Radio Shack and Western Auto Assoc Stores

There are a number of Radio Shacks that operate independently still today. I have never set foot in one though. Even back in the day there were independent TV shops that carried some of the RadioShack product line. We had one of those local to us here in MN for about 25 years.

I became an electronic hobbyist in the mid to late 70's and RadioShack was my nirvana for a spell. Was there multiple times a week for years. Then in 1984 I learned about a company called DigiKey up in Thief River Falls, MN that was started in the 70's by a ham that I have met. He had created a kit that was a digital Morse code keyer (DigiKey) so the company started with that product along with selling parts to hobbyists. They have since become one of the largest electronic part retailers in the US but they have never forgot their roots and they still sell individual parts to hobbyists. You can buy most anything from them made by reputable manufacturers with full factory data sheets.

Even after I started to buy from DigiKey (and Mouser etc), I'd still go into a RadioShack from time to time to try to grab something unplanned. The rub was they often didn't have the part I needed, or if they did it was lousy no-name quality. Even though I dabble with electronics daily, I'm ok with their being no local RadioShack. In their last two decades they were just a disappointment for me. Of course I'd love to have a local parts retailer that stocked and sold good stuff, but I doubt that anyone could make it work today.


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Post# 1131795 10/24/2021 at 09:46 (927 days old) by fan-of-fans (Florida)
Checkrate/Likes One Radio Shack is still open to the south of me. I think it's mainly a cell phone and framing shop (strange combo huh?) that is combined with a Radio Shack. Never been there though. All the other Radio Shacks in my area have closed (one strip mall location from the 80s and a newer location that was in the mall). In another town I saw a Radio Shack store that is also still open. It also sells appliances and lawnmowers. On Google it's listed as a "Western Auto Association Store". Never heard of this term, apparently there are still a few mom and pop stores still carrying that name. Looked at pictures inside the store and there appears to be Radio Shack style signage decor on the walls and fixtures, and there was still some "Wizard" branding on the walls as well from when Western Auto sold that brand. Pretty interesting. Has anyone heard of any of these stores still operating? My father worked at a Western Auto storefront store in high school.

Post# 1131804 , Reply# 1 10/24/2021 at 11:38 (927 days old) by petek (Ontari ari ari O )
Checkrate/Likes Radio Shack has been outta business for years and years. The name only has been licensed and sold to multiple outfits over those years. They're not real Radio Shacks of the past.. Much like all that junk like Tac Lights you see advertized on tv from Bell & Howell, those inexpensive RCA tvs .

Post# 1131805 , Reply# 2 10/24/2021 at 11:40 (927 days old) by Ultramatic (New York City)
Checkrate/Likes Yeah, Bell & Howell once meant quality. Now it's all Chinese junk.

Post# 1131809 , Reply# 3 10/24/2021 at 11:56 (927 days old) by wayupnorth (On a lake between Bangor and Bar Harbor, Maine)
Checkrate/Likes 1 Radio Shack was always the go to for any cable, connector or whatever you needed for your electronic device, sadly not any more.

Post# 1131818 , Reply# 4 10/24/2021 at 13:50 (926 days old) by fan-of-fans (Florida)
Checkrate/Likes I miss Radio Shack's toys and science/electronics kits as well. I've noticed Michael's Arts & Crafts does sell some similar science kits though.

Post# 1131820 , Reply# 5 10/24/2021 at 14:10 (926 days old) by Yogitunes (New Jersey)
Checkrate/Likes we have a local one here.....about a mile from my house..... they are my Go-To guys for computer repairs(very inexpensive).....among other things....electronics and phones and accessories ..... but I think this is more of a franchise type deal.....C and J Electronics.... but the true RadioShak stuff isn't there like it used to be..... CLICK HERE TO GO TO Yogitunes's LINK

Post# 1132486 , Reply# 6 11/1/2021 at 14:28 (918 days old) by Maytagmike (Burlington, Vt)
Checkrate/Likes *citation wringer washer* Good afternoon members, I have a citation wringer washer in my collection sold by Western Auto. The machine was built by Speed Queen. Runs well.

Post# 1132487 , Reply# 7 11/1/2021 at 15:00 (918 days old) by kb0nes (Burnsville, MN)
Checkrate/Likes 1 There are a number of Radio Shacks that operate independently still today. I have never set foot in one though. Even back in the day there were independent TV shops that carried some of the RadioShack product line. We had one of those local to us here in MN for about 25 years. I became an electronic hobbyist in the mid to late 70's and RadioShack was my nirvana for a spell. Was there multiple times a week for years. Then in 1984 I learned about a company called DigiKey up in Thief River Falls, MN that was started in the 70's by a ham that I have met. He had created a kit that was a digital Morse code keyer (DigiKey) so the company started with that product along with selling parts to hobbyists. They have since become one of the largest electronic part retailers in the US but they have never forgot their roots and they still sell individual parts to hobbyists. You can buy most anything from them made by reputable manufacturers with full factory data sheets. Even after I started to buy from DigiKey (and Mouser etc), I'd still go into a RadioShack from time to time to try to grab something unplanned. The rub was they often didn't have the part I needed, or if they did it was lousy no-name quality. Even though I dabble with electronics daily, I'm ok with their being no local RadioShack. In their last two decades they were just a disappointment for me. Of course I'd love to have a local parts retailer that stocked and sold good stuff, but I doubt that anyone could make it work today.

Post# 1132489 , Reply# 8 11/1/2021 at 15:15 (918 days old) by petek (Ontari ari ari O )
Checkrate/Likes Yeah, in their final years Radio Shack pretty much became an electronics toy store with few individual electronic parts available other than maybe one or two racks with bags hanging on them.