1. Limited Too
Limited Too was the cooler, older sister store to your childhood wardrobe, according to Ashley Fetters Maloy from The Washington Post. It was where you went for butterfly-printed everything, sequined tees, and the illusion of being a grown-up without actually growing up. The branding was bright, feminine, and very early-2000s—think Lizzie McGuire meets mall runway. And let’s not forget the graphic tees with phrases like “Drama Queen” and “Spoiled.”
This retail offshoot of The Limited launched in 1987 and found massive success through the ’90s and early 2000s. It eventually transitioned into Justice in 2009, shifting the style slightly to appeal to a newer generation. But Limited Too holds a special place in the hearts of millennial girls who remember shopping there before sleepovers and school dances. It made shopping feel like a VIP experience, complete with glitter lotion and low-rise jeans.
2. Toys “R” Us
There was nothing quite like walking through those massive sliding doors and being hit with the smell of new plastic and excitement. Toys “R” Us was the holy grail of childhood shopping trips, especially if you were lucky enough to snag a trip around your birthday or right before Christmas. Geoffrey the Giraffe felt like an actual celebrity, and those towering aisles packed with every toy imaginable made it feel like anything was possible. Whether you were into Hot Wheels, Polly Pocket, or Nintendo, this place had it all.
It wasn’t just about the toys—it was about the experience. The layout practically encouraged you to get lost in it, much to the chagrin of any parent in a hurry. The chain filed for bankruptcy in 2017 and closed most of its U.S. stores by 2018, breaking hearts across the country, according to Julia Horowitz from CNN. Though it’s been trying to make a small comeback, it’s still not quite the same.
3. KB Toys
If Toys “R” Us was the big show, KB Toys was the scrappy, compact alternative you’d find nestled in malls, according to Jay MacDonald from Moneywise. It was like a treasure chest jammed into a storefront, where toys felt more crammed-in than displayed—but that was part of the charm. You probably remember the walls stacked with action figures, random clearance bins, and shelves that somehow always seemed just out of reach. They specialized in impulse buys, and there was always a good chance of walking out with something unexpected.
KB Toys was founded in 1922 and eventually grew into a mall staple before it closed for good in 2009. The company suffered as online shopping took over and big-box stores dominated the toy market. Still, anyone who spent the ’90s or early 2000s in a mall likely has a few memories of darting in to check out the newest Power Rangers or Beanie Babies. It was chaotic in the best way.
4. The Disney Store
Walking into The Disney Store felt like entering a portal to the Magic Kingdom itself. From plush versions of your favorite characters to walls of VHS tapes with those bulky white cases, everything sparkled with Disney magic. Even if you couldn’t go to the theme parks, this place gave you a small slice of that fantasy. The employees were often just as cheerful as cast members at Disneyland.
The stores first opened in 1987 and hit their peak in the ’90s and early 2000s. At one point, there were over 700 locations globally, and kids would beg to go in—even if they didn’t plan on buying anything. Disney began pulling back its brick-and-mortar stores in recent years to focus on e-commerce. But that glassy storefront and the tinkling Disney music still live rent-free in many of our memories.
5. Claire’s
If you were a preteen in the ’90s or early 2000s, Claire’s was basically your fashion headquarters, according to Kaitlyn Frey from PEOPLE. Glittery hair clips, chokers, mood rings, and enough body glitter to blind a small army were all part of the aesthetic. It was also the place where a lot of kids got their ears pierced—usually on a whim and with a mall pretzel in hand. Everything in the store felt just edgy enough to make you feel cool but still parent-approved.
Founded in 1961, Claire’s became a fixture in malls everywhere and a rite of passage for many tweens. It managed to stay relevant by riding trends and keeping prices low, which was perfect for allowance budgets. Even when it filed for bankruptcy in 2018, the store bounced back and continued to serve up sparkle. Shopping there was chaotic, colorful, and undeniably formative.
6. Sam Goody
If you were obsessed with music before streaming took over, Sam Goody was your sanctuary. From CDs to posters, this store had everything a music lover could dream of—and plenty of pop culture merch too. Flipping through racks of albums and sampling tracks on those clunky headphones was all part of the ritual. The staff usually had cool opinions and obscure band recommendations that made you feel like an insider.
Sam Goody dates back to 1951 but really hit its stride in the ’80s and ’90s. At its peak, there were over 1,000 locations across the U.S. But competition from digital downloads and big-box stores eventually caused a steep decline, and most stores closed by the mid-2000s, according to Brijiena Lovelace from The US Sun. Still, it’s hard not to miss a store where you could buy a Nirvana CD, a Britney Spears poster, and a lava lamp in one trip.
7. Blockbuster
Even though it was technically a rental store, Blockbuster was still very much a part of the shopping experience—especially on Friday nights. The aisles were filled with new releases, forgotten B-movies, and candy you somehow convinced your parents to let you get. There was something thrilling about racing to grab the last copy of a popular title before someone else did. And the smell of that blue carpeted interior is weirdly unforgettable.
Founded in 1985, Blockbuster grew into a nationwide sensation with thousands of stores at its peak. Its decline came fast in the 2000s thanks to Netflix and on-demand services, with the final corporate-owned store closing in 2014. There’s one remaining franchise in Bend, Oregon, now serving as a nostalgia-fueled tourist stop. But for kids of the ’90s, Blockbuster was pure weekend joy.
8. FAO Schwarz
FAO Schwarz was the upscale toy store you probably saw in movies before you ever set foot in one. Best known for its New York City flagship location and that giant piano keyboard from Big, it was a wonderland of high-end toys and magical displays. Even if you didn’t buy anything, walking through the store felt like an event. It was like the Broadway version of a toy store.
Founded in 1862, FAO Schwarz became synonymous with luxury and imagination. While the original NYC location closed in 2015, it made a comeback in 2018 with a new store at Rockefeller Plaza. It never had as many locations as other chains, but its impact on kids’ imaginations was huge. If you were lucky enough to visit one, it was an experience you never forgot.
9. RadioShack
Before smartphones ruled the world, RadioShack was the go-to place for anything vaguely techy. Whether you needed a new pair of headphones, batteries for a Game Boy, or parts for a science project, RadioShack had your back. It was the kind of store where the employees actually knew stuff—and would talk to you like you knew stuff too. That felt pretty empowering as a kid.
RadioShack was founded in 1921 and became a major electronics retailer through the 20th century. It was especially popular during the boom of home computing and early gaming. By the 2010s, it was losing relevance fast and filed for bankruptcy in 2015. But for many, it was the first place they ever felt like a “techie.”
10. Waldenbooks
Before Amazon and e-readers, Waldenbooks was your cozy mall bookstore where you could spend hours flipping through pages. The store was smaller than a Barnes & Noble, but that just made it feel more personal and inviting. Whether you were into Goosebumps, The Babysitters Club, or Animorphs, it always had what you were looking for. And if you asked nicely, the clerk might even let you sit on the floor and read for a while.
Founded in 1933, Waldenbooks grew into one of the largest mall-based book chains in America. It was bought by Borders in the ’80s and eventually absorbed into that brand. When Borders filed for bankruptcy in 2011, it marked the end of Waldenbooks as well. Still, it was a magical place to discover your next favorite story.
11. Build-A-Bear Workshop
This store took the simple concept of a teddy bear and turned it into a full-blown interactive experience. You didn’t just buy a stuffed animal—you picked it, stuffed it, gave it a heart, and dressed it like a tiny superstar. It felt like a birthday party, even if it wasn’t your birthday. And yes, that little “birth certificate” your bear got at the end was everything.
Build-A-Bear was founded in 1997 and quickly exploded in popularity. It tapped into the growing desire for personalized experiences and turned it into big business. While many mall staples declined, Build-A-Bear has remained surprisingly resilient by adapting to trends and special releases. For countless kids, it was the first time shopping felt truly theirs.
12. Babbage’s
Gamers from the ’80s and ’90s might remember Babbage’s as the place to go for PC games and early console titles. Long before GameStop existed, Babbage’s was one of the few retail stores focused on video games. You could scan boxes of games you’d never heard of and get hyped reading the back covers. And if you were lucky, you might even catch a demo in progress.
Founded in 1984, Babbage’s later merged with other companies to eventually become what we now know as GameStop. But in its early days, it catered to serious gamers and tech-savvy kids. The atmosphere felt more niche and less corporate than modern gaming stores. It was low-key, but legendary for a certain crowd.
13. Discovery Channel Store
This was the store you begged to go into under the pretense of “learning,” but really just wanted to play with cool gadgets. From astronaut ice cream to mini telescopes and weird puzzles, the Discovery Channel Store made science feel fun and hands-on. You could lose yourself in a lava lamp display or mess around with robot kits that were way out of your budget. It was like a science fair and a toy store had a baby.
The first Discovery Channel Store opened in 1995, and at its peak there were over 100 locations. But by 2007, Discovery shut down all physical stores to focus on e-commerce and broadcasting. Still, it played a unique role in making curiosity feel like a superpower. It made learning feel cool, which is no small feat when you’re a kid.
