I first went to Spencer’s with my dad at age 15 to buy an Adventure Time shirt. My dad didn’t like the atmosphere of the place and told me not to shop there again. We didn’t go to the back of the store. That would have been awkward.
Something similar happened to me. I think it mentally scarred my dad because not long after he took me inside he quickly ushered me out before I even saw anything more extreme than the gag gifts. He's never done anything like that before or since. When I was a little older and I wanted to go in there to buy something, he told me he'd be waiting outside, which again, he's never done for other stores. The funny thing is my dad's not even especially prudish. I never had the heart to ask him what he saw there the first time that left such a bad impression on him.
Man id love to see the reaction of the guy that created spencer's to what its become. Going from being started by a WWII vet selling plush radio dogs and drummer boy toothbrush holders to the sex toys, drug paraphernalia, pop culture merch, etc. that they sell today is quite the jump in brand image
I agree that I think he would be proud! He seemed like the kind of guy to say "I'll sell whatever kind of weird stuff I want - that's why I started the store!" There are still cool older folks that give zero fucks about "sensibility" and I applaud them!
I Managed a Spencer's gifts for 8 years and let me tell you, every Halloween they set up an additional spirit store in our mall all while we still sold costumes. They made us compete with Spiriit. We could only section out a small part for costumes as we had to follow " official" store spects so of course we did poorly. Every year I got a phone call for corporate that left me in tears for fallin short of our quota. The company is evil. They say its for 18+ but we were not allowed to keep children out. We also sold Pokemon cards which drew kids in. So much of that store was inappropriate for children, from sex toys to drug posters, but they didn't care. They successfully mixed adult toys and children's toy and no one seemed botherd by it.
Kids aren’t being corrupted by the sight of drug posters or “personally massagers”. People aren’t bothered because it honestly just isn’t that big a deal. But it sucks that they sabotaged you from meeting your quota. I hate hearing how these companies threat their staff so poorly.
I was an assistant manager for a couple years and I was always grateful we had a good district manager. I had a great time and left because they seriously underpaid us management
@TheGamingCasanova Misleading, yes - but not unclear. They're the people that 'bring you' Spirit Halloween every year! I live in a really random city that's quite isolated.. so someone who lives here had to be the one to set up the Halloween store - I could just never put my finger on who!
Spencer's and Hot Topic, aside from the occasional movie trip of course, are the only reasons I ever used to step foot in a mall. To this day they still make me feel nice and nostalgic.
@@crimsonlust02 Oh I agree, at the time of writing this I still had pandemic brain. I still enjoy visiting. To me it’s actually Hollister that’s the most intimidating store in the mall. Loud music (Distinct from Hot Topic’s in that it’s *bad* loud music) and chemical odors so strong I get dizzy not five minutes spent in there. 🙄
In the late 80's, Mall of Memphis location, "the back" was just the blacklight section, all dark and filled with glow in the dark stuff, so that's always where I headed first lol.
It’s very interesting to see how the logo/branding changed for Spencer. I remember a lot of these through the 90s until today. They had awesome gruesome masks. Teenage me often wandered into the adult section to browse. 😂
Might just be where my store was located, but I don't remember there being adult toys until around 2010 or so. I used to work in an adult store right around then and found out that unless they are actually shaped after male anatomy, not just something mildly phallic, we could get away with labeling them as "personal massage wands" and not have to consider them part of our adult toys. They always had such stupid shirts, like one with the Mountain Dew label that was changed to say "Mount and Do Me" and an "official stoner card" you could buy to show all your other middle school friends you were so cool and did drugs.
Plus one on the gruesome and to my young, teenager eyes, very real looking masks. There was definitely adult items at least as far back as 1984. Perhaps they backed off of carrying such things for a while, as I did not go in them much past the mid 90s.
7:18 it's so fitting that Spirit Halloween's flagship store is located in an abandoned Circuit City. As if being located in abandoned retail space is a prominent part of their identity
I'm 50 years old and go to a mall about once a year to buy Christmas gifts. You bet yer ass I ALWAYS go to the Spencers, it takes me back to 1984. We had Spencers at different malls in Iowa at least since the early 1980's; and I had forgotten about the catalogs that came in the mail! The Company Man rocks again!
@@Teraforce88 Same. I think it's a competition/proximity thing. Our BoxLunch and Hot Topic stores are closer together, but they're sister stores, so.... 🤷🏾♀️
I remember my first time in Spencer’s, I was a teenager. I had no clue what the store was about lol. I walk around and it seems normal, t shirt here, hat there.... but the back of the store is a entire different world. Now that’s grown up land 😂 I was so shocked, because I never knew about or saw adult toys and items before. I had so many questions and giggles. Now as an adult, I love it lol
Thank you, I'm a store manager for Spencers, and a district manager for spirit, I've watched your videos since you started, been waiting for this, ya just made my day, good research!!
Would really like one on Sonic's. Their coney footlong's and either blue raspberry or cherrylimeade slushies were my childhood. My mom used to work at Sonic's and the person watching me and my brothers when she was working would sometimes swing us by to say hi to her and for us to get something.
@@wyattpeek429 Sears went bankrupt and closed most of there stores and same with Kmart but there still in business but not as successful as they once was and you could shop online too
It used to be one of my favorite stores when I was in high school. Back in the late 80s and early 90s the store carried novelty items, jokes, Halloween stuff, and fully half the store was candy. It was so bizarre going in years later and seeing what it was now.
My local Toys R Us had a Kids R Us attached to it, so Spirit always found its way into the husk of the Kids R Us for years. And now this year they're holed up in the former Toys R Us.
My dad would take me to the Glenbrook Mall in Fort Wayne, IN as a kid in the late ‘70s. Spencer’s Gifts was always a stop off. I remember seeing all of the “adult” stuff there all mixed in with the regular stock, along with all of the black light-lit inventory which always amazed me. Fun fact: I was just a child, so I was mainly fascinated with all of the cool lighting and colors. When I grew up, and Hot Topic became a ‘thing’, I always loosely equated it with Spencer’s. I really appreciate that you took the time to do this video. It really really helps me gain so much more insight into a rather iconic place from my childhood.
@@eviln00b69 They were wrong, spencers doesn't sell sex toys to children, you need to have an ID to verify you are over 18 to purchase any of it. They were just being snowflakes.
@@DonnaDoveWinters It actually goes back to the early 1600's when a dutch explorer found the area around the inlet covered with seabird nests all filled with eggs. It's named after the Great Egg Harbor River which is named after Great Egg Harbor. There's also a Little Egg Harbor in a different county. It's so New Jersey.
I worked at one when I was 16. Best worst job I ever had. In 2006 when minimum wage went up, the company worried it would go under. There was a whole company-internal thing.
@@BewareTheLilyOfTheValley I could work in the store but I couldn’t sell that or jewelry. Weird Utah law. I’ll tell ya that they got a minimum wage effort from me, too. They push employees to sell contest items but don’t provide any incentives. One store manager offered a pizza party if we won in our district....yay.
@@BewareTheLilyOfTheValley most mall stores don't have very good margins, since the malls charge super high rent. if they don't have enough foot traffic, they often dont have more than a month or two before they are gone.
I'll always remember my "America The Beautiful" poster that I got from Spencer's; three beautiful, Star Spangled Swimsuit wearing women standing together, their swimsuits forming the American Flag. Beautiful, teenage, Spencer memories. :-)
I remember the Glow! stores; it was my absolute favorite store in any mall, and would refuse to leave without going inside of one. I’m so disappointed they aren’t around anymore. Even finding a picture of one has become nearly impossible. I had no idea they were connected to Spencer’s!
My 10 year old son is obsessed with your channel! He watches all episodes and has learned so much about companies, business and of course all the history and fun facts of companies-Maybe one day he'll be a company man! Who knows. Thank you for creating this channel!
Before this, I always thought Spirit Halloween was some random in-it-for-the-quick-buck type store (since there are these types of stores around me). While they still are, I didn't think about the history behind it or how big the company it was. A lot of my questions have been answered, and things make more sense now :I
I remember the first time hearing that the store dated back to the 40's I could hardly believe that it was older than 90% of the well established retails stores that exist today.
The last time I went into Spencer's, I was waiting in line to buy a wallet and overheard the cashier explaining to another customer that whips weren't returnable. I can see how that would put off a lot of people. I imagine that their biggest challenge right now isn't their image, but rather that they're a mall store.
There's really only one store that scares the f*ck outta me at my local mall. It's the Disney Store. The light is blinding and I can feel my wallet trying to escape my pocket as if it's being pulled in back some tractor beam. Yikes, Im getting goose pimples just thinking about it.
They got rid of the Disney store in my mall. Honestly, it was cool. I’ve been to a few others and I know what you were talking about, but mine was good. I miss it because it was my favorite Disney store I’ve been to
Have you ever heard of a place called "Oh, Wow!"? It was basically a Spencer's knock-off, I guess. One of our malls had an Oh, Wow!, and the other one had (and still has) a Spencer's. I've never seen another Oh, Wow! ever again though. I think it went away from our mall in the early 1990s if I remember correctly.
This Eighties Kid here hopes people out there remember the Small World Gift and Novelty stores. They were like Spencer's but had less adult items and focused more on kitsch and nostalgia. Granted, a lot of places that had gift areas at the time did, even Tower Records and J.K. Gill.
Used to be a Store Manager for Spencer’s. I can tell you sooooo many people would walk up to the register to say “It’s not for me” 😂😂 Some popular items while I was there were the fart machines, vibrating condoms, and lava lamps. “Life’s A Party And We’re Making It Fun” was our line when we answered the phone 😊🥳
I have never heard of Spencer’s in my life! I see Spirit stores literally everywhere, but for some reason, I don’t remember ever seeing a Spencer’s store before.
Consider yourself lucky. Imo they seem to be catering to the obnoxious frat boy types who seem to confuse being as crass and offensive as possible with having an actual personality.
When I was in college I applied for a job at Spencer's. They made me go on the floor and try to sell a Keychain that made fart sounds to random people. I decided to work at AOL instead.
As a kid my family was always kind of irreverent. My mom believed that she shouldn't hide reality from her kids and I always appreciated that. Every time we'd go to the mall we'd always stop by Spencer's just to look at all the funny nonsense, the toilet humor, the cool novelty accessories and yes, even weiners and boobies! I mean I was probably about 10-ish so the worst that would happen was that I giggled like a moron at the naughty parts. I know they had an 18+ only section but that didn't mean there wasn't still sexual stuff there to be seen. My mom was probably irresponsible but I loved it! Nowadays hot topic went from that goth store to just Spencer's with less sexual stuff.
It's somthing about Spencer's that I love. Its so fun wandering to the back where the x-rated toys, games, and items are. And trying to act like an "adult". Then snickering, when you and another person both see D--k shaped playing cards.
I remember when Spencer's was mostly a mail-order business. I bought a few items mostly kiddie toys and gadgets. I agree with you the present Spencer's is quite edgy carrying adult-oriented merchandise. I have to admit I was completely shocked the first time I entered Spencer's in the mall near my home. I don't go into that store anymore. Their history is interesting, though.
Been going to Spencer's since I was a teen. I've bought everything you can imagine. Tongue studs, rude shirts, adult toy for a gf, a blowup doll of Jenna Jameson as a prank gift for my bf. I think it's a fun store and not at all intimidating, cuz everyone is there for a good laugh.
You should do a video on the decline of Curves. My mom opened a Curves around 3 years ago and they were a pretty horrible franchise to work with. They tried to get as much money from her as possible and offered her very little help when it came to running the gym and dealing with customers. She closed her gym around 6 months ago at the start of the lock down when she wouldn't have been able to have it open anyway, and today she got a letter from Curves saying that she owed them around $31,000 for "early closing fees." She made very little money in the 2 years that she was open, most of the money went towards paying employees and the increasing costs of the franchise fees. There are quite a few other previous owners of Curves gyms that are getting letters saying that they owe Curves money as well.
Wow, the first Spencer's was in the Cherry Hill Mall! That was my local mall during my teens and 20's. 😊 Also, the corporate headquarters are located in Egg Harbor Township, NJ, which is very close to where I live now.
Every time I was let loose in the mall when the family went shopping back in the 70s and early 80s, I always went to three places every time: 1. The arcade (usually Aladdin's Castle) 2. Spencer's 3. The record store (usually Sam Goody)
Spencer's was always a destination in the late 70s/early 80s when I was around 11 to 13. They had all the blacklight posters in the back so you did have to walk by the adult shelves, which were risque but not obscene. The two blacklight bulbs I bought and still own came from Spencer's. They had some cool latex masks with hair, but were too expensive for me. They also had buttons at the counter that we liked to read. My parents never went in, which is probably why they didn't know it wasn't appropriate.
The one in the mall I grew up in had a 13 year or older sign in the front. So I was pumped to finally get to visit it after looking forward to it for years. And honestly, still stop in every time we go to a mall with one and I’m 27. It’s fun, cheeky, and you will always leaving with at least a few laughs. Also, it does have really specific gifts that make people feel special. The adult section doesn’t bother me but I never see anyone looking at it except bridal parties. And that’s a huge market that spends crazy money on anything! So I don’t blame them for keeping it.
I still dont understand how they get away with having that back wall in every store. We used to go back there in middle school and laugh at all stuff, makes me feel weird in hindsight though
I've been in spencers gifts decades ago and loved the store in Midway Mall Sherman Texas or Crossroads Mall in OKC. Never been to a Spirit Halloween. Loved Spencers gifts!
Apparently you never shopped the SPENCER'S in the Aurora Mall in Aurora, CO. The name was changed to the Aurora Town Center in an effort to distance itself from its questionable past. I refer to it as the Ghetto Town Center. There's still a SPENCER'S and it's still sketchy.
Something interesting about the local Spenser gifts where I live. During the pandemic they are the only store I’ve seen that’s actually enforcing a mask policy with a person at the entrance. I saw them flat Out tell a few People to go shop Somewhere else after they refused to put the mask over their nose and wear it right. Props to them for actually telling people that the mask don’t count unless it covers nose and mouth. And having the guts to turn customers away for not following sensible mask policies.
The liquor store at the mall down the street from me went out of business & is now a Spirit Halloween location. Learning about the clothing store & the origin of Spencer's is incredibly interesting. Now I know how Spirit Halloween came to exist in the way it does today. Thank You Company Man
I bought a 1969 Spencer Gift Catalogue and made it into xmas cards. That adult theming stretched back then too. The descriptions of the items are top tier marketing speak. My favors include, "have a drink" hospitality lamp - a glass lamp of a drunk guy in a top hat leaning against personalize home bar sign post & Shimmering Sleep Bikini, gold or silver lamé to show off your "sparkling personality"! A few scary clowns and a lot of weird kitschy crap. I remember Spencers from the mid-late 90's.
I've never considered either store "intimidating." Hot Topic has always been the angsty, edgy teen store and Spencer's is the schlocky place those previously edgy teens buy stuff to remain edgy as college students and post-grads. That's how I've always seen it. Both stores are kinda cringey when you get down to it. Anytime I've ever been into either was to buy gag gifts or purposefully low-brow party favors as an in-joke with friends.
The mall near me with Spenser’s as one of the first stores you see, and Spirit opening up right across the street every year, makes it only too convenient to go there all the time. I love those stores
Spencer’s to me SCREAMS early 00’s (my teen years) our mall had one, I bought a cool laser pointer from there one time, my high school sweetie loved that store
I used to be so intimidated by the store as a child that i thought if I even looked in the general direction of the window of the store my mom would yell at me
Funny, I haven't been in a Spencer's for years. I just remember them from the 90s, when it was nothing but junk jewelry and sketchy adult-ish novelties that most people would be embarrassed to be seen buying. I'm honestly a bit surprised they're still around, but the whole Spirit thing definitely explains it.
I remember going in Spencer's when I was like 13 and going to the back with some of my friends and the lady at the register was not having it lol. Always loved that place have gotten several lava lamps and black lights from there, pong tables t-shirts posters lasers snacks, laughed a lot at the adult stuff... that place is always worth a walk through.
The first time I went into a Spencer's I honestly didn't know what it was. I just saw the shirts and such at the front and thought it was something comparable to Hot Topic. But then I went to the back and was like! wow cool mall trip! absolutely fun store to go in with my parents :) /s. Very strange that they allow minors into that store.
In middle school, my dad said, "let's check out spencers it looks cool." it was a trip we never spoke of again.
I first went to Spencer’s with my dad at age 15 to buy an Adventure Time shirt. My dad didn’t like the atmosphere of the place and told me not to shop there again. We didn’t go to the back of the store. That would have been awkward.
Shhhhhh 😆
I had a similar experience but it was me saying "lets check it out" and it was with my mom. We never spoke of it again either.
lmaoooooooooooooo
Something similar happened to me. I think it mentally scarred my dad because not long after he took me inside he quickly ushered me out before I even saw anything more extreme than the gag gifts. He's never done anything like that before or since. When I was a little older and I wanted to go in there to buy something, he told me he'd be waiting outside, which again, he's never done for other stores. The funny thing is my dad's not even especially prudish. I never had the heart to ask him what he saw there the first time that left such a bad impression on him.
It’s kinda beautiful how a Halloween store descends upon the corpses of each year’s failed retail stores.
A Bittersweet Symphony if you will
Well when you put it that way
A good business model I'd say.
@@BeelzeJon *(cue violin intro)*
Very beautiful indeed
Man id love to see the reaction of the guy that created spencer's to what its become. Going from being started by a WWII vet selling plush radio dogs and drummer boy toothbrush holders to the sex toys, drug paraphernalia, pop culture merch, etc. that they sell today is quite the jump in brand image
He'd be so proud
He would say "Maybe i was too harsh on this Hilter guy"
That would be an interesting reaction to see.
I bet he'd be proud. I mean, what else is America about, besides having the FREEDOM to sell taboo items in open marketplaces? 😂
I agree that I think he would be proud! He seemed like the kind of guy to say "I'll sell whatever kind of weird stuff I want - that's why I started the store!" There are still cool older folks that give zero fucks about "sensibility" and I applaud them!
I’ll never forget running into my vice principal in the ehem adult selection at a Spencer’s as a teen
So, did you two learn anything about each other?
......And then what happened 👀
That's worse than running into someone you know
gross
lmaooo
I Managed a Spencer's gifts for 8 years and let me tell you, every Halloween they set up an additional spirit store in our mall all while we still sold costumes. They made us compete with Spiriit. We could only section out a small part for costumes as we had to follow " official" store spects so of course we did poorly. Every year I got a phone call for corporate that left me in tears for fallin short of our quota.
The company is evil. They say its for 18+ but we were not allowed to keep children out. We also sold Pokemon cards which drew kids in. So much of that store was inappropriate for children, from sex toys to drug posters, but they didn't care. They successfully mixed adult toys and children's toy and no one seemed botherd by it.
@TheGamingCasanova bootlicker
@TheGamingCasanova if you sell to children, your a children's store.
Kids aren’t being corrupted by the sight of drug posters or “personally massagers”. People aren’t bothered because it honestly just isn’t that big a deal. But it sucks that they sabotaged you from meeting your quota. I hate hearing how these companies threat their staff so poorly.
I was an assistant manager for a couple years and I was always grateful we had a good district manager. I had a great time and left because they seriously underpaid us management
If you care so much about kids, how about you start paying attention to the pedophiles in your government?
Spencer's taught me about sex and fog machines
Man, I wanted that fog machine sooooo bad! 🤣
Yeah. That fog machine would be great fun in the bedroom.
holyy dead channel
And the strip club confirmed it for me
The two great importances of life.
Two seconds in - "They're also the people behind Spirit Halloween"
Everyone - Ahhhhhhhhh..... That makes sense.
@TheGamingCasanova Im kind of curios had they made money out of season tho
@TheGamingCasanova Misleading, yes - but not unclear. They're the people that 'bring you' Spirit Halloween every year!
I live in a really random city that's quite isolated.. so someone who lives here had to be the one to set up the Halloween store - I could just never put my finger on who!
Literally my reaction
I've never heard of Spirit until this video.
Spencer’s is like every souvenir shop at the beach boardwalk rolled into one.
Well put. I think it's like the inside of one of those crane games.
@@malcolmapplet4313 Adult crane games
in the warm california sun
B O A R D W A L K
free admission with can of pepsi
Hehe th-cam.com/video/VFkxXzWwpek/w-d-xo.html
Spencer's and Hot Topic, aside from the occasional movie trip of course, are the only reasons I ever used to step foot in a mall. To this day they still make me feel nice and nostalgic.
Still the only reason I step foot in them now!
@@crimsonlust02 Oh I agree, at the time of writing this I still had pandemic brain. I still enjoy visiting. To me it’s actually Hollister that’s the most intimidating store in the mall. Loud music (Distinct from Hot Topic’s in that it’s *bad* loud music) and chemical odors so strong I get dizzy not five minutes spent in there. 🙄
@@bespectacledheroine7292 Hollister, A&F, and Gap all made me run past.
@@crimsonlust02 Unfortunately I have a younger sister. Enough said.
Wait, Gordon Brothers owns Spirit? That’s one of main companies that handles store liquidations and closings. Interesting....
Well, guess that explains why all the stores are always in vacant stores.
no more, they are privately held. GB is a company that turns around underperforming companies as well
Is that the smoky,burnt toast smell of corporate conspiracy I'm picking up? No? Just burnt toast,then?
@@CoopDVille-rx3hp i think you’re having a stroke sir
That had occurred to me,actually. I couldn't remember whether it was the smell of toast or pennies.
I'm always a little weirded out by how the adult "playthings" in Spencer's are positioned at a kid's eye level.
It gets the joj done right.
Please make a YTP of Company Man
Yeah, now that I think of it, that does sound weird.
dima vank
How else do you think they get future customers 😁
Dont lie, when you were 13 you went into Spencers with your friends and thought it was the funniest stuff ever
True.
I have never heard of Spencer’s until this video
Nope. I don't think my local mall had a Spencers until I was 18.
always liked looking at the controversial posters about weed and liquor and also blacklights
Yep
I buy all my clothes at Spirit.
drip
Geez. Do they even last till the next halloween
You must be a VERY sexy nurse
They sell pants now? Thought it was only shirts and costumes
I like too
Anyone else have Spencer’s and Hot Topic right next to each other at their mall?
Yeah, three malls in our area have the same set up. I wonder if it’s a purposeful thing... feels like a good idea.
Me
Yep
In my local mall they’re right across from each other, like edgy rivals
ya boy paul same haha
I always love looking at the backpacks there and then screaming about why their so expensive
Also all the adult stuff is in the very back in mine
@@cleanestmidwestemofan that is the way for all of them
I remember getting dared to go to “the back” of Spencer’s when I was a kid
In the late 80's, Mall of Memphis location, "the back" was just the blacklight section, all dark and filled with glow in the dark stuff, so that's always where I headed first lol.
@@epowell4211 I mean if you go to the back with a black light you might get the same experience
@@billykobiella9559 I'm pretty horrified by that lol
@@epowell4211 I guess I was never always porn
@@epowell4211 now days in the Memphis mall that’s where all adult stuff is. Black light stuff is midway back
It’s very interesting to see how the logo/branding changed for Spencer. I remember a lot of these through the 90s until today. They had awesome gruesome masks. Teenage me often wandered into the adult section to browse. 😂
Might just be where my store was located, but I don't remember there being adult toys until around 2010 or so. I used to work in an adult store right around then and found out that unless they are actually shaped after male anatomy, not just something mildly phallic, we could get away with labeling them as "personal massage wands" and not have to consider them part of our adult toys. They always had such stupid shirts, like one with the Mountain Dew label that was changed to say "Mount and Do Me" and an "official stoner card" you could buy to show all your other middle school friends you were so cool and did drugs.
Plus one on the gruesome and to my young, teenager eyes, very real looking masks.
There was definitely adult items at least as far back as 1984. Perhaps they backed off of carrying such things for a while, as I did not go in them much past the mid 90s.
7:18 it's so fitting that Spirit Halloween's flagship store is located in an abandoned Circuit City. As if being located in abandoned retail space is a prominent part of their identity
Appropriate that a Halloween store called "Spirit" only occupies, or "haunts" dead stores. lol.
For some reason Sears needed a giant skyscraper in a big expensive city, that says a lot.
@@nslouka90 Sears was founded on Illinois, so of course they wanted a building in Chicago.
@Lesbian Amazon Sister 😼👊💃
@Lesbian Amazon Sister means "I agree."
I'm 50 years old and go to a mall about once a year to buy Christmas gifts. You bet yer ass I ALWAYS go to the Spencers, it takes me back to 1984. We had Spencers at different malls in Iowa at least since the early 1980's; and I had forgotten about the catalogs that came in the mail! The Company Man rocks again!
where ever there is a spencers, there is almost a guarantee there is also a hot topic near by if not out right next door
Lol in my local mall, Spencer's and Hot Topic are almost on opposite ends for some reason :/
@@Teraforce88 Same. I think it's a competition/proximity thing.
Our BoxLunch and Hot Topic stores are closer together, but they're sister stores, so.... 🤷🏾♀️
I’m watching this while on my lunch break at Spencer’s.. great timing lol
So, after your brake was over, did you feel inclined to school co-workers?
That's pretty meta.
Nice.
Epic
if i had to figure out where you worked by only seeing your face and name id guess spencers
Spencer's is like that highschool friend you haven't talked to for 20 years who starts getting into a MLM
Hi
It's scary how much time you spend on youtube
Why, do I see your comments everywhere?
@Michael Patrick I'd say he's doing better than most.
ily king
I remember my first time in Spencer’s, I was a teenager. I had no clue what the store was about lol. I walk around and it seems normal, t shirt here, hat there.... but the back of the store is a entire different world. Now that’s grown up land 😂 I was so shocked, because I never knew about or saw adult toys and items before. I had so many questions and giggles. Now as an adult, I love it lol
Thank you, I'm a store manager for Spencers, and a district manager for spirit, I've watched your videos since you started, been waiting for this, ya just made my day, good research!!
I went to a Spencer’s then some 8 year old went to the counter and said “I didn’t know y’all sold microphones” Lmao
“Why’s it vibratin’ like that?”
@@himwhoisnottobenamed5427 “wait a second- my mom has one of those microphones!!”
@@mellobii Well, at least it’s not your girlfriend/wife.
@@himwhoisnottobenamed5427 ngl i’d buy it for her
More ideas: why sonic drive-in is successful, how sears is doing and I know I seen the sears video but it be an update on how there doing
Sears is done.
Would really like one on Sonic's. Their coney footlong's and either blue raspberry or cherrylimeade slushies were my childhood. My mom used to work at Sonic's and the person watching me and my brothers when she was working would sometimes swing us by to say hi to her and for us to get something.
@@nawfsidereviews6029 I still see some sears open so I am still confused about what is going on
Sonic really missed the shot at working with movie theaters drive ins. God that'd be great.
@@wyattpeek429 Sears went bankrupt and closed most of there stores and same with Kmart but there still in business but not as successful as they once was and you could shop online too
It used to be one of my favorite stores when I was in high school. Back in the late 80s and early 90s the store carried novelty items, jokes, Halloween stuff, and fully half the store was candy. It was so bizarre going in years later and seeing what it was now.
they still sell ALL of that tho. its one corner with sex toys, and the bongs are ussally at the counter
Also, when he said Spirit Halloween rents out the buildings of failed businesses like many we see on this channel, THE SHADE Company Man!! haha
My local spirit Halloween store rents out the old toys r us building every October ( it used to be by Chuck e cheeses)
@@aliceangel7644 F in the chat for Toys R Us
My local Toys R Us had a Kids R Us attached to it, so Spirit always found its way into the husk of the Kids R Us for years. And now this year they're holed up in the former Toys R Us.
How is that shade?
Mine is the old Circuit City. 😂
My dad would take me to the Glenbrook Mall in Fort Wayne, IN as a kid in the late ‘70s. Spencer’s Gifts was always a stop off. I remember seeing all of the “adult” stuff there all mixed in with the regular stock, along with all of the black light-lit inventory which always amazed me. Fun fact: I was just a child, so I was mainly fascinated with all of the cool lighting and colors. When I grew up, and Hot Topic became a ‘thing’, I always loosely equated it with Spencer’s. I really appreciate that you took the time to do this video. It really really helps me gain so much more insight into a rather iconic place from my childhood.
My favorite thing about Spencer's was going inside the store as a kid alone and avoiding eye contact with the employees
When I was a kid this "home church" stood outside Spencers warning people it was selling "sex to children", mall security threw them out lol
Those warnings only further piqued my interest, TBH.
They weren't exactly wrong but younger me sure as hell didn't care lol
@@eviln00b69 They were wrong, spencers doesn't sell sex toys to children, you need to have an ID to verify you are over 18 to purchase any of it. They were just being snowflakes.
Ugh I hate those people
@@Anitamustdie... Don’t worry. We hate you too.
i didnt know the spencers in my local mall was the first one ever
Yeah cherry hill mall!
The headquarters is in egg harbor township
lol, I was thinking the same thing. Yo Ive been there
@@DellyMeatz13 Wait, there's a city called Egg Harbor? Hahaha
@@DonnaDoveWinters It actually goes back to the early 1600's when a dutch explorer found the area around the inlet covered with seabird nests all filled with eggs. It's named after the Great Egg Harbor River which is named after Great Egg Harbor. There's also a Little Egg Harbor in a different county.
It's so New Jersey.
The mall n spencers were a vital part of my growing up. Laughing at the " personal massagers" , its always a store to visit when im at the mall
Hot Topic: "I am the King of Edgelord Apparel."
Spencer's: "Hold my Beers".
Hot topic is the edge lord, Spencer's is the weird kid.
I worked at one when I was 16. Best worst job I ever had.
In 2006 when minimum wage went up, the company worried it would go under. There was a whole company-internal thing.
...They let you work there even with the adult items? Oh mai, lol!
@@BewareTheLilyOfTheValley
I could work in the store but I couldn’t sell that or jewelry. Weird Utah law.
I’ll tell ya that they got a minimum wage effort from me, too. They push employees to sell contest items but don’t provide any incentives. One store manager offered a pizza party if we won in our district....yay.
@@jeffreybarker357 Yikes. That's some razor-thin margins then if a company is worried they might tank because they can't even pay minimum wage.
@@BewareTheLilyOfTheValley most mall stores don't have very good margins, since the malls charge super high rent. if they don't have enough foot traffic, they often dont have more than a month or two before they are gone.
@@thomasplummer8103 True. And as Company Man has talked about, a mall that loses its anchor stores is as good as dead if its not replaced.
During our hormone infused early teenage years me and my buddies used to go into Spencers and stare at the girly posters
we got kick out when i was 12 for going back there and laughing
I'll always remember my "America The Beautiful" poster that I got from Spencer's; three beautiful, Star Spangled Swimsuit wearing women standing together, their swimsuits forming the American Flag. Beautiful, teenage, Spencer memories. :-)
Me too. Do they still have them or are kids these days getting their girly posters online?
@@Alverant Couldn't say since I haven't been in a Spencers since Reagan was President
@@skyden24195 I remember that poster!!! 😍
I remember the Glow! stores; it was my absolute favorite store in any mall, and would refuse to leave without going inside of one. I’m so disappointed they aren’t around anymore. Even finding a picture of one has become nearly impossible. I had no idea they were connected to Spencer’s!
@Заработок от 3000 в день I wish I could read that
when i was a kid in the '70's..they had the coolest poster selection..from rock bands to scary demons and everything in between.
My 10 year old son is obsessed with your channel! He watches all episodes and has learned so much about companies, business and of course all the history and fun facts of companies-Maybe one day he'll be a company man! Who knows. Thank you for creating this channel!
Honored to hear that Veronica.
If you walked into Spencer’s thinking you’re getting real gems gold ect. You get what you deserve 🤷♂️😂
I was a manager there a few years ago and I was constantly asked if the $12 earrings were real diamonds 🤦🏼♀️
@@musiicfreakk93 lol 😂 that’s funny 😆
No shit. Even as a little kid you were skeptical.
@@musiicfreakk93 Soup here, yeah same thing. Its nuts bro lol.
Before this, I always thought Spirit Halloween was some random in-it-for-the-quick-buck type store (since there are these types of stores around me). While they still are, I didn't think about the history behind it or how big the company it was. A lot of my questions have been answered, and things make more sense now :I
I remember being pretty shocked going to the back of a spencers for the first time. Pretty cool store.
I remember sneaking into Spencer’s as a 10 year old lol and seeing a Chucky doll. Loved all the black lights.😂
I remember the first time hearing that the store dated back to the 40's I could hardly believe that it was older than 90% of the well established retails stores that exist today.
I just went to Spencer's for bachelorette party items. They had great stuff! My gift bags were a hit.
e damo yu
I wonder why lol
Kind of rude to call them a moron when they were just sharing their excitement.
@Lebo leigh Leigh Someone's salty they weren't invited :)
This is a great idea, especially if you have friends with a great sense of humor.
It's all fun and games until you go towards the back of the store..
then its sexy time lol
You must have never been to a real sex store.
@@areyoujelton who cares.......
@@areyoujelton shut it
The last time I went into Spencer's, I was waiting in line to buy a wallet and overheard the cashier explaining to another customer that whips weren't returnable. I can see how that would put off a lot of people. I imagine that their biggest challenge right now isn't their image, but rather that they're a mall store.
There's really only one store that scares the f*ck outta me at my local mall. It's the Disney Store. The light is blinding and I can feel my wallet trying to escape my pocket as if it's being pulled in back some tractor beam. Yikes, Im getting goose pimples just thinking about it.
😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂
Not to mention disney is an evil company in general. Walt was a dick,they ruined star wars and are buying everything
That’s the first time I’ve heard of them as goose pimples 💀
They got rid of the Disney store in my mall. Honestly, it was cool. I’ve been to a few others and I know what you were talking about, but mine was good. I miss it because it was my favorite Disney store I’ve been to
Disney started supporting crime and killing kids. Not a place you want to take your children.
Your videos have helped me so much during the virus. Its nice to watch something informative FUN and interesting. Thanks for all you do Company Man.
Glad to help
Have you ever heard of a place called "Oh, Wow!"? It was basically a Spencer's knock-off, I guess. One of our malls had an Oh, Wow!, and the other one had (and still has) a Spencer's. I've never seen another Oh, Wow! ever again though. I think it went away from our mall in the early 1990s if I remember correctly.
This Eighties Kid here hopes people out there remember the Small World Gift and Novelty stores. They were like Spencer's but had less adult items and focused more on kitsch and nostalgia. Granted, a lot of places that had gift areas at the time did, even Tower Records and J.K. Gill.
Yeah we had one here in Buffalo New York and one of our malls that story and the mall are now gone
@@Davidjon1946 :/
Two seconds in - "They're also the people behind Spirit Halloween"
Everyone - Ahhhhhhhhh..... That makes sense.
Used to be a Store Manager for Spencer’s. I can tell you sooooo many people would walk up to the register to say “It’s not for me” 😂😂 Some popular items while I was there were the fart machines, vibrating condoms, and lava lamps. “Life’s A Party And We’re Making It Fun” was our line when we answered the phone 😊🥳
I loved Spencer’s when I was a teen. Black lights, glow in the dark stars and bubble lamps were life and that store had it all.
I have never heard of Spencer’s in my life! I see Spirit stores literally everywhere, but for some reason, I don’t remember ever seeing a Spencer’s store before.
Consider yourself lucky. Imo they seem to be catering to the obnoxious frat boy types who seem to confuse being as crass and offensive as possible with having an actual personality.
When I was in college I applied for a job at Spencer's. They made me go on the floor and try to sell a Keychain that made fart sounds to random people. I decided to work at AOL instead.
9:50 A Spirit Halloween possessing the corpse of a Toys R Us. So fitting...
@Christopher C. um toy r us are making a slowly comeback in malls
As a kid my family was always kind of irreverent. My mom believed that she shouldn't hide reality from her kids and I always appreciated that. Every time we'd go to the mall we'd always stop by Spencer's just to look at all the funny nonsense, the toilet humor, the cool novelty accessories and yes, even weiners and boobies! I mean I was probably about 10-ish so the worst that would happen was that I giggled like a moron at the naughty parts. I know they had an 18+ only section but that didn't mean there wasn't still sexual stuff there to be seen. My mom was probably irresponsible but I loved it! Nowadays hot topic went from that goth store to just Spencer's with less sexual stuff.
Hot topic is an anime store now lol
Holy shesh, I watched your vids like 2 years ago. Just stumbled onto you again and seen, that you‘re over 1 million subs 😳
Crazy man CONGRATS!!! 💪🏻
You always do a great job on the episodes....always thorough!
*Store goes out of business*
Spirit Halloween: ...it's free real estate!
It's somthing about Spencer's that I love. Its so fun wandering to the back where the x-rated toys, games, and items are. And trying to act like an "adult". Then snickering, when you and another person both see D--k shaped playing cards.
That sounds like the beginning of either a really good or really bad relationship
@@legokiller3579 well we have a deck of those I bought as a gag gift several years ago and s/o and I have been together 16 years. 😆
I bought a suction cup adult toy and drove around with it stuck to my windshield. My car was a unicorn
Lmao wtf?
I remember when Spencer's was mostly a mail-order business. I bought a few items mostly kiddie toys and gadgets. I agree with you the present Spencer's is quite edgy carrying adult-oriented merchandise. I have to admit I was completely shocked the first time I entered Spencer's in the mall near my home. I don't go into that store anymore. Their history is interesting, though.
I was just looking through Company Man's videos to see if he had anything on Spencer's... 6 days later he delivers. Good stuff
Best store!! Always loved gazing at the "back" section when I was in middle school
Been going to Spencer's since I was a teen. I've bought everything you can imagine. Tongue studs, rude shirts, adult toy for a gf, a blowup doll of Jenna Jameson as a prank gift for my bf. I think it's a fun store and not at all intimidating, cuz everyone is there for a good laugh.
I remember when I was 14, a couple friends and I went in to Spencer’s...I’ve never been back 😂
y
You should do a video on the decline of Curves. My mom opened a Curves around 3 years ago and they were a pretty horrible franchise to work with. They tried to get as much money from her as possible and offered her very little help when it came to running the gym and dealing with customers. She closed her gym around 6 months ago at the start of the lock down when she wouldn't have been able to have it open anyway, and today she got a letter from Curves saying that she owed them around $31,000 for "early closing fees." She made very little money in the 2 years that she was open, most of the money went towards paying employees and the increasing costs of the franchise fees. There are quite a few other previous owners of Curves gyms that are getting letters saying that they owe Curves money as well.
Worked there in 2004... I loved it!!!
Black Light Posters, lava lamps, fog machines.... memories of going in these stores as a kid
Wow, the first Spencer's was in the Cherry Hill Mall! That was my local mall during my teens and 20's. 😊
Also, the corporate headquarters are located in Egg Harbor Township, NJ, which is very close to where I live now.
Every time I was let loose in the mall when the family went shopping back in the 70s and early 80s, I always went to three places every time:
1. The arcade (usually Aladdin's Castle)
2. Spencer's
3. The record store (usually Sam Goody)
My first place every time we went to a mall is Hotdog on a Stick, then to Warehouse Music, and then to KMart.
Spencer's was always a destination in the late 70s/early 80s when I was around 11 to 13. They had all the blacklight posters in the back so you did have to walk by the adult shelves, which were risque but not obscene. The two blacklight bulbs I bought and still own came from Spencer's. They had some cool latex masks with hair, but were too expensive for me. They also had buttons at the counter that we liked to read. My parents never went in, which is probably why they didn't know it wasn't appropriate.
The one in the mall I grew up in had a 13 year or older sign in the front. So I was pumped to finally get to visit it after looking forward to it for years. And honestly, still stop in every time we go to a mall with one and I’m 27. It’s fun, cheeky, and you will always leaving with at least a few laughs. Also, it does have really specific gifts that make people feel special. The adult section doesn’t bother me but I never see anyone looking at it except bridal parties. And that’s a huge market that spends crazy money on anything! So I don’t blame them for keeping it.
I was today old when I realized they own Spirit. This channel teaches me so much.
Spencer's is a unique mall experience. Personally I love the store for its edginess and ode to all things unusual.
I still dont understand how they get away with having that back wall in every store. We used to go back there in middle school and laugh at all stuff, makes me feel weird in hindsight though
"Classic salt shake"
*Shows a pepper shaker*
Spencers Rules! I worked there in Lakeland Florida at the old Lakeland Square Mall, that was so much fun!
I've been in spencers gifts decades ago and loved the store in Midway Mall Sherman Texas or Crossroads Mall in OKC. Never been to a Spirit Halloween. Loved Spencers gifts!
This is crazy! I never knew that Spencer's owned Spirit Halloween. Let alone that they are owned by Universal.
Lol I was a good sheltered homeschooler, so I never went in those stores. I always assumed that's where you got the drugs, tho. 😂
Drugs in a store at the mall? Yeah you definitely were a sheltered home schooler living under a rock
Apparently you never shopped the SPENCER'S in the Aurora Mall in Aurora, CO. The name was changed to the Aurora Town Center in an effort to distance itself from its questionable past. I refer to it as the Ghetto Town Center. There's still a SPENCER'S and it's still sketchy.
🤣😂🤣😂
Something interesting about the local Spenser gifts where I live. During the pandemic they are the only store I’ve seen that’s actually enforcing a mask policy with a person at the entrance. I saw them flat Out tell a few People to go shop Somewhere else after they refused to put the mask over their nose and wear it right. Props to them for actually telling people that the mask don’t count unless it covers nose and mouth. And having the guts to turn customers away for not following sensible mask policies.
The liquor store at the mall down the street from me went out of business & is now a Spirit Halloween location. Learning about the clothing store & the origin of Spencer's is incredibly interesting. Now I know how Spirit Halloween came to exist in the way it does today. Thank You Company Man
I bought a 1969 Spencer Gift Catalogue and made it into xmas cards. That adult theming stretched back then too. The descriptions of the items are top tier marketing speak. My favors include, "have a drink" hospitality lamp - a glass lamp of a drunk guy in a top hat leaning against personalize home bar sign post & Shimmering Sleep Bikini, gold or silver lamé to show off your "sparkling personality"! A few scary clowns and a lot of weird kitschy crap. I remember Spencers from the mid-late 90's.
Heard you talking about my store.
I've never considered either store "intimidating."
Hot Topic has always been the angsty, edgy teen store and Spencer's is the schlocky place those previously edgy teens buy stuff to remain edgy as college students and post-grads. That's how I've always seen it. Both stores are kinda cringey when you get down to it. Anytime I've ever been into either was to buy gag gifts or purposefully low-brow party favors as an in-joke with friends.
Yeah I'm surprised he kept using the word intimidating in this video. Are most of his viewers 10 years old?
@@vinstinct or 40 years old +.
That should be Spencer’s tagline: “Low-Brow Party Favors”. Seriously that place is cringy.
@@Kraus- Excuse me. i am 49 and find Spencer's laughable and Hot Topic juvenile. The only thing I like from HT are the band shirts and even then....
As kids/teens in the 70s/80s we'd go hang out at Spencer Gifts while our parents shopped in the mall.
The mall near me with Spenser’s as one of the first stores you see, and Spirit opening up right across the street every year, makes it only too convenient to go there all the time. I love those stores
I haven’t been into a Spencer’s since the early 2000s but I remember it was always one of my favorite stores in the mall.
6:00-I’d always assumed it was called “Spirit Halloween” because “Spirit of Halloween” had been already taken! Live and learn!
😹
DO NOT GO INTO THE BACK OF SPENCERS!!!!
Too late.
I accidentally went to the back
I did. I was a kid. Me and my teenage cousin walked to the mall from her apartment.
Why
@@NatureUpvoted in the back of Spencer's there's adult stuff
When I was younger I bought a Victoria Silvstedt poster in Spencer’s.
You can reliably guess someone's age by the model on the poster they bought there. Mine was Cindy Crawford in jean shorts.
Spencer’s to me SCREAMS early 00’s (my teen years) our mall had one, I bought a cool laser pointer from there one time, my high school sweetie loved that store
Thank u for this video. It is my favorite store in the mall
Spencer’s used to be in our mall, I used to buy camera accessories and retro stuff.
Camera supplies? Really? Never seen that stuff there!
@@angusmacfrankenstein7227 that was over a decade ago, they had novelty disposable cameras, memory cards, camera pouches.
I used to be so intimidated by the store as a child that i thought if I even looked in the general direction of the window of the store my mom would yell at me
Funny, I haven't been in a Spencer's for years. I just remember them from the 90s, when it was nothing but junk jewelry and sketchy adult-ish novelties that most people would be embarrassed to be seen buying. I'm honestly a bit surprised they're still around, but the whole Spirit thing definitely explains it.
I remember going in Spencer's when I was like 13 and going to the back with some of my friends and the lady at the register was not having it lol. Always loved that place have gotten several lava lamps and black lights from there, pong tables t-shirts posters lasers snacks, laughed a lot at the adult stuff... that place is always worth a walk through.
dude, GLOW! i remember that store as a kid. loved it!
The first time I went into a Spencer's I honestly didn't know what it was. I just saw the shirts and such at the front and thought it was something comparable to Hot Topic. But then I went to the back and was like! wow cool mall trip! absolutely fun store to go in with my parents :) /s. Very strange that they allow minors into that store.