games and pinball machines? Raise your hand if you miss Showbiz. ?️
- K&W Cafeteria
Google Maps/Landry Black True to their name, K&W always served up delicious home style food, dished out in classic cafeteria style. If you miss them in your hometown, then don’t fret. There are still three K&W’s remaining in South Carolina: two in Myrtle Beach, and one in Greenville.
- Tapp’s Department Store
Flickr/Boston Public Library The iconic department store in Columbia opened in 1903 and moved to this new location in 1940. Tapp’s closed their doors in 1995, and now this building has been remodeled and turned into living spaces.
- Piggly Wiggly Carolina Co.
Flickr/ Mike Kalasnik While Piggly Wigglys still dot the landscape in the Palmetto State, the Piggly Wiggly we grew up with has changed significantly. For starters, in the old days, most of the stores were company owned. Now, none are. They were either sold to another company that kept the Piggly Wiggly name, or they’re individually-owned locations. Either way, Piggly Wiggly is still a great store.
- Popeyes Famous Fried Chicken
Flickr/Travis This fast food staple is one that’s dearly missed in many communities. Popcorn chicken nevermore.
- Kids R Us
Flickr/Random Retail The former Kids R Us, a sister to the Toys R Us chain, featured children’s clothing. It shuttered in 2005. Toys R Us recently announced it will be closing (or selling) all of their stores nationwide.
- Woolworths
Flickr/ Adam Simmons For many communities in South Carolina, Woolworth’s was more than a department store, it was a leader — and the lunch counter was a meeting place. Long after most of the stores had closed, the Woolworth’s brand and image was purchased by a company that turned the franchise into an online-only store in 2009.
- The Limited
Flickr/ Phillip Pessar Speaking of former brick and mortar stores that converted to online business: The Limited joined the club recently and shuttered many stores (but not all) in favor of online biz.
- Gander Mountain
Flickr/ Too soon? Yeah… this one broke a lot of hearts, and since it only happened last year, we’re going to ask for a few moments of silence, and then move on.
- Circuit City
Flickr/Alex Weimer 2009 was a banner year for America, and for Circuit City it was the year this retail giant closed more retail operations than any other retailer in the country.
How many of these do you remember? If you truly want to feel like a kid again: A Trip To This Epic Chocolate Milk Factory In South Carolina Will Make You Feel Like A Kid Again.
Flickr/trebomb
Wow. Remember when staying home and watching a movie on date night meant you’d make a trip to this place first?
Flickr/David Atkins
Who could ever forget the signing stuffed band that came alive every 30 minutes and played one song? Or all the video games and pinball machines? Raise your hand if you miss Showbiz. ?️
Google Maps/Landry Black
True to their name, K&W always served up delicious home style food, dished out in classic cafeteria style. If you miss them in your hometown, then don’t fret. There are still three K&W’s remaining in South Carolina: two in Myrtle Beach, and one in Greenville.
Flickr/Boston Public Library
The iconic department store in Columbia opened in 1903 and moved to this new location in 1940. Tapp’s closed their doors in 1995, and now this building has been remodeled and turned into living spaces.
Flickr/ Mike Kalasnik
While Piggly Wigglys still dot the landscape in the Palmetto State, the Piggly Wiggly we grew up with has changed significantly. For starters, in the old days, most of the stores were company owned. Now, none are. They were either sold to another company that kept the Piggly Wiggly name, or they’re individually-owned locations. Either way, Piggly Wiggly is still a great store.
Flickr/Travis
This fast food staple is one that’s dearly missed in many communities. Popcorn chicken nevermore.
Flickr/Random Retail
The former Kids R Us, a sister to the Toys R Us chain, featured children’s clothing. It shuttered in 2005. Toys R Us recently announced it will be closing (or selling) all of their stores nationwide.
Flickr/ Adam Simmons
For many communities in South Carolina, Woolworth’s was more than a department store, it was a leader — and the lunch counter was a meeting place. Long after most of the stores had closed, the Woolworth’s brand and image was purchased by a company that turned the franchise into an online-only store in 2009.
Flickr/ Phillip Pessar
Speaking of former brick and mortar stores that converted to online business: The Limited joined the club recently and shuttered many stores (but not all) in favor of online biz.
Flickr/
Too soon? Yeah… this one broke a lot of hearts, and since it only happened last year, we’re going to ask for a few moments of silence, and then move on.
Flickr/Alex Weimer
2009 was a banner year for America, and for Circuit City it was the year this retail giant closed more retail operations than any other retailer in the country.
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