About Me.. and The Stores I\'ve Been To

[Jag67]

Here's Mine:

Favorite Color: Black
Favorite Restaurant: Como cafe
Favorite Store: K-mart
Location: Clarence, NY (near Buffalo)
Book: Lemon-Aid
Age: 13
Hobbies: electronics, old stores, malls, the 80's, drums, girls

[tokensafari]

Color: Blue
Restuarant: Applebees
Car: Dodge Ram
Location: Huntington, Wv
Book: Art of War - Machiavell
Age: 17.5
Hobbies: Dead Chains, Poker, Building Websites, Girl-Friend

[C. Fontaine]

Color: Green
Restaraunt:  TGI Fridays / Chilis
Car:  Mercedes C-Class / BMW 760 (I currently own a pimped out Focus)
Location:  Dudley, MA
Book:  Newspaper
Age:  19
Hobbies:  This site, perfecting the art of making pizza, texas hold-um tournaments, my awesome girlfriend

[Caldor1999]

Color: Red
Restaraunt: Wendys,Friendleys,Pizza Hut and Burger King
Location: Mount Kisco NY
Age: 17
Hobbies singing and photography and retilr historyey
Stores i like that are still around Macys Target Filenes many evreything else
stores i hate Kmart Wal Mart Hannaford JC P enny Sears
stores that i like that are gone Caldor Ames and Service Merchandise

[Zayre88]

Color: Green
Restaurants: Wendy's / Applebee's
Car: Grand AM GT
Location: St.George, QC
Age: 25
Book: Annual reports
Hobbies: This site, my site, photography,shopping centers
Favorite store: Marden's / Target

[Rayco7030]

Originally posted by C. Fontaine
Here's a picture of me from my cameraphone at work, since my usual 2-megapixel Ames picture-taker was stolen...  I was born in 1986, and used to spend ALOT of time at Ames.  I'm in to retail management, and soon hope to actually be employed as a manager at Walgreens.  I have years of management experience in foodservice.  I am currently employed at Papa Gino's, recently demoting myself to a driver for the summer, mostly because of issues with the general management of the restaurant.  I'm single and looking, if that interests nice girls that might be here...:rolleyes:  Other than that I'm a pretty normal guy.

better keep into foodservice since you got an advantage in it
lets see 19 go otu with a girl 2 yrs get maried by 21

take your time and really get to know her thats how love really is shell be your best bestfriend

[Rayco7030]

can i take your order please :yup:



see pic posted by cf himself :tumble:

[C. Fontaine]

:insane:Thanks for the advice!  Yeah, I am back into management, again Asst. Manager...

[Jag67]

Originally posted by Caldor1999
i though idd post more pictures heh

Hey Caldor is that your gf, or just a friend?

[Jag67]

dang brudda I wish I was you. Know how many girls like me? One. And she has a mental broblem.

[amesman]

I like a couple girls, but I'm waiting a little while, until I'm ready, or if one of them, or another girl I know, says they like me too..haha. Here's some more info about me:

Fav. Color(s): Orange/Blue
Favorite restaurants: Applebees, Howard Johnson's, Dennys, and Friendlys
Age: 16(17 in October)
Favorite place to be: Albany, NY
Birthdate: 10-18-88

[MaDPaC]

34, male & married out of Pittsburgh, Pa area. Many hobbies and interests. Favorite chain is K-Mart, especially older stores. Favorite former chains were Hills, Zayre, Murphys Mart and Jamesway. I hated Ames for taking the first three from me, but am sad to see it gone as I see the old pictures.
Along with Ames, I've growing appreciation for the chains I never knew, such as Caldor and Bradlees. I also like old department stores and malls, too. I'm proud owner of many collectibles, the largest of which are shopping carts. I am looking for any information and pictures of Twin Fair, Gold Coast, Gold Circle and Acme-Click.
Lastly, count me square with the Wal*Mart haters on the board....since 1998 (and the demise of my favorite active 5 screen drive-in) I just don't enjoy them anymore :(.

[Rayco7030]

Color: Blue
Restuarant: Probably Md's
Car: None
Location: Ludlow.Massachusetts
Book: ?????
Age: 35
Hobbies: Dead Chains, Music,Sports,art

[Rayco7030]

Originally posted by Rayco7030
Color: Blue
Restuarant: Probably Md's
Car: none
Location: Ludlow.Massachusetts
Book: ?????
Age: 35
Hobbies: Dead Chains, Music,Sports,art

[d_fife]

Daniel Fife
Height: 5 '9'
wieght about 200 IBs (I gained 60 points in 5 years)
age 22 (will be 23 march 16)
interests: retail socializing, saterday morning, goes to plymouth state

hair color brown
eyes: blue

[powersbt]

Ok...I feel like an old Fart here. 26 years old, been in retail for over 6 years. Probably had a true interest in retail and it's history since I began in retail. Used to hate Bradlees and Ames as a kid, I missed them when they were gone. Was really interested in the subject after finding older photos of stores on the internet. I know there are many older photos out there, just no one seems to want to dig them out.

Among some of the now defunct stores I have been to include: Ames, Zayres, Bradlees, PharMor, Pharmhouse, Nichols, Jamesway, Hess', Hills, Present Co., Woolworths, Service Merchandise, Montgomery Wards, Chicago Markets.

I'm sure there are others.

I too am single, but never know what the future will bring.

[Cutman]

Heyhey, I'm new. :D

My name's Julie. Which means that yes, I'm female. I know my username has 'man' in it, but whatever. Cutman was cool. ;_; Anyway, I'm not single, so don't get all excited that a girl's here. :P

Color: purple
Restaurant: Dunno
Car: I don't have one
Location: Baltimore, MD, and yes, there's still an Ames building somewhat close to me. Once I get off of my lazy butt I'll try taking a picture.
Book: Catcher in the Rye
Age: 18
Hobbies: anime, video games, the internet

[StarSage]

I'm 29, was born on New Year's Eve in Elmira, NY (home town of Astronaut Eileen Collins). And although my first job out of high school was as a grill cook at a Wendy's, I have never worked retail (or food service again!).

The closed stores I've been to: Ames, Bradlees, Fay's Drug, Hill's, Jamesway, JJ Newberry's, King's, Montgomery Ward, Murphy's Mart, Nicholl's, Pharmhouse, Sears Home (original, not new Essentials), Service Merchandise, Woolworth's and Zayre.

[Caldor1999]

Originally posted by StarSage
I'm 29, was born on New Year's Eve in Elmira, NY (home town of Astronaut Eileen Collins). And although my first job out of high school was as a grill cook at a Wendy's, I have never worked retail (or food service again!).

The closed stores I've been to: Ames, Bradlees, Fay's Drug, Hill's, Jamesway, JJ Newberry's, King's, Montgomery Ward, Murphy's Mart, Nicholl's, Pharmhouse, Sears Home (original, not new Essentials), Service Merchandise, Woolworth's and Zayre.

u never been toa caldor before????

[XISMZERO]

Ooh I envy you, StarSage. You live right near that wonderful old Toys "R" Us in Horseheads. You're also probably not too far from the other one in Clay!

[XISMZERO]

I mine as well introduce myself in more detail. I recently turned 21 and I'm attending Central Connecticut State University studying English. I have always been intruged by the retail world as I've spent a good deal of my childhood with good memories in stores like Caldor, Bradlees and Ames.

I'm a native of Connecticut and it's taken me a while to love this state for what it is (especially after seeing more of upper New England). One of the greatest things is that there are plenty of retail outlets around here all within an hour of my home in Farmington, Connecticut. If you ever visit Connecticut, I'd say visiting Manchester, Newington, and Danbury are the hottest retail spots.

My retail work history includes having worked at Wal-Mart (in 2003) and CVS (2004~2005). I'm hovering around for jobs now aiming for Target (no pun intended) - coincidentially my favorite store.

I'd have to say the most sentimental stores to me (to name a few) were Toys "R" Us trips on Saturday afternoons and after school, and Caldor (because it was practically the only store my mom shopped in the department store field).

Currently, I've been taken by photography as this past Christmas I received my first ever [Sony Cybershot DSC-T7] digital camera. I'm slowly becoming a slave taking pictures I've always wanted to take and continue to share with all of my friends and those I've never met my journeys.

My current goals include finding Caldor, Bradlees and other intruging vacant retail sites. I'm also on the hunt to documenting every Toys "R" Us store I visit most specifically I'm in search for the 1980's "brown/rainbow" buildings as one of my highest goals.

Lastly, I'd like to crown Fontaine a pioneer! This website has become a success and a haven for all of us who enjoy this sort of thing. I feel most of us are a community of like minded people who just love the retail world. I am truly grateful for the Ames Fan Club community and our continuing efforts to preserve retail history.

[Zayre88]

Here are more details about me too. I recently turned 26 so i am lucky to remember many discount chains of the past like Zayre from where my first bike was bought.

I'm Canadian and i think that what's special about me since i'm so interested in retail in the United States.  Retail around here is pretty boring and travelling often in New England sparked my interest in retail.  And sorry if i make mistakes when i type, i'm french speaking but i'm getting better in english after years of browsing retail websites in english.;)

My retail work history includes having worked at Jean Coutu (the parent company of Brooks pharmacy) (1997-2000) and Sears (since 2000). I like stores and like to work in the retail business.  It made me create my own website about discount retail history wich i started in may 2000.

My favorite stores used to be Bradlees and Rich's. When they closed it became Ames, but now i'd say Kmart and Target, even though i tend to bash Kmart sometimes..

Vacant retail sites are harder to find with most of the closed stores replaced by new ones.  But i keep looking for more places.  I'm even more eager to take new pictures because i just changed my old 1.3 megapixel digital camera with a new Sony DSC-W5.  

I agree that Chris did an amazing website and it's a huge success!  The message board has become the Ames and retail discussion place that my site never had.  And thanks also to d_fife wich posted 2774 messages here and helped me a lot with my own website.

[Caldor1999]

i also have to agree with all of u on that this is a greta sight i have contrubite to added teh carmel ames on teh store locater i just recley went to teh palwing ames but anywyas im just turning 18 this friday and my fav store was Caldor and Service Merchandise now a days i liek Target as a discounter and Kohls Macys JC Penny and Mall stores ect anything but wal mart and tj maxx i pritty much like i have visted such stores as 2 vacant ames 2 vacnat bradlees and my best find of all 2 vacant caldors one in middletown ny and one in Newwingtion bouth bulit ten years apart from eachouther but any wahs hears one ofmy lasted pics its the caldor in middletown ny which opend in 1984

[jmcnamara96]

I am Joseph Mark Gilbert
Born Febuary15,1994
lived in Hudson NH1994-2008 and now live in Nashua NH2008-Present i love Ames Bradlees the most and work odd jobs around my streets and no almost every thing about cars because my dad use to race at Hudson Speedway and taught me almost every thing to no about cars.My parents are divorced so i live with mom and im man of the house and fix every thing including my moms(my)1994 Lincoln Connenital.but my drean car is a 1987 Lincoln Towncar.

Color: Red
Restaraunt: TGI Fridays / Applebees
Car: none
Location: Nashua NH
Book: Newspaper
Age: 14
Hobbies: Legos,cars,closed chains,building thing

[Marc82]

Wow can't believe I never participated in this thread.

26. (Will be 27 on May 23rd). Been working at the Southington, CT Walmart since June 2008. It's an old CALDOR. Worked at  Price Chopper in Southington from October 06 until March 08. It's an old KMART. Transferred to the Shaws in Southington in September 04. Worked there until May 06. Quit 5 1/2 months before they closed. It was previously an EDWARDS. Worked at Shaw's in Bristol from October 01 until September 04. And for the most part my first job was at Shoprite in Bristol from December 99 until December 00.

Graduated EC Goodwin Technical High School in June 2000.

Currently drive a purple 95 Pontiac Sunfire. Dream Vehicle is a Chevy Trailblazer.

Don't have a favorite restaurant. I go to the same ones all the time Buffet 2000 and Century Buffet. And I always go to the Walmart Subway.

Interests: Radio, Retail, Roads, Weather, etc.

http://www.geocities.com/marcpb1982/index.html

[kendra]

It was very interesting reading through this thread -- most surprising is how young everyone on here is! I'm one of the older posters here, I suppose, at 27. I am a full-time university student in Maine, majoring in anthropology with a minor in international affairs. I am employed by A New England Supermarket Chain and have been for the last seven years or so, working in various capacities, most recently as a receiver and as the individual in charge of the health and beauty department. My interest in retail history is largely a nostalgic one...I've never been overly fascinated by the inner workings of business (or I'd likely be studying it at school!) but I miss the retailers of my childhood-through-adolescence such as Zayre, Rich's, Freese's, and many others, plus I enjoy learning both about the ones that preceded them (Woolco, King's, etc.) and ones that I never had the pleasure of knowing in my own personal experience (Caldor being one, for example, that has been fascinating to learn about). I also have a special affinity for certain long-standing retailers that soldier on in today's retail world (Kmart, JCPenney, etc.) This community is an excellent resource for those who are interested in this sort of thing, and I've found it a valuable addition to my frequently-checked bookmarks. Beyond this forum and my retail interests, I am a massive music nerd, and own over fifteen hundred compact discs, in addition to music on other formats such as LP, but that is another (lengthy) story entirely. :P

Since others are posting photos, here's one of me:


(As an aside, I am not quite that freakishly pale in real life...that's just how the photo came out!) :bigsmile:

[Mobil]

I moved from Houston to Eastern PA in 2001. So I am an expert on retail in both major areas.

[powersbt]

Originally posted by kendra
It was very interesting reading through this thread -- most surprising is how young everyone on here is! I'm one of the older posters here, I suppose, at 27. I am a full-time university student in Maine, majoring in anthropology with a minor in international affairs. I am employed by A New England Supermarket Chain and have been for the last seven years or so, working in various capacities, most recently as a receiver and as the individual in charge of the health and beauty department. My interest in retail history is largely a nostalgic one...I've never been overly fascinated by the inner workings of business (or I'd likely be studying it at school!) but I miss the retailers of my childhood-through-adolescence such as Zayre, Rich's, Freese's, and many others, plus I enjoy learning both about the ones that preceded them (Woolco, King's, etc.) and ones that I never had the pleasure of knowing in my own personal experience (Caldor being one, for example, that has been fascinating to learn about). I also have a special affinity for certain long-standing retailers that soldier on in today's retail world (Kmart, JCPenney, etc.) This community is an excellent resource for those who are interested in this sort of thing, and I've found it a valuable addition to my frequently-checked bookmarks. Beyond this forum and my retail interests, I am a massive music nerd, and own over fifteen hundred compact discs, in addition to music on other formats such as LP, but that is another (lengthy) story entirely. :P

Since others are posting photos, here's one of me:


(As an aside, I am not quite that freakishly pale in real life...that's just how the photo came out!) :bigsmile:

Wow, I thought I had a CD collection. Very Impressive!!