Old Store Photos

ronsalvatore

ronsalvatore

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A friend of mine passed these along in hopes they'd cheer up those who are feeling low about this Palitoy affair. They're photos taken in stores, mostly in the mid-west, by Kenner in order to get a sense how the product looked at retail.

I don't think they need more commentary than that. You'll surely notice the same cool things that I noticed.

How many three-packs would you buy?

Enjoy.

https://dl.dropboxusercontent.com/u/95976445/sw1.jpg

https://dl.dropboxusercontent.com/u/95976445/sw2.jpg

https://dl.dropboxusercontent.com/u/95976445/sw3.jpg

https://dl.dropboxusercontent.com/u/95976445/sw4.jpg

https://dl.dropboxusercontent.com/u/95976445/sw5.jpg

https://dl.dropboxusercontent.com/u/95976445/swdisplay.jpg

https://dl.dropboxusercontent.com/u/95976445/esb1.jpg

https://dl.dropboxusercontent.com/u/95976445/esb2.jpg

https://dl.dropboxusercontent.com/u/95976445/esb3.jpg

https://dl.dropboxusercontent.com/u/95976445/esb4.jpg

https://dl.dropboxusercontent.com/u/95976445/esb5.jpg

https://dl.dropboxusercontent.com/u/95976445/rotj1.jpg

https://dl.dropboxusercontent.com/u/95976445/rotj2.jpg

https://dl.dropboxusercontent.com/u/95976445/rotj3.jpg

https://dl.dropboxusercontent.com/u/95976445/rotj4.jpg

https://dl.dropboxusercontent.com/u/95976445/rotj5.jpg
 
Oh, I should note that the one marked "swdisplay" is an internal photo showing a prototype display, not an actual store photo.
 
An absolute thing of beauty. Amazing the feelings of long lost familiarity that surge through when looking at those pics.

As a former toy store merchandiser, i really appreciate these photos as well as it's amazing how many people don't "get" merchandizing. Really a thing of beauty.
 
Thank you very much for posting these pics !!!! The esb 5 is ... AWESOME ! I don't remember seeing something like this in Belgium. Thanks Ron !
 
Beautiful. Thanks for sharing. Any story behind their existence - who took them and why?
 
Awesome pictures! Too bad I wasn't even born yet but cool to see!
 
What a stroll down memory lane! Wish I could just go back in time and pick out one of every single thing! Thanks for sharing!
 
Thanks for posting these, those overflowing pegs shots may well find there way to being my new wall paper. :D
 
Kevin_Lentz said:
Beautiful. Thanks for sharing. Any story behind their existence - who took them and why?
Click to expand...


You didn't read my intro! :^)

Kenner sent people in sales and/or marketing out to take photos of local-ish stores to get an idea how the product looked on shelves.
 
Oops! I was in such a hurry to get to the pics that I read the intro kinda fastish. Thanks again!

ronsalvatore said:
You didn't read my intro! :^)

Kenner sent people in sales and/or marketing out to take photos of local-ish stores to get an idea how the product looked on shelves.
Click to expand...
 
those are great. the second too because of the stretch armstrong and other great items ..oh to stroll down that isle again. I remember the ESB/ Jedi isles but not well the SW . I loved the stores back then like Kmart and Woolworth.

-james
 
Great Pics Ron! Thanks for the share! Can I post these up to the facebook SW advertising and display group?

-Will
 
Those are the first pictures that I have ever seen that truly capture the way the toy stores used to look back in the day. Thanks for sharing those Ron.
 
I remember those days in KB's, Toys R Us, and K-Mart. If I only new then what I know now...

Thanks for the photos, Ron. A nice little walk down memory lane!

Rob
 
I have dreams that look just like this, complete with the dark haziness. It's like someone scanned my brain while dreaming.
 
Some additional info on the photos, including dates and locations:


sw1 -- Modells, April 20th 1979 Lake Success, NY

sw2 -- Value City, October 5th 1979, Clarckwell, Indiana,

sw3 -- Value City november 2nd, 1979 East Kemper RD Cincinnati, OH

sw4 -- Meiers, November 27th 1979, Vancouver, WA

sw5 -- Capwells, October 31st, 1979 Oakland, CA

esb1 -- Westford, PA

esb2 -- JC Penny, September 1981, Harrisburg, PA

esb3 -- Kiddie City, November 22, 1981, Coleraine ave, Cincinnati, OH

esb4 -- Glenway, Novmeber 20th, 1981, Cincinnati, OH

esb5 -- unknown

rotj -- Sears in Oakbrook, IL on october 12th 1983 (though I think this isn't entirely accurate, as one shot shows KMart signage)

The photos are polaroids taken by regional sales reps and sent back to Kenner.
 
Ive been wondering if anyone had access to Kenners Storefront pics from this wonderful era??

Lo and behold - here they are..!!!

Thanks So much, Ron..!!!

Merry Xmas to all..!!

AB:grin:
 
Now this is a serious contribution - WOW

To quote Anchorman "I love you Ron"

Best part is this is a pure selfless give, no watermarks all over it and no issues with right click save. Thanks Santa
 
SydSwans said:
Now this is a serious contribution - WOW

To quote Anchorman "I love you Ron"

Best part is this is a pure selfless give, no watermarks all over it and no issues with right click save. Thanks Santa
Click to expand...

Glad you like. Thanks should go to my anonymous friend, though.

Maybe he'll send me some more. I know he has them!
 
Amazing, seeing all that old stock like that is the thing of dreams. People talk often about why we collect what we collect. Nostalgia is often mentioned. Not to get too dark but heroin addicts often seem to mention chasing the "first time" rush they get. I wonder if we aren't chasing the feeling of being an adult but walking down aisle pictured esb5.

PS: Ron if your friend has ANYTHING showing Knickerbocker stuff I would love to see it.
 
Last edited:
ronsalvatore said:
Glad you like. Thanks should go to my anonymous friend, though.

Maybe he'll send me some more. I know he has them!
Click to expand...

Oh absolutely thanks to Mr Anon too and to you for then delivering. Lets hope he delivers more generosity. I'm already looking at which ones are clear enough to get printed for my wall.
 
Ah, what a treat these are! Amazing photos Ron. I will never get tired of seeing stuff like this.

Who said 3 packs are rare? Look at all of them dripping off the pegs..

-Jeff
 
Jeff_R said:
Ah, what a treat these are! Amazing photos Ron. I will never get tired of seeing stuff like this.

Who said 3 packs are rare? Look at all of them dripping off the pegs..

-Jeff
Click to expand...

Compared to the wall of MOCs in esb5 the three packs truly are rare.
 
Thanks for sharing these pictures Ron.

Does de anyone else think its almost unbelievable seeing so many ROTJ all with clear bubbles... A time long gone...
 
colpar said:
Thank you very much for posting these pics !!!! The esb 5 is ... AWESOME ! I don't remember seeing something like this in Belgium. Thanks Ron !
Click to expand...

Yeah, ESB-5 is my favourite too..!! A wall of MOC's..!!!!!

Thnaks again, Ron...
 
The most awesome thing I had seen in my life 30+ years ago, and pretty much the most awesome thing I've seen this year too.
 
Hi Ron, these pics are awesome, so many pristine cards hanged on the shelves !!! Thankx for sharing !!

Hope this will bring contributions from other scummers :weeabooface:

stephane
 
Thanks for sharing! I grew up in a small town, so it was always an extra special trip to see this many Star Wars toys when I was a kid; these bring back some great memories!
 
Awesome - That first photo brings me back - I remember being at that store in Lake Success around the time - It was Modells on the first floor and Play World in the basement. They were sold out a lot of times of the key characters!
 
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