Remember ye olden days, before internet shopping was a thing and you had to buy your JNCO jeans and Steve Madden sandals at the mall? It was the best of times, it was the worst of times, it was the most
Tragically, many of the era’s best stores are out of business now (BRING BACK BLOCKBUSTER, YOU COWARDS), so we’re rounding ’em up in one list in the name of nostalgia. And yes, fine, some of these have very (very) few stores still standing—but certainly not enough, and it’s still sad, okay??
Before clicking through, please be forewarned: Reading this list might inspire you to rifle through depths of your closet you never knew existed, unearth that grommet belt you bought from Hot Topic (which is mercifully still around), change into an ill-fitting sweater set from The Limited (a cardigan with a matching tank top, for the blissfully uninitiated), and grab a pair of Adidas Superstars with a doodled-upon shell top. Sorry in advance, yet also, you’re very welcome.