It isn't just Toys R Us

I started a discussion at the Cincinnati doll club Yahoo group about the stores I used to shop at for toys.  The discussion started as a result of Toys R Us closing.  With the other members' help, I've compiled a list of all the stores that I used to buy Barbie (and occasionally other dolls) from

There is also a link to Wikipedia, but that listing will make you sad.

What I discovered is that Walmart had little to do with these other places closing.  Many of them had gone out of business or were bought out long before Walmart ever came to these cities.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_defunct_department_stores_of_the_United_States

National discount or department store chains

Ames

Arlen’s

Ben Franklin

bigg’s

Gold Circle

Grant’s

Hill’s

McAlpin’s

Meijer Square

Newberry’s

Pogue’s

Service Merchandise

Woolworth/Woolco

Zayre’s

Toy stores

Arnoldt’s Fairyland (Cincinnati store)

Child World/Children’s Palace

Johnny’s Toys

K-B/K&K

Toys R Us

Cincinnati store chains

ChinaTown/Van Leunen’s

Ontario

Rink’s Bargain City

Swallen’s

Used to carry toys but don’t anymore

Elder-Beerman

JC Penney

Sears

Shillito’s/Rike’s/Lazarus/Macy’s

Carries toys but is teetering on the edge

Kmart