10 Stores That Anyone Who Grew Up In Iowa Will Undoubtedly Remember

As time passes, businesses change hands. They declare bankruptcy, succumb to big-box retail giants, or just fade away. If you grew up in Iowa, you'll probably recognize a few of these stores from times gone by.

1. Pester Derby Gas Stations: Pester! It’s a Gas!

With 278 gas stations in 11 states, this familiar company is one Iowans of a certain age will certainly remember.

2. Pamida Discount Center: Bringing smaller communities what they want

The first store was in Knoxville, Iowa.

3. Montgomery Ward: Who waited patiently for the Christmas catalog every year?

Ah..1976…

4. Hinky Dinky: The Friendliest Stores in Town

The last Hinky Dinky grocery store closed in 2000. The chain had had 50 stores across Iowa, Nebraska, and South Dakota.

5. Ben Franklin: The five and dime discount store of small-town Iowa

Who remembers Ben Franklin? This one in Centerville closed just a few years ago.

6. A&W: Classic American Refreshment Since 1919

There’s one in Jefferson, but most A&W restaurants are now closed, sadly.

7. Armstrongs: With locations in Dubuque and Cedar Rapids, this high-end department store was once a lovely place to shop.

The Cedar Rapids store covered an entire block downtown. They closed in 1990.

8. Piggly Wiggly: They were the first self-service grocery store in the nation to mark prices on every item and provide checkout stands.

It seems like all of the Piggly Wiggly stores are in the southern states, now. That pig used to be a familiar sight in these parts, though.

9. Red Owl: With stores throughout the upper Midwest, this grocery store chain eventually became SuperValue.

The Red Owl chain originated in Green Bay.

10. Big Boy: Double decker cheeseburger with special sauce

Between 2001 and 2010, sales at Big Boy Restaurants dropped nearly 70%. Big Boy locations all over the Midwest closed.

Do any of these bring back memories? What stores do you remember from your years as an Iowan youngster?