11 once-beloved regional stores that you can no longer visit

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11 once-beloved regional stores that you can no longer visit
Filene's Basement.JPG

Meredith Davenport/Reuters

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People stormed Filene's Basement during its annual bridal gown sale.

  • There are many regional stores that were once beloved by locals and special to the communities where they were established.
  • Sadly, a lot of them have been acquired by national giants or disappeared completely over the decades.
  • These retailers disappeared for a number of reasons, including the financial crisis and declining foot traffic to malls.
  • Check out these once-popular regional stores that now can be revisited only in memory.
  • Visit Business Insider's homepage for more stories.

A number of regional stores that people once loved have disappeared over the years.

Before and during the 2008 financial crisis, a lot of once-successful regional chains, many of which were family-run, started to see their businesses suffer. Many of them eventually collapsed or were merged into national chains.

Their falls could be attributed to a number of factors, including the tanking economy, fierce competition from national giants, and stores' inability to adapt to customers' changing needs.

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Here's a list of now-disappeared regional stores that shoppers once loved:

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Once a Los Angeles fixture, mid-price department store Mervyn's boomed in the West. However, the chain struggled to build an identity among competitors like Ross and Kohl's, and it eventually shuttered its remaining 149 stores in 2008.

Once a Los Angeles fixture, mid-price department store Mervyn's boomed in the West. However, the chain struggled to build an identity among competitors like Ross and Kohl's, and it eventually shuttered its remaining 149 stores in 2008.

Source: Associated Press, Los Angeles Times

Jacobson's, a beloved high-end chain that operated in Michigan and neighboring states for more than a century and a half, struggled as other upscale department stores like Nordstrom expanded to its core markets. The brand closed all its stores by 2011.

Jacobson's, a beloved high-end chain that operated in Michigan and neighboring states for more than a century and a half, struggled as other upscale department stores like Nordstrom expanded to its core markets. The brand closed all its stores by 2011.

Source: Good Housekeeping, Funding Universe

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Offering shoppers bargains and quick delivery, Seaman Furniture was the largest furniture retailer in the Northeast for years. The store was merged into Levitz Furniture in 2000 and eventually liquidated in 2008.

Offering shoppers bargains and quick delivery, Seaman Furniture was the largest furniture retailer in the Northeast for years. The store was merged into Levitz Furniture in 2000 and eventually liquidated in 2008.

Source: The New York Times, The New York Times, Funding Universe

Marsh Supermarkets once had the hearts of Ohioans and Hoosiers. Facing declining revenues and lots of competition, the 88-year-old company filed for bankruptcy in 2017 and closed all its stores that same year.

Marsh Supermarkets once had the hearts of Ohioans and Hoosiers. Facing declining revenues and lots of competition, the 88-year-old company filed for bankruptcy in 2017 and closed all its stores that same year.

Source: Chicago Tribune, Indianapolis Business Journal

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The story of Marshall Field's is indispensable to the story of Chicago. The chain's former flagship store on State Street was once the largest in the world. After passing hands among several owners, the chain was acquired by Macy's and rebranded in 2006.

The story of Marshall Field's is indispensable to the story of Chicago. The chain's former flagship store on State Street was once the largest in the world. After passing hands among several owners, the chain was acquired by Macy's and rebranded in 2006.

Source: Chicago Tribune

Kaufmann's was another legendary regional department store that was eventually acquired by Macy's. After the 2006 merger, many Kaufmann's stores, including the original flagship store in Pittsburgh, closed. That store remains a landmark.

Kaufmann's was another legendary regional department store that was eventually acquired by Macy's. After the 2006 merger, many Kaufmann's stores, including the original flagship store in Pittsburgh, closed. That store remains a landmark.

Source: Belt magazine, Good Housekeeping

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Founded by a Baltimore family, Hecht's had a strong run in the mid-Atlantic and southern regions. After failing to find its place among national competitors, the chain was purchased by Macy's in 2005. All its locations were converted into Macy's stores or closed for good.

Founded by a Baltimore family, Hecht's had a strong run in the mid-Atlantic and southern regions. After failing to find its place among national competitors, the chain was purchased by Macy's in 2005. All its locations were converted into Macy's stores or closed for good.

Source: The Baltimore Sun

The New York family-run chain Waldbaum's had a rich, 115-year history in the Northeast. A&P purchased the business in 1986. The story of both stores ended when A&P filed for bankruptcy in 2015.

The New York family-run chain Waldbaum's had a rich, 115-year history in the Northeast. A&P purchased the business in 1986. The story of both stores ended when A&P filed for bankruptcy in 2015.

Source: The New York Times, Supermarket News

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Grand Union was, at one time, among the top grocery stores in the Northeast. It was acquired by C&S Wholesale Grocers in 2001. Eleven years later, the chain was sold to Tops Friendly Markets, which converted all the remaining locations.

Grand Union was, at one time, among the top grocery stores in the Northeast. It was acquired by C&S Wholesale Grocers in 2001. Eleven years later, the chain was sold to Tops Friendly Markets, which converted all the remaining locations.

Source: The Hartfort Courant, Times Union

Before Whole Foods, Genuardi's was the go-to place for healthy groceries in the Northeast. The chain was purchased by Safeway and disappeared entirely by 2015 after facing sales declines.

Before Whole Foods, Genuardi's was the go-to place for healthy groceries in the Northeast. The chain was purchased by Safeway and disappeared entirely by 2015 after facing sales declines.

Source: Philadelphia Magazine, Philadelphia Business Journal

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Started in Boston, Filene's Basement was located mostly on the East Coast. Its annual "Running of the Brides" sale was once a frenzied event. The chain filed for bankruptcy in 2011. Four years later, it relaunched as an online-only business.

Started in Boston, Filene's Basement was located mostly on the East Coast. Its annual "Running of the Brides" sale was once a frenzied event. The chain filed for bankruptcy in 2011. Four years later, it relaunched as an online-only business.

Source: NBC News, The Washington Post

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