Businesses open and close all the time. Some last for decades or even centuries, while others may only be open for a few months or years before shutting down. Closed businesses can leave behind buildings that seem frozen in time, almost like ghost towns. These abandoned spaces can be full of mysteries and riddles about their past. Let’s explore some riddles about closed businesses and reveal their answers!
Part 1: 15 Easy Riddles About Closed Businesses
Riddle 1
I once was a place you could rent all kinds of movies. I had a blue and yellow sign. What closed business am I?
Answer: Blockbuster
Riddle 2
I sold toys, games, and novelties. You could find me in malls across America. I closed up in 2018 after filing bankruptcy. What business am I?
Answer: Toys R Us
Riddle 3
Customers used to flock to me to develop their film into photos. Digital photography led to my downfall. What closed camera business am I?
Answer: Fotomat
Riddle 4
I was a video rental store with an iconic flashing neon logo. Movies and games were my specialty. What business that closed in 2013 am I?
Answer: Blockbuster Video
Riddle 5
I sold electronics like TVs, stereos, and appliances. My catchy jingle said “I guarantee it.” My last store closed in 2009. What business was I?
Answer: Circuit City
Riddle 6
I was known for my pizza and animatronic critters. Kids loved to eat and play games at my restaurants. What beloved dining establishment closed down in 2014?
Answer: Chuck E. Cheese’s
Riddle 7
I sold pet supplies and let customers bring their dogs inside. PetSmart led to my downfall in 2005. What pet store did I use to be?
Answer: PETCO
Riddle 8
I rented VHS tapes to customers across America. One day I woke up and streaming had taken my place. What movie rental chain am I?
Answer: Blockbuster
Riddle 9
I sold groceries and had a slogan “My store. My prices.” Walmart forced me to close my doors in the 2000s. What supermarket was I?
Answer: A&P
Riddle 10
I sold music, DVDs, and trendy clothes found in malls everywhere. Competition from digital sales led me to bankruptcy. What closed retailer am I?
Answer: Sam Goody
Riddle 11
I rented and sold VHS tapes to movie lovers. In 2010 I closed the last of my 9000 stores. What movie rental chain was I?
Answer: Blockbuster
Riddle 12
I sold toys, video games, and other goods found in malls across America. I just couldn’t keep up with retail giants like Amazon. What toy store did I use to be?
Answer: KB Toys
Riddle 13
I sold music, movies, games, and electronics. My superstores were full of entertainment. What closed retailer’s slogan was “Wherehouse Rocks”?
Answer: Wherehouse Entertainment
Riddle 14
I was a bookseller that reached its peak in the 1990s. Large chains like Barnes & Noble forced me to close up shop. What bookstore was I?
Answer: B. Dalton
Riddle 15
I sold fabric, crafts, and home décor at standalone stores across America. What sewing and craft retailer closed after filing bankruptcy in 2008?
Answer: Hancock Fabrics
Part 2: 18 Intermediate Riddles About Closed Businesses
Riddle 16
I sold stereos, televisions, and other electronics. My catchy radio jingle said my name over and over. What defunct electronics chain am I?
Answer: Crazy Eddie
Riddle 17
Customers would flock to my stores to develop photos in just one hour. Digital photography led me to file bankruptcy twice before closing for good. What photo development chain was I?
Answer: Fotomat
Riddle 18
I sold video game cartridges, consoles, and gaming magazines. Competition from GameStop forced me to close my store doors. What video game retailer did I use to be?
Answer: Babbage’s
Riddle 19
I rented and sold books, DVDs, and video games. My brick-and-mortar stores couldn’t compete with Redbox and Netflix. What entertainment chain did I use to be?
Answer: Hollywood Video
Riddle 20
I was a retail chain known for selling electronics, music, games, movies, and more all under one roof. What defunct entertainment superstore’s slogan was “The Store Unlke Any Other”?
Answer: Nobody Beats the Wiz
Riddle 21
My grocery stores were found across New England until competition forced me to close up in the 2000s. What regional supermarket chain was I?
Answer: Shaw’s
Riddle 22
I sold office supplies, furniture, and electronics to businesses across the nation. What office supply company closed up shop in 2011?
Answer: Office Depot
Riddle 23
I sold sporting goods and outdoor equipment at hundreds of locations. Dick’s Sporting Goods helped contribute to my demise in the 2000s. What sporting goods chain did I use to be?
Answer: Sports Authority
Riddle 24
I sold books, CDs, and magazines at mall locations across America. What entertainment media retailer closed its last store in 2006?
Answer: Media Play
Riddle 25
I was an iconic department store found in malls all across America. After years of declining sales, I finally closed my doors for good in 2008. What department store chain was I?
Answer: Montgomery Ward
Riddle 26
I sold home-cooked meals in a nostalgic diner setting. What defunct diner chain’s slogan was “Good Food and Quick Service”?
Answer: Howard Johnson’s
Riddle 27
I was an iconic supermarket chain, once the largest in America. After attempting to rebrand myself as A&P Fresh, I finally closed my last store in 2015. What grocery store chain was I?
Answer: A&P
Riddle 28
I sold electronics, video games, music, and movies. My big yellow tags advertised lower prices. What defunct retailer’s slogan was “The Savings Store”?
Answer: Best Products
Riddle 29
I sold pet food, toys, and supplies at over 1000 locations. PetSmart and Petco forced me to close my doors in 2005. What pet supply retailer did I use to be?
Answer: PetsMart
Riddle 30
I was a drug store chain purchased by CVS in 2006. Many of my stores were re-branded as CVS pharmacies. What drug store chain did I use to be?
Answer: Eckerd
Riddle 31
I sold electronics, music, movies, games, appliances, and toys. My superstores dominated the suburbs but couldn’t survive changing shopper habits. What closed retailer am I?
Answer: Bradlees
Riddle 32
I sold groceries and general merchandise at 100s of rural locations. Walmart forced me to close most of my stores by the early 2000s. What country general store and supermarket chain did I use to be?
Answer: A&P
Riddle 33
I was a beloved regional department store chain in the south. After years of declining sales, I finally closed my last store in 2005. What department store was I?
Answer: Gayfers
Part 3: 20 Challenging Riddles About Closed Businesses
Riddle 34
I sold computers, software, video games, and other electronics. My brick-and-mortar stores couldn’t compete with Best Buy and online retailers. What computer store did I use to be?
Answer: CompUSA
Riddle 35
I operated hundreds of movie theaters in America before going bankrupt in 2000. What major movie theater chain did I use to be?
Answer: General Cinema
Riddle 36
I sold toys, novelties, and candy at over 1000 mall locations. What toy store chain filed for bankruptcy in 2005?
Answer: KB Toys
Riddle 37
I sold pet supplies, food, and services at stores across America. PetSmart purchased me in 2005, leading to the closure of my remaining stores. What pet retailer did I use to be?
Answer: PETCO
Riddle 38
I sold compact discs, movies, and video games. My mall stores had listening stations where you could preview music. What entertainment media retailer did I use to be?
Answer: Sam Goody
Riddle 39
I operated hundreds of grocery stores, mostly in Florida. Publix contributed to my demise in the 1990s. What regional supermarket chain did I use to be?
Answer: Albertsons
Riddle 40
I sold computers, software, printers, and other accessories at mall locations across America. What computer retailer closed its last store in 2003?
Answer: Computer City
Riddle 41
I operated motels across America along highways and interstates. What roadside motel chain filed for bankruptcy in 1991?
Answer: Howard Johnson’s
Riddle 42
I sold health and beauty products at over 8000 locations. CVS and Rite Aid helped lead to my downfall in the 1990s and 2000s. What drugstore did I use to be?
Answer: Eckerd
Riddle 43
I sold appliances, electronics, furniture, home fashions, and more at hundreds of locations. Low sales forced me to close my stores in the 1990s. What home retailer did I use to be?
Answer: Service Merchandise
Riddle 44
I sold electronics, computers, music, movies, games, and appliances. My discount prices couldn’t save me from bankruptcy in 2008. What retailer’s motto was “Brand names, closeouts, bargains, and more”?
Answer: Circuit City
Riddle 45
I was a beloved Southern grocery store chain purchased by Winn-Dixie in the 1990s. Many of my stores were converted to Winn-Dixie locations. What supermarket chain did I use to be?
Answer: Thriftway
Riddle 46
My chain of military surplus stores were located across America. I filed for bankruptcy and closed my last store in 2001. What surplus goods retailer did I use to be?
Answer: Army & Navy Stores
Riddle 47
I sold toys, novelties, and seasonal products at over 800 mall stores. What toy retailer filed for bankruptcy in 2003?
Answer: Kay-Bee Toys
Riddle 48
I operated movie theaters in the Midwestern U.S. before being purchased by AMC Theatres in the 1980s. What major movie theater chain did I use to be?
Answer: General Cinema
Riddle 49
I was a chain of computer superstores that couldn’t compete with retailers like Best Buy. My parent company shut down my remaining stores in 2004. What computer retailer did I use to be?
Answer: Computer City
Riddle 50
I operated Victoria’s Secret stores in malls across America until being purchased by Limited Brands in the 1980s. What intimate apparel retailer did I use to be?
Answer: Victoria’s Secret Catalogue
Riddle 51
I sold home appliances, furniture, electronics, and home improvement goods. Low sales forced me to close my stores in the 1990s. What retailer’s motto was “Best Values, Best Brands”?
Answer: Best Products
Riddle 52
I was a beloved New England grocery store purchased by Hannaford in the early 2000s. Many of my stores were rebranded as Hannaford locations. What supermarket chain did I use to be?
Answer: Shop ‘N Save
Riddle 53
I sold electronics, appliances, jewelry, toys, auto parts, and more at general merchandise stores across America. Kmart purchased me in 2004 but couldn’t prevent my total collapse. What discount retailer did I use to be?
Answer: Kmart
Conclusion
Businesses open and close all the time, leaving behind vacant buildings full of memories. These riddles provide a fun way to remember iconic brands and retailers from decades past. Some companies fell victim to changing shopping habits, new technologies, or competition from retail giants. Other chains simply faded away or failed to adapt quickly enough to survive. While their stores may be long gone, these businesses still live on in nostalgic riddles that reveal glimpses of the past.
