New Article: Mego Retailers!

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Today, we gather the collective knowledge of Mego Museum members, who contributed their memories in an effort to catalog every retailer that sold Mego toys back in the day! Sadly, most of these stores are long-gone, but that’s partially what makes visiting the past so much fun… it’s the only way we can go back [...]

More... (http://www.worldsgreatesttoys.com/wgtBlog/2008/06/16/mego-retailers/)

[ScottA]

I'm sorry but that has to be the coolest list ever.

[MegoScott]

Yeah, that's very cool...Wow, maybe one day you'll have price stickers of all of them.

[Sideshow Spock]

This is awesome. I live in central NYS, and we also had a Grants downtown. Closed in the early to mid 80s I believe. Also had a Nichols, which closed around 1993.

A quick correction.. the last year for Ames stores was 2002, not 1992. :cool_y:

[imp]

A quick correction.. the last year for Ames stores was 2002, not 1992. :cool_y:

FIXED. Thanks for catching that!

-b

[The Toyroom]

Some additional info:

- "Big N" may have had ties to "Neisner's". Some Neisner's in Central NY were sold to McCrory's.

- "Grand Way" had ties to Grand Union, a grocery chain. Apparently, there were other Grand Way stores in New York as well as New Jersey.

- "Jupiter" (a Kresge store) is missing from the chart. Pic of logo circa 60s: http://bp3.blogger.com/_Ei2Ik5quiI0/SAqqRvflXCI/AAAAAAAAA3c/IZG2fAMGVA4/s1600/kresge%2Bjupiter%2B1961.jpg

- "Nichols" was actually S.E. Nichols, Inc. At one time, they had stores in NY,VA,MD,PA,WV,OH and NC and numbered about 43 stores. By 1991, they were down to 14 and filed Chapter 11 after their conversion to "Pharmhouse" stores ran out of cash.
The Pharmhouse chain was eventually sold to Pharm-Mor.

- "Star's": There was also another located in Utica, NY.

[jwyblejr]

Wasn't there a Nichols in Marcy? I remember the one in Oneonta. They went in where Barker's was. That one opened around 1984. Was there until the chain went under. All of Pyramid Mall in Oneonta went out shortly there after. Became an indoor flea market for awhile,then I think Fox Hospital took over. Have to double check when I visit my grandmother in Mount Vision in the fall.

[The Toyroom]

There were Nichols stores in Marcy, New Hartford, and Herkimer that I'm aware of and perhaps Watertown, as far as Central NY goes.

[AcroRay]

I believe Gee Bee's eventually became Ames. At least, the Gee Bees store in my home area of South Western Pennsylvania eventually were converted into Ames stores, in the mid-1980s, if I recall correctly.

I'd also add the Fisher's Big Wheel department store chain to the list, which were similar to Hills & K-Mart. I purchased two TV Trek Uhura figures and a large plush STTMP Kirk doll at the Fisher's in Waynesburg, PA in 1982, which I later sold at a Creation convention in '83. They had some WGSH on the pegs as well, but I wasn't into those.

Lastly, I'll add the "Health Mart" chain of drug & general product stores, largely centered in South Western Pennsylvania up until the late 1980s. When I was little I got all manner of toys there, from AMT Trek kits to Mattel Godzilla's Gang & Shogun Warriors. They also carried various Mego products. (There's one old location undergoing some renovation near me and I believe their faded old sign was just exposed when some facing was removed. I'll drop by & try to get a shot of it this weekend if its still there.)

[beartex2000]

In the Fort Worth area back in the 70s and 80s we got out Megos at Motts 5 and dime, A great little store that is now long gone.....

[woodyk8]

In Colorado we had a store called Woolco it was similar to the wal-mart. We used to get ICEES there. Now 7-11 sells the drink. I purchased Conan and Thor there. And my silver trans am

[Wee67]

Didn't Woolco have a relationbship with Woolworth's?

BTW, Benjamin, your focus is, as always, quite impressive. A pretty cool list. I really enjoyed looking down the list. Aside from the stores I had mentioned, some others really brought back some waves of nostalgia.

[vulcan2074]

I've got a MIB Batgirl with a price sticker that doesn't belong to any of the stores on the list. The Price sticker says [W] Wakers $1.20. I also have another MIB Batgirl that has a Price sticker that says Toy Castle with a written price. I Love this list. It's very intricate.
V~2074


$1.20 Now thats a Bargain, LOL.

[txteach]

Very impressive!

[vulcan2074]

:beaming1: Thank You.

[Raydeen1]

I believe Woolco was Woolworth's pappy. Woolworth was a lower end chain. I believe this was so.


Didn't Woolco have a relationbship with Woolworth's?

BTW, Benjamin, your focus is, as always, quite impressive. A pretty cool list. I really enjoyed looking down the list. Aside from the stores I had mentioned, some others really brought back some waves of nostalgia.

[SoulSinger]

megos were $1 at walgreens right before the second wave of them arrived.

Bob

[imp]

I've got a MIB Batgirl with a price sticker that doesn't belong to any of the stores on the list. The Price sticker says [W] Wakers $1.20. I also have another MIB Batgirl that has a Price sticker that says Toy Castle with a written price. I Love this list. It's very intricate.
V~2074


$1.20 Now thats a Bargain, LOL.

Thanks for the info! I have added both "Wakers" and "Toy Castle" to the list. If anyone has additional info about either store, or can provide a scan of a price sticker, I'd love to get it.

Thanks guys!

Benjamin

[vulcan2074]

Your Welcome Benjamin. I'll try to get that Scan for you ASAP.
V~2074

[shooby32]

...here in the South Bay (San Jose, CA area) they were at a GREAT store called King Norman's, and also at the wonderful Kiddie World (in Santa Clara)--in fact, one of the boxes shown in the book has a Kiddie World price sticker on it! ^_^

Matt

...and I'm not sure if I missed it in the list or not, but also at Sav-on Drug stores! I remember seeing so many boxed Supergirls in Sav-on one Christmas....*sniffle*

[vulcan2074]

http://i118.photobucket.com/albums/o115/vulcan2074/000_0002.jpg

http://i118.photobucket.com/albums/o115/vulcan2074/000_0007.jpg

http://i118.photobucket.com/albums/o115/vulcan2074/000_0010.jpg

Heres the Links to Some of my MEGO Price Stickers. Wackers, Toy Castle, Kmart?

V~2074

[imp]

Thanks! I'll add 'em to the listing. Are you sure that last one is a Kmart sticker? I see the "K" on the sticker, but I've never seen a Kmart sticker like that one.

-b

[palitoy]

weird, I took a bunch this evening as well. I'll have them here tomorrow.

[imp]

weird, I took a bunch this evening as well. I'll have them here tomorrow.

Can't wait! Thanks, Brian.

-b

[vulcan2074]

Thanks! I'll add 'em to the listing. Are you sure that last one is a Kmart sticker? I see the "K" on the sticker, but I've never seen a Kmart sticker like that one.

-b

You know, Now that you mention it, I'm not sure what it is.

I also have some other mystery Price stickers on a couple of WGSH Boxes, but there just the Price only.

V~2074

[palitoy]

Here are some of my WGSH boxes, I have lots of other Mego product that I can add but don't know if that's kosher. If you want to keep it solely capes I can post them in Megobuzz.


http://www.megomuseum.com/dump/fap.jpg
The classic.

http://www.megomuseum.com/dump/ffp.jpg
I have a couple of Korvette's items, I never realised how awful my Mr F box is....

http://www.megomuseum.com/dump/rp.jpg

Ah TV Superstars, what the hell were you?

[imp]

Awesome, Brian. Thanks to you, I'm working on a new section of the Web site.

Also, Brian, I'd love to see other price stickers, regardless of which toy they adorn. Please let me know the toys, of course, but it needn't be specific to 8" or WGSH!

If anyone else has pics of price stickers on Mego items, I'd love to see them and add them into the fray.

Thanks!

-b

[ScottA]

1973 Mego Corp Batman Enemy Penguin Action Figure Doll - eBay (item 220274772375 end time Sep-02-08 17:50:29 PDT) (http://cgi.ebay.com/1973-Mego-Corp-Batman-Enemy-Penguin-Action-Figure-Doll_W0QQitemZ220274772375QQihZ012QQcategoryZ1169Q QssPageNameZWDVWQQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem)

This auction has a boxed Penguin with a Grants sticker on the front. Unfortunately he's standing in front of most of it. There is also one on the boxed Riddler he has for sale and I'm betting there is one on the Joker as well. If I win one of them I'll send a better pic.

I'll also send you whatever I have from anything in my collection.

[vulcan2074]

Benjamin
I started organizing my Collection and heres another one thats not on your list. This ones Wieboldts. Also a Generic Price Sticker on a Boxed Spiderman.
Sammy

http://i118.photobucket.com/albums/o115/vulcan2074/wieboldtspricesticker.jpg

http://i118.photobucket.com/albums/o115/vulcan2074/mysterypricesticker.jpg

http://i118.photobucket.com/albums/o115/vulcan2074/organizingMEGOs.jpg

I'm pretty sure I got more on some Star Trek stuff. I'll take a look.

[imp]

Benjamin
I started organizing my Collection and heres another one thats not on your list. This ones Wieboldts. Also a Generic Price Sticker on a Boxed Spiderman.
Sammy

Sammy,

Thanks for the great pics!

I've added "Weiboldt's" to the list. LMK if you find any new price sticker photos to add to the list of Mego sellers!

-b

[LOU]

Yeah, I've had several Mego items over the years with that "TV SuperStars" price tag. It was on a few of my 8-inchers and on a few my Comic Action Heroes when I had them.

[vulcan2074]

Benjamin
I just finished Going through the Collection and I have 7 Price Stickers. You have them all on Your list but theres a couple of Pictures that you dont have. Also another Mystery Sticker and an Unusual Sears Sticker


http://i118.photobucket.com/albums/o115/vulcan2074/AndorianLionelPriceStkr.jpg

http://i118.photobucket.com/albums/o115/vulcan2074/DaleArdenSearsPriceStkr.jpg

http://i118.photobucket.com/albums/o115/vulcan2074/DrZarkovGrandwayPriceStkr.jpg

http://i118.photobucket.com/albums/o115/vulcan2074/NeptunianChildWorldStkr.jpg

http://i118.photobucket.com/albums/o115/vulcan2074/PhaserTargetGamePlayWorldStkr.jpg

http://i118.photobucket.com/albums/o115/vulcan2074/StarTrekBridgeKresgeStkr.jpg

http://i118.photobucket.com/albums/o115/vulcan2074/TheKeeperMysteryStkr.jpg

Andorian--Lionel
Dale Arden--Unusual Sears Sticker
Dr Zarkov--Grandway
Neptunian--ChildWorld
Phaser Game--Play World
Star Trek Bridge--Kresge
The Keeper--Mystery Sticker

Sammy

[shooby32]

Page 155 of WGT, the boxed Green Goblin has a price sticker for Kiddie World, which was here in Santa Clara California until just a few years ago.

Also, to reitterate, Sav-On Drugs stores out here in the area carried Megos (boxed, if I remember correctly!) ^_^

...neither are on your list.. :)

Matt

[MarkStalcup]

You also don't have 3D listed. In Indiana, at least, 3D was a predecessor to Wal-Mart, and always had a ton of Megos. It was a larger scale version of Danner's. Danner's Discount Department Store (Hence 3D) and one of the corporate executives/family who owned the store chain now is a hippie guitar teacher and generally cool guy who runs an antique shop in downtown Linton, Ind. named John Danner. He's a great guy, he has tons of classic vinyl records for sale, and his store is known variously as Danner & Co., Tapdancin' Bats, or Danner's. Very cool place. His old 3D store had a gumball machine selling Mego Apes stickers, and closed around Christmas 1986.

[MarkStalcup]

Oh, and Pielemier's Drugstore in Bloomfield, Ind. Small, family-owned store.

[imp]

Benjamin
I just finished Going through the Collection and I have 7 Price Stickers. You have them all on Your list but theres a couple of Pictures that you dont have. Also another Mystery Sticker and an Unusual Sears Sticker

Andorian--Lionel
Dale Arden--Unusual Sears Sticker
Dr Zarkov--Grandway
Neptunian--ChildWorld
Phaser Game--Play World
Star Trek Bridge--Kresge
The Keeper--Mystery Sticker

Sammy

Hi Sammy,

Dude, you ROCK! Can I just say: Not only did you send incredibly awesome price stickers, but you actually took the time to NAME each file with a sensible title! That is absolutely brilliant, and I thank you for that.

I am really fascintated by the final "Mystery Sticker." I don't recognize the retailer either, but how cool is it that the word "MEGO" is printed right on the sticker?!

Great work, Sammy. I'll update the article with your contributions shortly.

-b

[imp]

Page 155 of WGT, the boxed Green Goblin has a price sticker for Kiddie World, which was here in Santa Clara California until just a few years ago.

Also, to reitterate, Sav-On Drugs stores out here in the area carried Megos (boxed, if I remember correctly!) ^_^

...neither are on your list.. :)

Matt

Hi Matt,

NICE, man. NICE! Right beneath my nose, and I somehow missed it. How many times did I look at that "Kiddie World" price sticker (on my own Green Goblin figure, no less) while working on the book… and yet I still missed it?!

You're an eagle-eye, and I thank you.

I have added both "Kiddie World" and "Sav-On Drugs" to the list. Great job, Matt.

-b

[imp]

You also don't have 3D listed. In Indiana, at least, 3D was a predecessor to Wal-Mart, and always had a ton of Megos. It was a larger scale version of Danner's. Danner's Discount Department Store (Hence 3D) and one of the corporate executives/family who owned the store chain now is a hippie guitar teacher and generally cool guy who runs an antique shop in downtown Linton, Ind. named John Danner. He's a great guy, he has tons of classic vinyl records for sale, and his store is known variously as Danner & Co., Tapdancin' Bats, or Danner's. Very cool place. His old 3D store had a gumball machine selling Mego Apes stickers, and closed around Christmas 1986.

Hi Mark,

Thanks for the great information! I have added both "3D" and "Pielemier's Drugstore" to the list.

BTW, your icon has to be the greatest, most "EMO" MySpace-style picture I've ever seen! Is that you?! It screams, "Man, this world sucks. Please leave me alone. I'm gonna go listen to Morrisey. I might even cut myself. Don't try to stop me. Unless you have to."

Brilliant. Man, I love it!!

:smiley1:

Seriously, though. It makes me wish I still had long, foppish hair. Sigh. I guess I'll never be cool again.

-b

[palitoy]

http://www.plaidstallions.com/toystores/3d.jpg

[vulcan2074]

Your Very Welcome Benjamin.

I'm always Glad to Help. As soon as I saw the Words MEGO on it, I Thought Wow, Thats so Cool, I just got to Share it.

Sammy

[MarkStalcup]

Hey Benjamin...yeah, that pic is me...taken by a lady I'm dating, Christina, last fall...never thought of it as emo, but man, that's too funny! It was just the pic I had handy when I sent my info to MegoMuseum to re-sign up. Christina liked the way it made my eyes look, so I kept it. Didn't smile because I think I look goofy smiling.

I have to admit I'm old enough (39) that I've had to ask people in their 20s what emo is, and haven't ever gotten a good answer...I guess Death Cab for Cutie counts, but the Cure and Smiths were from my high school days...are they? And I've heard My Chemical Romance either is or isn't.

Either way, I'm listening to the Doors and Nickelback right now...so I don't think I'm an emo kid, even if I do wear all black. (It stays clean easier.) :-) Also, not real big into cutting (life's painful enough as it is, isn't it?) and while I may think the world's cruel at times, that's more from being a lawyer and journalist...not from sitting in the dark listening to Bauhaus or walking in the rain reading poetry or whatever it is emo kids do.

Glad I could help with the info. Sadly, I just learned Danner's even closing his antique store, to go work at a recycling program, this weekend. I will ask him if he has any Mego memories, etc. because they sold a lot of those...up until like 1983-85.