Episode 140: The Demise & Potential Comeback of Ames Department Stores; Old School Mall Portrait Studios; Best-Selling Atari 2600 Games(4-17-2024)

In My Footsteps: A Cape Cod and New England Podcast

The rise and fall, and rise again(possibly) of Ames Department Stores. Old school trips to the mall to get professional photos taken. The best-selling Atari 2600 games ever.
Episode 140 returns after a week off filled with fun nostalgia.
It begins with the story of a Northeast staple for decades. Generations of those who grew up in that part of the United States likely have fond memories of shopping at the Ames Department Stores. However the rise of competition like Walmart and Target, along with other issues, eventually spelled the end of Ames. Now there is a possibility that the chain that once was the 4th largest in the country could be making a comeback. We'll cover all of it from the rise, to the fall, to the potential comeback.
In the days before smartphones and digital cameras getting a photograph professionally taken was a chore. At times one had to venture out to an actual portrait studio. Luckily for many that grew up in decades past these types of studios could often be found in the local mall, especially Sears. We go way Back In the Day to reminisce about what it was like getting photos taken at Sears and other studios in the 1980s and beyond.
For Gen-Xers, the Atari 2600 was the first memorable home video game console. It brought many arcade games, and some non-arcade titles, into people's living rooms. But which titles were the most popular? This week's Top 5 will share the best-selling Atari 2600 games ever.
There will also be a new This Week In History and Time Capsule centered around the first ever 'World Championship' boxing match from the mid-19th century.
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Helpful Links from this Episode

• The Lady of the Dunes.com
• Purchase My New Book Cape Cod Beyond the Beach!
• In My Footsteps: A Cape Cod Travel Guide(2nd Edition)
• Hooked By Kiwi - Etsy.com
• Wear Your Wish.com - Clothing, Accessories, and more
• DJ Williams Music
• KeeKee's Cape Cod Kitchen
• Christopher Setterlund.com
• Cape Cod Living - Zazzle Store
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• Initial Impressions 2.0 Blog
• Retro Games.cz - Play Old Games Online
• Ames Stores.com

Listen to Episode 139 here

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