Hey! Welcome once again to Retail on the Thames! This post was originally going to put out a week ago, but laziness prevailed. So you guys are going to get two posts this week. The second post is going to be coming out on Friday, and it'll be about a fun explore I did earlier this month. But let's get to this post, which is about a former Circuit City (if you already couldn't tell by the title and thumbnail)
As we all know, Circuit City had became a name of the past amidst the Recession in 2009 as a result of their chainwide liquidation. Soon after that, a local New York electronics chain called P.C Richard & Son took advantage of the liquidation by expanding across Connecticut. This location had already opened by 2010 according to an article about another location opening up in Danbury. The chain had taken up quite a few former Circuit City locations, including ones in Newington (which remains untouched on the outside), Enfield (a former Media Play), and North Haven (PC remodeled the iconic "plug" facade Circuit City was known for on this one). Manchester's PC Richard also remains untouched like it's fellow Newington location, although the design of Manchester's is slightly newer than that on Newington's. Now that I've given some context, let's get to the pictures.
Approaching the building, you could see the hints of the building formerly being a Circuit City, such as the tall red entrance resembling an outlet plug. It feels kind of magical to see this place in person. This was the first former Circuit City I had ever visited, and I was in awe seeing a relic like this still being used, while maintaining a semblance that hints at what used to be. It makes us remember a time when video cameras took 8 millimeter tapes, and when photography cameras took 35 millimeter film. And where did you go for that video camera that captured those significant moments of your life? Circuit City. Where did you go to get those tapes that are sitting in a shoebox inside of a drawer located in your parents bedroom? Circuit City. There's almost a bittersweet type of feeling that comes with visiting place like this, and that's because it's a hint of the past of the modern world.
PC did such a good job preserving this place from the outside, which is sort of surprising, since North Haven's was renovated after PC moved in the building. Although it could've not gotten a renovation due to company budget restraints, which is definitely possible since Newington looks to be untouched on the outside.
These signs look to be original to Circuit City. I say this because these mini-signs advertising what the chain sold
were common on older locations. If so, this is a great discovery. I'm not surprised PC re-used this signage though, since they do sell many of the same things.
Can we just take a moment to appreciate how amazing this entrance is? I know finding repurposed Circuit City's isn't uncommon but man I love seeing these in the wild.
Here's the side of the store. Nothing special here, but this was still a really cool shoot.
See that building on the right side of the shot? That's another really cool find in this plaza. I'm not going to reveal what it is right now, but it's related to a chain that's not going to exist for much longer. A post will (eventually) be made about it.
That's it for this post! I'll see you all on Friday! (I promise)
-Simpsonfan311
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