Much like with media or popular culture, stores or chain businesses can represent a whole generation. However, many businesses go out of business as the world around them evolves away from needing them. For many of these chains on our list, online shopping was their downfall. But while most of these stores have lost their glory, contrary to popular belief, these chain locations haven’t disappeared entirely. As the famous Mark Twain quote goes, “The reports of my death are greatly exaggerated.”
#1: Kmart
Kmart was once one of the bustling stores you’d expect to find all over the country. It was where we often went back-to-school shopping when I was a kid and even dorm shopping in college — it was the only “big” store in my college town. But, unfortunately, Kmart declared bankruptcy in 2018 after failing to thrive in the online shopping market. There are only five brick-and-mortar locations left in Miami, Guam, and the US Virgin Islands.
