Former Tops Friendly Markets stores in North Olmsted, Ohio

Nicholas Eckhart
nicholas@deadanddyingretail.com

   

This is the first of the two former stores, this one is at 26350 Brookpark Road in North Olmsted, Ohio. This store was built as a Pick -N- Pay grocery store (I am unsure what year it opened). It later became a Finast grocery store in the early 1990s. This store was later renamed Tops Friendly Markets in 1999 after Ahold phased-out the Finast name. In 2002 Tops moved to a new store close by (photographed later in this post). This store reopened as a branch for Remington College shortly after. The original Pick -N- Pay facade is still intact, but Remington made some changes such as adding windows and a new entrance to this store.

The newer Remington College entrance.

This is the second former Top Friendly Markets store in North Olmsted,  Ohio. This store is at 26662 Brookpark Road Extension in North Olmsted, Ohio. This was a 57,357 square foot Tops store built in 2002 to replace the older one photographed before in this post. Sadly, Tops pulled out of Northeastern Ohio in December 2006.  Shortly after this Tops store closed a Sears Outlet store opened in the left part of the store and an Ollie's Bargain Outlet opened in the right part of  the store. Inside the Sears Outlet the interior has been greatly changed, but inside Ollie's the Tops look is still noticeable. Everything about the exterior seems to scream out the fact it was a Tops. A Blockbuster Video used to be located in the empty store at the left side of this photo. The shopping center is currently owned by Brixmor.

Notice this former Tops lobby has a Wall in the middle that separates Sears Outlet  and Oliie's Bargain Outlet

Another shot of this former Tops Friendly Markets store

The Giant Eagle store nearby that was once a competitor to Tops. Since there is not much competition in the area this store often has a packed parking lot and it is one of the Giant Eagle stores that is open 24 hours

Another shot of the North Olmsted Giant Eagle. The red "plug" entrance to a former Circuit City is partly visible to the far left.

Former Giant Tiger / Gaylord's in Lorain, Ohio

Nicholas Eckhart
nicholas@deadanddyingretail.com

     This building was built as a 60,000 square foot Giant Tiger discount store (a now defunct chain that was found in Northeastern Ohio) in 1967 at 2001 Elyria Avenue in Lorain, Ohio. Giant Tiger was acquired by Gaylord's in 1968. This store was only operated under the Giant Tiger name for only a year before it was re-branded as Gaylord's. The Gaylord's chain was acquired by Zayre in 1985, but I do not think this store was ever operated as a Zayre. Someone who used to shop here said this store was later operated as a Fisher's Big Wheel, but I could not find any definite proof of that.

     Since its use as a discount store this has been used as Displays Displays Displays Incorporated (now closed). Currently the 6 acre site seems to be in disrepair, but the site (at least part of it) is being used. It appears this building is being used as some type of warehouse or workshop.

     If anyone does have more information about this stores past please comment below or send an email to deadanddyingretail@gmail.com.

The following photos were taken on April 12, 2012

A newer building is built to the left, but the Giant Tiger is to the right.

I am not sure what was here (maybe a Garden Center), but the bricks look like they were not original.

A facade (looks to me like a Fisher's Big Wheel one) that was added later is peeling off and revealing the old brick facade from Giant Tiger.

This style facade was used on several area Fisher's Big Wheel stores, but I am uncertain if this store was ever one.

The closed-up store entrance

Some Displays Displays Displays Inc. signage

I am not sure what is here, but people were going in and out this door while I was here.

An uncovered up part of the Giant Tiger facade

The road sign currently displays "Displays Displays Displays Inc." signage.