99 Cents Last Dance

Howdy folks, and welcome back to Houston Historic Retail. Today, we’re having a closeout on photos of the 99 Cents Only Store’s final days. The photos were all taken within the chain’s last two weeks of business and show how much was actually left, which was quite a bit for a liquidation. Rather than getting into the nitty-gritty of the chain’s downfall, I want to take a moment to wax poetic. My experiences with this chain started when I first arrived in Houston. It was my grandparents who constantly wanted to go, and learning to drive around this time, it became a fun task taking them here, as opposed to the drug store. I could almost always find some bargain that piqued my interest. Often, it was a discontinued snack food or odd drink (something I still fall for today), but sometimes the finds were more practical, like an LED touch light I still have. Still, I always enjoyed coming back, and then, like many others, I just sort of stopped going. I would still occasionally drive my grandparents now and again, but what had been weekly trips fell back to monthly and eventually none. I honestly think that for about ten years, I didn’t step foot in a 99 Cents Only store from about 2012-2022 when I returned for an article last year, not knowing the chain was in a precarious state.

2516 Avenue H, Rosenberg, TX 77471 –  To become Ollie’s Bargain Outlet

3111 N Fry Rd, Katy, TX 77449 – To become Dollar Tree

14310 Westheimer Rd, Houston, TX 77077 – Unknown Future

The death of the 99 Cents Only Store occurred swiftly and under somewhat odd circumstances. Long-time Houstonians likely remember the chain near-exit from Texas, which was stopped at the last minute, closing a few failing stores instead. Texas would even rebound, reopening about 1/3 of the closed locations. It was also their final “growth market,” with a new store opening in El Paso only months before liquidation and two stores on the drawing board in South Texas ending up canceled during the announcement. It was a sad state of affairs and gives some rationale to the idea that maybe, just maybe, 99 Cents Only may not bite the dust. The reality, however, was far different, and to some more conspiratorial folks, it may even seem like its death was manufactured to squeeze out remaining cash. In the end, though, we have the sad demise of a once great store. During my last few visits, I could tell that while the 99 Cent Store had changed over the years, the core was still there, and unfortunately, I don’t think Dollar Tree, Ollie’s, or any other replacement tenant will properly fill that void.