End of an era: Radio Shack has left Dubuque

[47of74]

I went in to them the last time about a couple weeks ago when I needed an extra long USB cable and Target didn't have what I needed. I went to Target tonight and the going out of business signs are down and the store is empty now.

Kind of sad to see them go. They had been at that location there probably about 30 years.

[HassleCat]

1. Times Change

I think they've been around since the early days of electronic tinkering, when they sold parts to experimenters. Once that era ended, the messed round in computers, cell phones, data plans, TVs, stereos, radio controlled model planes and cars, and various other stuff, until the ran out of things to try. Years ago, I went in and asked for a code key I could use to send Morse. They looked at me like I stepped off a space ship or something. In some Radio Shack stores, the owners will stock equipment they use in their own electronic hobbies, so you might find CB stuff, computer gear.

[Duckhunter935]

2. Yep, used to have many project kits

To build. 😀

[Kilgore]

3. No choice but mail order for me now

It really filled a nitch in our town for those hard to find tech stuff. Looks like it's mail order from here on out.

Came across this article a few months ago. I think it explains what happened.

http://www.sbnation.com/2014/11/26/7281129/radioshack-eulogy-stories

[47of74]

6. It did in Dubuque too.

Back in the days before the big box retailers started selling computers and accessories they were pretty much the only game in town for that sort of stuff. Either that or mail order service.

[rurallib]

4. when I hear of a business person who runs for office

claiming their business "expertise" qualifies them for office, I think of the landscape littered with failed businesses.
Kmart + Sears will soon enough be joining the bone pile. Remember Monty Wards? Western Auto? Gambles?

Ad infinitum.

[47of74]

7. Our Sears has been gone about a year now.

They became a good alternative to Radio Shack once they started selling computer accessories and software, along with other electronics.

The mall hasn't found anyone yet to take their spot over.

[Kilgore]

9. Some of these businesses yes, but we have fundamentally changed.

Ten years ago Almost all of our shopping was at traditional stores. Today most everything is ordered on line. Many of these stores did not make the shift and are now gone. Empty malls and storefronts are a testament to this. For us, meaningful shopping means driving 30 miles each way and half a day away which makes shopping online rather appealing. Can't even remember the last time we were in a mall.

Just saw that Walmart will ship anything including groceries to your house for free as long as the order is over $50 and the prices are identical to what's in the store. Not a big fan of Walmart, but give them credit for recognizing the future.

[Canoe52]

5. Used to test the tubes from my tv there

Still had an old tv in the 80's that had tubes, called the local radio shack to ask if they had a tube tester, the woman who answered had no idea what I was talking about.

[progressoid]

10. Used to buy little electronic kits when I was a kid from radio shack.

(in South Dakota though). Ah, the good old days.

[shenmue]

8. I miss them

I liked them.