This week we read that the last full-sized K-Mart in America will be closing its doors for good. We used this as a jumping-off point to ask the I-95 Morning Show listeners what defunct stores and restaurants they miss the most.

These are some of our favorite answers that came in from all over Connecticut and New York.

Lost in Time: Connecticut Residents Recall Their Favorite Closed Businesses

This week we read that the last full-sized K-Mart in America will be closing its doors for good. We used this as a jumping-off point to ask the I-95 Morning Show listeners what defunct stores and restaurants they miss the most. These are some of our favorite answers that came in from all over Connecticut and New York.

Gallery Credit: Lou Milano

I remember when I was a kid my mom worked at the Ames in Carmel, NY. She would take me to work with her sometimes and I'd spend the day hiding INSIDE the clothing racks. I actually remember that being a lot of fun. It was especially exciting when an unsuspecting shopper would slide the clothes too far to one side and get startled by seeing a redheaded child glaring back at them. I'm surprised no one mentioned Thom McAn shoes. If my memory serves correct they used to have toys available for the kids to play with.

Here are some other stores that should have been mentioned:

  • A&P
  • Ames
  • Arlan's Department Store
  • Ben Franklin
  • Brooks's Pharmacy
  • Dress Barn
  • Eckerd Corporation
  • Feinson's
  • Filene's
  • F.W. Woolworth Company
  • G.FOX
  • Gibson's Discount Center
  • Howard Brothers
  • Howard Johnson's
  • Lord & Taylor
  • Pier 1 Imports
  • Read's Department Store
  • Sport's Authority
  • Shopper's Fair
  • Value City

Want more Connecticut news and fun? If so, check out the Ethan, Lou & Large Dave Podcast. The show is available wherever you get your podcasts, including Apple and Spotify. The program is the same one we do on the radio but with limited commercials and no music. You can also listen live by streaming the show on the I-95 Rock Mobile app, or tune into I-95 (95.1FM).

4 Connecticut Based Department Stores That Are No More

I certainly remember shopping at three of the stores on this list and it transports me back to my youth and that makes it a find memory. These 4 stores were not only wildly popular in their day but they had their national headquarters right here in the Nutmeg State. 

Gallery Credit: Lou Milano

10 Items You Should Never Purchase at Connecticut Dollar Stores

Connecticut is an expensive place to live so people here will do just about anything to save a few bucks. This savings hunt makes dollar stores big business in CT and we have no shortage of them. Family Dollar has 32 Connecticut stores, Dollar Tree has 56 locations and Dollar General boasts 71 outlets throughout the State.

There are some items at these stores that will shave a lot of dough off your receipts but experts say you should not trust these stores with all purchases. Reader's Digest and USA Today have issued alerts to the public listing items you should steer clear of at Dollar Stores, here are 10 of them.

Gallery Credit: Lou Milano

10 Connecticut Department Stores With the Best Reviews

If we all stop shopping at brick-and-mortar stores, we risk ending up in a post-apocalyptic wasteland filled with abandoned malls. That’s why I decided to find the 10 Connecticut department stores with the best reviews.

Gallery Credit: Lou Milano