Previously, I wrote about businesses in Phoenix that have fallen on hard times or are currently going out of business. Today, I'd like to revisit some of Arizona's former businesses that have gone under in their own time.While not all of these businesses were Arizona based, many of them were well established here and were a familiar sight for locals. See how many of these names ring a bell:
ABCO Foods Desert Market
Spin-off division of Alpha Beta Co. supermarkets started in 1986
Shortened name to ABCO, then ABCO Desert Market
Chain grew to 56 stores by 2000, sold off to other companies by 2001
Known for prominent desert decor and variety of Southwestern foods
 |
| ABCO Foods Desert Market Photo by: Bangbay Siboliban |
Alpha Beta Supermarkets
Started in Pomona, CA in 1917
Expanded across the southwest, with 34 locations in Arizona
All Arizona stores were sold to ABCO in 1984, rebranded by 1989
 |
| The 293rd Alpha Beta
store celebrates its official grand opening on May 31, 1977 at 1845 North
Scottsdale Road with a ribbon cutting and free cookbooks. The
festivities surrounding this, the second AB store in Tempe and the 13th
in Arizona, will culiminate in two weeks with drawings for one ton of
bananas, a year's supply of coffee and a year's supply of groceries. Photo: Jan Young/Tempe Daily News, Tempe History Museum Collection |
America West Airlines
Founded in 1981, grew to 133 aircraft by 2006
Purchased and renamed US Airways in 2007
Hometown commercial airline
 |
| America West Airlines model airplane on display at the Arizona Historical Society Museum. Photo by: North Phoenix Blog |
Citibank
Grew to 59 branches in AZ by 1993 when purchased by Norwest Bank
Norwest Bank merged with Wells Fargo in 1998
Was the 4th largest banking company in Arizona in 1988
CompUSA
Founded in 1984 in Texas, Had 5 Arizona locations
Closed 126 stores in 2007
Big box computer and electronics retailer
Craftmart
Grew to 4 Phoenix area stores by 2005
Owners Chuck and April Umbarger retired and closed all 4 stores in 2005
Locally admired craft and hobby supply store
Dimension CableWas the valley's largest cable provider from the 1970's to the 1990's
Was the largest cable system in the country by 1991
Parent company Times Mirror merged with Cox Communications in 1994
Provided cable television services to Phoenix area
Drug Emporium
Founded in 1977, grew to 235 stores nationwide by 1994
Closed 9 AZ locations in 1998 due to Chapter 11 bankruptcy
First major chain of "deep discount" drug stores
Fazoli's
Founded in 1989, expanded to 300 locations in 30 states by 1997
Closed all 8 Arizona restaurants in September 2008
Fast-casual Italian dining was initially an explosive franchise
First Interstate Bank of Arizona
Founded in 1877 in Prescott
Grew to 158 branches in 13 states by 1995
Purchased by Wells Fargo in 1996
Was Arizona's oldest bank
Goldwater's
Established in 1973, had 7 Arizona locations (9 total)
Stores sold to JW Robinson's, later renamed Robinson's-May, later renamed Macy's
Phoenix-based department store chain founded by Senator Goldwater's grandfather
Incredible Universe
Founded in 1992, had 1 Arizona location in Tempe
Sold to Fry's Electronics in 1996
Themed electronics retailer operated a massive 185,000 sq ft store
Krispy Kreme
Founded in 1937, grew to 310 stores by 2006 (including 8 in AZ)
All 8 AZ stores closed abruptly due to bankruptcy in 2006
Famous for hot glazed donuts, one AZ store reopened in 2008
Miller's Outpost
Founded in 1947 as Miller's Surplus, later renamed to Miller's Outpost
Renamed to Anchor Blue in 2000, now have 17 AZ stores
Famous for small stores, stylish clothes, and low prices
Phoenix Gazette
Newspaper started in 1881
The biggest rival to the Arizona Republic for decades
Merged with the Republic in 1995, stopped altogether in 1997
Pic-N-Save
Started in 1950 by William Zimmerman as Freight Outlet, changed to Pic-N-Save in 1960
Came to Arizona in mid-1970s, grew to 87 stores by 1983
Became MacFrugal's in 1992, renamed Big! Lots in 2001
Sold discount and closeout goods for other manufacturers
Pistol Pete's Pizza
Founded in Phoenix in 1981, grew to 30 locations by 1995
Acquired by hometown rival Peter Piper Pizza in 1995
Featured a large dining room with games and animatronic entertainment show for kids
Price Club
Founded in 1976 by Sol Price, grew to 35 stores by 1987 including 4 in AZ
Purchased by Costco in 1993
One of the original membership-based warehouse stores
Service Merchandise
Founded in 1934 by Harry Zimmerman, grew to 300 stores in 33 states
Opened Glendale and Mesa showrooms in 1984; filed Chapter 11 bankruptcy in 1999
Catalog-based retail outlet that sold jewelry and electronics in large showrooms
Smith's Food and Drug
Purchased 28 Smitty's Supermarkets in 1996 from Los Angeles-based Yucapia
Smith's merged with Fred Meyer in 1997, Arizona stores rebranded Fry's or Fry's Marketplace
Fred Meyer acquired by Kroger in 1999
Smitty's Big Town/Marketplace
Founded in 1964 by Clyde Smith
Grew to 18 Arizona locations, 28 total by 1999
Purchased by Smith's in 1996
Grocery store that also sold a wide variety of non-grocery products
 |
| Smitty's - 5100 South McClintock Drive, Tempe, Arizona. 7/6/1979 Photo: Tempe History Museum Collection |
Thrifty Drug
Founded in 1919, renamed Thrifty in 1935, grew to 238 stores by 1964
Bought by Pacific Lighting in 1986, sold again to Leonard Green and Partners in 1992
All 18 Arizona stores sold or closed by 1993
Chain of discount drug stores with soda fountains, still produces Thrifty Ice Cream
 |
| Opening of New Thrifty Drug Store, located at Broadway Plaza on Mill and Broadway. 1971 Photo: Jan Young/Tempe Daily News. Tempe History Museum Collection. |
Tip Top Nursery
9 Arizona stores sold by parent company Sunbelt Nursery in 1998
Purchased by and rebranded as Summer Winds Nursery
Chain of valley plant nurseries with expert staff
Valley National Bank
Founded in the 1930s by Walter and Carl Bimson
Acquired by Bank One in 1994; Bank One became Chase Bank in 1995
Arizona chain of banks known for the unique architecture of their branches
 |
| Valley National Bank branch at WesTown (near I-17 and Cactus Rd.), Phoenix, 1960s |
Vans Skatepark
The 37,000 sq ft indoor park opened at Metrocenter Mall in 2001
Became Phoenix Skatepark in 2003, was in business until at least 2005
Space sold to Sport Chalet in 2006 which opened in 2007
Western Savings and Loan
Founded in Arizona in 1929
Seized by federal regulators in 1989 for racketeering
Was once the largest Savings and Loan institutions in Arizona, among top 100 nationwide
Wild Oats
Founded in 1987, grew to 110 stores in 24 states by 2007
Purchased by competitor Whole Foods in 2007 which now has 7 Arizona stores
Major chain of organic grocery stores
Yellow Front Stores
Founded in the 1950s by Jake Henager, grew to 165 stores
Filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy in February 1990
Chain of Arizona-based discount/surplus stores with locations all over the Southwest
Of course there are countless other businesses which I have missed, so feel free to leave a comment and remind me! Also, if you have any memories (good or bad) about these stores, take a moment to share your experience with us! Posting comments is easy and can be done anonymously. Thanks for reading the North Phoenix Blog!
95 comments:
There was LaBelle's which became Best, the parent company. And Lionel Play World. I don't remember when either went out of business. Also, Goldwaters wasn't started in 1973. More like 1873! Interesting article.
Being in local radio I believe I recorded the very first AMERICA WEST AIRLINES radio commercial about 1982-83....also, my ex-wife worked for AMERICA WEST in the reservations department for about 3 years. I also doing the voice-over for several COMP-USA computer store tv commercials.
I worked at Lionel Playworld in Mesa in the late 80's. Then the space was purchased by Officemax. Now the whole complex is a big, empty eyesore. And don't forget Federated.
One I didn't see on this list is United Bank, the competitor to Valley Nstional Bank. I believe that CitiBank bought them out.
what about Montgomery wards or wards, or as my family called it, monkey wards. I remember u could get tvs, blankets and all kinds of home furnishings there.
I guess everyone forgot about "Gemco". Membership department store. Cost one dollar to join in 1977. Their Tempe location is now Target on Baseline just east of McClintock
Who remembers Farrell's Ice Cream Parlor? I loved that place as a kid and had birthday parties there! How about the "Alley" inside Metro Center???
Absolutely! I will never forget the Farrell's giant drum and the huge ice cream sundae they put sparklers on! Does anyone remember an "Arizona Territory" themed restaurant in AZ Mills Mall (Baseline/Priest) when they first opened in 1997? What was the exact name of the restaurant?
How about The Arizona Bank with their unique Kachina dancer on their logo?
I had a Mr. Submarine franchise. One of 13 in the valley. Of hundreds in U.S. and Canada. Only one left here now. In the 70's and early 80's people crossed town to get one. We often had lines out the door.
How about Woolworth's or later Woolco? I remember seeing this painted on the bricks of a downtown building being renovated maybe off Adams or Monroe.
how about PharMor?
Was part of a national chain.
had at least one store at Metrocenter.
Building taken over by BestBuy.
Was discount pharmacy/general goods store.
Went bankrupt, executives prosecuted/convicted.
Tastee Freeze! And damn Peter piper for destroying the glory that was Pistol Petes. Only place better was Disney land!
what about fedmart and liquer barn and sproutz rietz i have no idea how to spell that one. tg and y . kitchies ice cream
dont forget about these; grants, t g and y, fedmart, kitchies ice cream , liquer barn, sproutz rietz. not sure how to spell that one.mervyns,sunset sports, univercity theaters, the lakes theaters. some of these are very old school. came here in 1972
I worked at fedmart gas on 36 st and thomas befor that it was globe ,LEGEND CITY ring a bell ,my first real job was a busboy at bill johnsons ,let's eat on e. van buren,O:-)
My dad bought me a solar powered calculator at LaBelle's when I started high school in 1980. I still have it, and it still works after all these years.
Clyde Smith sold Smittys to A Canadian company I believe Stein birds who was a flour milling company that sure about that but it was a Canadian company
Who remembers u-totem convenience stores or totem Dept. Stores, or how about the rusty nail steak house don't forget Ben franklins .or O'Malley's, angels. Good ole days !
Fed co, before, fed mart, grants dept.ent store, bojo's subs, the original miracle mile deli, café casino , flaky jakes, the incredible food court at town and country sooo yummy
Ohohoh. I forgot, shakeys pizza
Great Western Bank
A.J. Bayless Markets "Your Home Town Grocer" and their discount stores EZ Save and Big Bear.
Yes, the alley! I remember the license plate shop there! Also, when McDonalds was in the top floor corner and had a scary metal music type clothing store to the right. I was too young at the time to go there.
In reference to Kroger /Smiths/Fred Meyer; a few yrs after purchasing all 3, they decided to have frys occupy Arizona, Smith’s occupy Nevada,Utah,New Mexico,and Kingman ,Bullhead city,Lake Havasu,Ft.Mohave,AZ and Fred Meyer in the Paciific Northwest. And Ralph’s and food for less in Southern California, Food for less in Nevada has beeen rebranded as Smith’s , there used to be 2 discount food stores in Albuquerque that Smiths owned and operated,unknown if there still open, King scooper,City market in Colorado.
I remember Utotem on 59th Ave & Indian School in the 70s.
Revco at Westown shopping plaza & Zodys on 43rd & Peoria. There was also Diamonds & Joskes at Metro Center and so many others I've forgotten.
The store behind McDonalds was called "Whatever" or "Whatevers" Loved Metrocenter when I was a kid
Remember Hi-Val Gas stations? Known for selling discount cigarettes and soda pop They were actually Mobil Oil who was competing with their own dealer owned franchise gas stationns.
I started with America West and went through the merger with US Air to become US Airways. And even though the name is not America West, Doug Parker has tried to keep the history even now that we’re American and it is so great to see the 2 old America West tails still flying proudly! Just to think our little hometown airline could take over 2 major carriers is to Doug Parker’s credit. Even though corporate had to move to Texas, business reasons. I am proud to have been part of America West and will always be flying high. Plus now o can fly all over the world and not just US. Mexico. I actually just got back from Europe and saw that tail on my travels’
I too worked at Playworld, then Toys R Us. I also loved Bobby McGees in that Mesa center. Wish they would do something with that corner, it makes the area look terrible and been there to long.
I remember Fedmart, Handyman. Super X, Home Base, The Bear Cover, Service Merchandise, Tasty Freeze, Bill Johnsons Big Apple, Arthur Treachers and Kenny Rogers Roasters.
Thunderbird bank. Yep
Anyone remember humpty dumpty ? Also. Anyone remember the affection connection radio show and the dj woman that ran over a guy? What was her name? Carla something?
Pinnacle peak patio, oaxaca in the deer valley hills, metro center ice skating, legend city , tubing on the salt wet, dunebuggy on the salt dry, chicago cubs spring training games. long wongs wings and the best pizza in the us .
How about Legend City amusement park
Godfathers pizza.
Thank you a bunch for this with all of us you actually realize what you are talking about! Bookmarked. Please also seek advice from my site.
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Does anyone remember the name of the camping/hiking store at 32nd and Greenway? There were several around the valley, It was simular to Yellow Front.
I loved that area. I went to Bobby mcGees as a little kid, Fridays, Houlihans at Fiesta Mall, then as I got older I think there was the Tower Records and Essenza coffee that me and my "cool" teenage friends liked
Pinnacle Peak Patio was a true Arizona treasure. What a shame they closed it down. We always took out of state guests there.
This is from the east valley but allow me to reminisce..
Smittys was where my Nana took me for a peice of pizza every Sunday after church, just the two of us after my brother was born. We'd see who could eat more pizza (I was 4).for birthdays I got to go to Pistol Pete's Pizza on Baseline & play skiball while the adults drank from huge pitchers of soda & giant pans of pizza. I saved up my tickets to someday buy that pair of ice skates but I lost interest or they closed before that happened - but in my childhood bedroom I still got all my tickets!
Let's not forget Organ Stop Pizza on Southern? By the canal at Price
And Tri City Mall!
And dear old Powel Jr High - gone but not forgotten
It opened at Metro in 1973, which is prob where the date came from.
More like alternative. Lots of punk and goth clothing. Docs and Creepers.
I found this blog post on accident while looking for a list of defunct businesses in Arizona and I must say the places mentioned bring back some great memories.
My partner and I are creating a new collection of t-shirts for our t-shirt company representing defunct/iconic businesses in Arizona and would love hear what favorite places you feel would make a great shirt?
Please make Smitty's t-shirts
Thank you for the suggestion!! Consider it done. Start next week a "Suggest A Place Form" will be available on our site at www.teeshirtmill.com but Smitty's has been noted and will be available shortly.
I was talking to my sister about how we used to get pizza from Smitty's, got online, went down the rabbit hole, and found this excellent blog post.
I add for your consideration:
-SupeRx drug stores
-Compton Terrace [I saw Legend City mentioned earlier]
-Mr. Mort's Hot Dogs
-Gemco
Can we include the Mason Jar too?
Please tell me the name of the restaurant on the corner of Southern & Alma School, that when you went into the bathroom and looked into the mirror an image appeared? Was it Houlihans? Thanks! I just loved that area. Spent so much time at the mall. And Bobby McGees had the best happy hour food!
Oh, no! I didn't know it closed. So wanted to get back there. My cousins took us there in 1973 when we first moved here. Loved the skating rink & the restaurant that was a real airplane at Metro Center. Remember Wicks & Things? Who can forget Wallace & Ladmo? Good times! Do any of the gals remember a clothing store called, Fashion Conspiracy? It was black inside with small circle mirrors on the walls & had a hanging mirror ball? Anyone remember a 5 star steak restaurant in Tucson called, The Boot?
All great places! I forgot SupeRX and Comptom Terrace! Is The Mason Jar gone now? I don't live in the valley anymore. I mentioned farther up how much I loved Happy Hour at Bobby McGees. How about the bar that looked like a barn on University? Darn, what was it's name?! Minder Binders, that's it!They had the best Halloween Costume parties! Please someone in Mesa, tell me you remember a small bar on Main St. North of Country Club, called Sherwoods! I have to talk to someone about a painting that was on the wall! Please email me if you remember going in there! Thanks for all the memories around the Valley! I'm glad The T-Bone Steakhouse is still there on South Mountain. Great view of the valley!
I remember Lucky grocery store, A.J.Bayless grocery store, Thunderbird bank, Bobby McGees, Mother Tuckers, Roy Edwards Warehouse, Compuserve, The Wherehouse, Lunt Avenue Marble Club, and Storer cable TV.
Ed Debevics i worked there and danced on the counters lol all these places you guys named were awesome.... tower plaza where that guy climbed the tower when he wss drunk and fell and died, that was sad. There eas an ice skating rink there and a Thriftys. Those were the days
And Mr Luckys
How about Cook's discount grocery store?
Anyone remember these eateries? Ginos Pizza on the south side of AZ? They had the best pizza. Also what about Ponchos Mexican Buffet on Indian School Rd, Brookshire's Resturant, and The Big Apple?
After several months of research and preparing designs for our bygone t-shirt brand we're finally launching in March.
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Based on feedback some of our initial t-shirts will include: Smitty's, ABCO, Metro Center, A.J. Bayless, The Sail Inn, Pink Pony and more. Make sure you visit our landing page and sign up to be notified of the official launch. We have upcoming prizes and giveaways planned shortly after launch.
I do believe the discount stores in albuquerque were eventually turned into Smith's stores.... Several of the stores here were already Smith's stores prior to the merger with Kroger.... a lot of the reason for keeping certain chain names is to keep from losing customer base. Safeway did the same thing with the Albertsons Markets here in New Mexico
The Bygone T is now live! T-shirts celebrating Arizona's past. Checkout our initial line of shirts at www.thebygonet.com and subscribe to our newsletter for discounts, giveaways, and updates. Don't miss a chance to win our Legend City Giveaway! Contest will be announced next week.
Hey, Unknown at 9/25/2020 12:27 AM,
"Please tell me the name of the restaurant on the corner of Southern & Alma School, that when you went into the bathroom and looked into the mirror an image appeared? Was it Houlihans? Thanks! I just loved that area. Spent so much time at the mall. And Bobby McGees had the best happy hour food!"
I think the restaurant you're talking about was called Round The Corner. On the NW corner of Alma School and Southern.
O'Brien's Restaurant and Irish pub.I was pretty buzzed the first time I saw that troll in the mirror, I ran out and tried to tell everyone I was with but when I drug them back in there it was gone..I looked totally insane.I made them wait to prove I wasn't crazy or completely wasted. Whoever came up with that has got the best sense of humor.
No it was O'Brien's ..a troll appeared in the mirror.It was on the corner of Southern and Westwood (just east of Alma School).I used to live a few feet down the road.
what about globe department stores closed Its door bout 1976
Newberry too downtown
Goodbye Paradise Valley Mall - Sears, Goldwaters, Chick Fil a, Dillards all inside the mall. Sears Automotive, Mesquite library, Carl's Jr, Baxters, Western Savings, Sees Candy, outside the mall.
Yup. I was with the Arizona Bank for a long time; proud of my State!
Minuteman Hardware and Lighting, O'Malley's Lumber, Standard Brands Paint(think there's still a store in Tucson) Angel's, Home Club, later Home Base (originally they had an I.D. card you had to show when you went in) These stores pretty much disappeared when Home Depot moved into the valley. El Rancho Supermarkets.....so many more...
Popular outdoors! We went there before camping. Always loved to check that place out!
Anyone have a picture or something with the Popular outdoors logo?
There’s still one in Nogales!
Yes. And one in Glendale too. Building is still there.
Yeah I was there that day. Terrible. The ice rink is still there.
I was a manager at Circles Records and Tapes. 1978-1980. Great times. Everyone was so cool to work with. Odyssey Records, Cheap Records, World Records, Hollywood Records, Rolling Stone Records. Drive-in movie theaters.All the malls were really fun. Burger Chef. Wallace and Ladmo. Downtown Fox Theater. Glenfair Theater. Jootenhoops. Miss it all. Most of all. I love my generation. People cared about one another. People had pride America. Everybody was COOL !!!
Remember LowCost grocery stores. They were 24 hour and any thing but low cost! Angels lumber and hardware pre Home Depot .Spellman brothers lumber yard on grand and Indian school used to spend many hours there lookin at lumber and hardware they moved and I think they still sell speciality hardwoods
We loved Bill Johnson's! As a teenager I worked at Pettits department store at Maryvale mall. Loved the original Mary Coyles! Black eyed Pea. Loved shopping at Yellow Front, that's where I bought all my Christmas decorations as a newlywed. This was so much fun to read!
As a suggested by Des, our new Popular Outdoor Outfitters Tee is now available. Please let us know what you think. https://nostalgicbrandapparel.com/products/popular-outdoor-outfitters
It's now the Matin Auto Museum
What about AJ Bayless?
Does anyone know when Osborn Groceries used to be in business on 19th Ave and Osborn rd?
How about Willy and Guillermo's in Tempe, Saint Michaels Alley, Sids Wharehouse, Pinball Wizard, Handyman Hardware, Motorola Semiconductors, Monties La Casa Vieja, Landy's Market (University an 15th Ave), Farm to Home, TeePee of Toys, and many more.
Authur Treachers Fish & Chips, North Bank Restraunt, 1st National Bank( later became 1st Interstate), TGI Fridays.
Cornet
Thought of a few more: Hobo Joes, Mervyns, Chuckie Cheese Pizza, Toys By Roy, Short Stop, O'Malley's, Simons, Checkers, Marie Calendars, Mimi's Café, Captain D's Fish & Chips, Pat's Schwinn, Apache Lanes, Mata's, Bill Johnsons Big Apple, Tune-up Masters, First Federal Credit Union, Kmart, Village Inn Pizza, Sally's Fabrics, Cloth World, Fiddle Sticks, Big Surf. Malibu Grand Prix, Drive in Movies. Gosh there are so many.
Yes
Sub Stop, Black hole games arcade, Devil House, Timothy OTools, After the Goldrush, Cowboys, Bobby Mcgees, Alpha Graphics, Liquor Barn
Hanna’s, Leonard’s Luggage, Mag’s Ham Bun, The Quilted Bear, Labriolas, Bob’s Big Boy, Steak Pit, Bahama Breeze, Sakowitz, Bullocks
Bombay Bicycle Club
Does anyone remember Marshall ranch it was a small fruit stand off of 59 and cactus been looking for pictures of that place.
Metrocenter the best remember the arcades
I worked at that McDonald's and hated it, two weeks was all I could stand.lol
What was the name of the Hardware store on East Camelback that had a restaurant in it neat 7th St.. Did you eat at the Real Texas BBQ on Bethany home rd. or Bitter Creek sandwiches or have a drink at the janitors closet at Chris Town
Sherwoods in Mesa was located at Dobson and Southern .
Smitty's Big Town 16th Street and buckeye our favorite store
We met Muhammad Ali at Smitty's Big Town on 16th and Buckeye he was heavyweight champion at the time.
Who remembers Western Auto, Checkers Auto parts, Clothing City, Dandy's records all in the Golden gate neighborhood.
hi, i can't remember the name of the camping store but there was one at bell and 17 in the pavilion shopping center
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