Throwback Thursday: Back to School Shopping

It's that time of year again, back to school! Seeing all of those ads brings back memories of back-to-school shopping when we were kids. Many of us can agree that the names Guess Jeans, Trapper Keeper, Old Navy, and the term "layaway"  bring back memories for many of us.

Back-to-school shopping in Victoria. 

In Victoria in particular, stores like Weiners, Athletic Attic, Melvin's, Dunlaps, and we can't forget about the blue light special at K-Mart. Many drove out of town for back-to-school shopping at places like Solo Serve, Burlington Coat Factory, and Mervyn's. It's safe to say that many name brands, stores, and clothing brands are now a thing of yesteryear. Here are a few of the sights and sounds that will take you back!

READ MORE: Back-to-school shopping looked different in the '90s. 

The iconic Trapper Keeper

The Trapper Keeper screams the 1980s. The colors, the sound of the Velcro, and the memory of flexing at your locker that you had a Trapper Keeper. I know they brought back the Trapper Keeper in limited release. This TikTok video will bring back those memories.

@enterthe1980s#trapperkeeper#fyp#fy#enterthe1980s#classic#kids#school#schoollife#retro#80snostalgia#throwback#1980s#nostalgia#80s#funny#commercial♬ original sound - Enterthe1980s

The Legendary Blue Light Special at K-Mart

You just had to be there! The smell of the store, the cafe, and of course, the blue light. As K-Mart grew, it came out with Super K. Now, K-Mart is just a memory for many of us.

@genxfitrecovery Hey Gen❌, Who remembers Kmart? Not Target. Not Walmart. Kmart. Where the floors were always just a little too dirty, the popcorn was always a little too salty, and the blue light special made you feel like you were at a Vegas slot machine. You’d walk in with your mom and swear you were just getting socks, but somehow left with school clothes, a cassette tape, a knockoff Transformer, and a giant Icee in your hand. And don’t even get me started on layaway—the original buy now, pay later. We had Kmart Cafeterias, Little Caesars inside, and the best toy aisles that smelled like plastic dreams and cardboard adventure. And those holiday shopping trips? You’d get hidden in the clothing racks so your parents could “surprise you” later with the same toy you begged for in aisle 12. Kmart was where Gen X went to stock up before a road trip, grab batteries for the Walkman, or find that one cheap Halloween costume that smelled like melting rubber. It wasn’t fancy. It wasn’t curated. But it was ours. Drop a if you remember the blue light specials. Comment your favorite Kmart memory below. Let’s bring back the big red K energy for a minute. Much love Gen X—check in, show up, and as always… Look both ways and go with God. #GenX#GenXmemories#KmartNostalgia#BlueLightSpecial#RetroVibes#1980sKids#1990sThrowback#OldSchoolCool#GenXCheckIn#4U#FYP#Gen❌fitrecovery#NostalgiaTrip#WeRemember#LayawayLegends#KmartForever#genxvibes#gen❌#genxtiktokers♬ Don't You (Forget About Me) - Simple Minds

Get our free mobile app