Post-Mortar: The Retail History Show

Founded by Herbert Fisher in 1961, Jamesway was one of the largest northeastern discounters in the United States. In the end, the beloved chain fell to Walmart and Ames -- but the story is a little deeper than that... Join us as we look into what killed Jamesway.

Child World, Inc. was the second-largest toy retailer in the United States for years, right behind Toys R Us. After nearly three decades of prosperity, poor management, outdated stores, and massive debt would kill the company. The retail slump of the late '80s and the 1990 Recession would also have a major effect on the toy market. Today, we take a look at what happened to Child World, Inc.

Music

"Branches" - DanoSongs (used with permission)

Backbay Lounge Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com)

Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 3.0

http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/3.0/

One of the most notable shopping centers, Crestwood Plaza was the first regional mall in St. Louis, Missouri. For travelers on Route 66, it was a country-wide attraction from its opening in the late 1950s, thru to the 1980s, when the dream began to fall apart. They took every step to keep their relevance, expanding the plaza multiple times, eventually even enclosing the strip into a mega mall, but to no avail. How did this landmark in retail history become no more than a dirt mound? Learn the history of Crestwood Plaza: The Ultra Mall That Had It All.

Special Thanks to Mark Zorensky

Crinoline Dreams Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com) Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 3.0 License http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/3.0/

On the Ground Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com) Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 3.0 License http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/3.0/

Ultralounge Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com) Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 3.0 License http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/3.0/

Growing up with the modern music industry, Sam Goody gave countless customers the pleasure of a good deal and a positive shopping experience. Over the years, the chain deviated from these initial values. What happened? That's what we take a look at today -- how a king among record stores, a gold standard of music retail, became a hollow, overpriced shell of its former self.

"A Night Alone" Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com) Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 3.0 License http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/3.0/

"George Street Shuffle" Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com) Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 3.0 License http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/3.0/

"Shades of Spring" Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com) Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 3.0 License http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/3.0/

Venture was a discount department store chain founded by Target co-creator John Geisse and May Co exec Dave Babcock. Borrowing heavily from his former chain, Geisse would start what would become one of the last regional discounters. Their bold black-and-white storefronts and iconic ad campaigns were once commonplace in the American Midwest. So, what happened? Learn about Venture's rapid rise and anti-climactic, yet equally rapid decline in this episode of Post-Mortar.

Watch the History of Caldor: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3Le-epjD8wo&t=457s

Music

"Branches" - DanoSongs (used with permission)

Hedge Your Bets Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com)

Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 3.0

http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/3.0/

Members Only Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com)

Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 3.0

http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/3.0/

A Night Alone Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com)

Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 3.0

http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/3.0/

Cover Charge Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com)

Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 3.0

http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/3.0/