Woolco

Woolco

File:Woolco.gif
Company type	discount department store
Industry	Retail
Founded	1962
Defunct	1983 (United States) 1994 (Canada)
Fate	Bankruptcy in United States, but Canadian stores converted to Wal-Mart
Headquarters	Columbus, Ohio, USA
Products	Clothing, footwear, bedding, furniture, jewelry, beauty products, electronics, toys and housewares.
Website	None

Woolco was a discount retail department store chain that operated in the United States, Canada and the United Kingdom. It was founded in 1962, as a subsidiary of five-and-dime chain The F.W. Woolworth Company. Woolco stores were considered by many to be Woolworth's response to S.S. Kresge Corporation's Kmart stores.

History

Creation

The creation of Woolco coincided with the expansion of suburbia. Woolworth's flagship stores were still doing well, but the company wanted to tap into the growing discount department market without diluting its dominant position in the variety store business.

The first Woolco stores were located on the outskirts of Columbus, Ohio. The stores proved successful, and by 1966 there were 18 open in the United States and 9 in Canada. Plans at the time were for 30 stores to be added per year to the base. This led to tremendous growth as over 300 Woolco stores popped up all over North America by the mid 1970s.

The company experimented with both Woolco and a more downscale merchandising unit called Worth Mart in the mid 1960s. Woolco was the eventual winner with customers, and the Worth Mart stores were folded into Woolco's store base by the 1970s.

At the outset, Woolco stores were considered by the company to be "promotional department stores," with expanded product lines and other amenities not typically found at namesake Woolworth stores.

Many locations contained Red Grille restaurants (actually a cafeteria style outlet), and the food areas sold popcorn, real milkshakes, and other food.

A number of Woolco stores were opened in the UK in the same period. These were spun off along with the British Woolworths chain in 1982 and subsequently sold by Kingfisher plc to Gateway in 1986.

Demise

File:Woolcoproduct.jpg

Woolco, like other department stores in Canada, sometimes sold products under their own brand name.

The energy crisis and recessions of the 1970s took their toll on the entire Woolworth organization, with Woolco bearing the brunt of the misfortune. Also, the Woolworth organization had to take on heavy debtloads just to keep the Woolco stores operating.

The typical Woolco store size was well over 100,000 square feet, which was quite large for a discount store of that era, and many of its departments were leased to third-party operators, a common practice among early discounters.

Starting in the late 1970s, Woolworth enacted a cost-saving plan for Woolco that included a reduction in floor space for the largest locations, the elimination of most leased departments and an expansion into smaller markets with stores as small as 60,000 square feet. During this period, the excess space in some larger Woolco stores went to a Woolworth-owned off-price clothing retailer called J. Brannam, which was short for "Just Brand Names"

By 1979, it became clear that the earlier cost-saving plan would not be enough to save Woolco from failure, so Woolworth combined the discount store operating unit with its variety stores and began to close stores in unprofitable markets including Chicago.

Closure

Woolco ceased operations in the United States in 1983. However, the Canadian division of approximately 120 stores remained open. In 1990, 26 Woolworth stores in Canada were converted to Woolco because of their larger size. In 1994, in order to repay the $1.7 billion debt incurred from international specialty store expansion, the Woolworth Corporation sold most of the Woolco Canada stores to Wal-Mart Canada. Wal-Mart did not acquire the Woolco stores that were either unionized or had downtown locations. Some Woolco stores were sold and re-opened as Zellers stores.

Canada

As a smaller, less crowded, retailing market, Woolco had a bigger impact on the retailing landscape in Canada than it did in the US. There were 160 stores in Canada at dissolution. They were so well-known that Canadian songwriters Leon Dubinsky and Max McDonald even wrote a popular song called "Working at the Woolco Manager Trainee Blues" (1977). During the 1970s and '80s, the Canadian stores were well-known for their monthly "$1.44 Days", wherein numerous items were sold at a price of $1.44 CAD. Competitors Woodward's & Eaton's ran "$1.49 Days" usually the first Tuesday each month. Some stores also contained an automotive and tire service department

Former Woolco locations

Former Woolco locations in the US

United States

Alabama

• Bessemer
• Dothan - Northside Mall (later Wal-Mart, now vacant)
• Fairfield (later Wal-Mart, closed when Supercenter opened at Western Hills Mall across street)
• Florence - Grant Plaza (now Big Lots and other stores)
• Huntsville - Woolco Shopping Center
• Mobile - Springhill Plaza
• Muscle Shoals - Southgate Mall (later Wal-Mart, now Tractor Supply Company and a Walgreen's service center)
• Rainbow City
• Scottsboro
• Tuscaloosa - McFarland Mall (later Zayre, then Drug Mart, now TJ Maxx)
• Theodore - Woolco South Plaza

Arizona

• Phoenix
  • Hayden Plaza West (later Price Club, then Costco, now Costco Business Center)
  • 3130 E. Thomas (now The Home Depot)
• Tempe
  • 1300 N. Scottsdale Rd.
  • Hayden Plaza
• Tucson - Broadway and Kolb

Arkansas

• Fort Smith - Phoenix Village Mall (closed 1979; later Venture, now Atwood's)
• North Little Rock - McCain Boulevard (now Target)

California

• Sacramento

• Arden Way (later Weinstocks Furniture Gallery, now Circuit City)
• 65th St. (later Price Club)

• Fountain Valley

• Brookhurst street @ Edinger

Colorado

• Aurora - 6th Ave. @ Peoria (Hoffman Heights Shopping Center)
• Boulder - 28th street. @ Walnut st.
• Lakewood - 7777 W. Jewell Ave. (now Jo-Ann Fabrics, Pets & Stuff Superstore, Chatfield Gymnastics and other stores)
• Wheat Ridge - 3600 Youngfield (now Wal-Mart)
• Greeley - 2626 11th Ave.(now Target)

Connecticut

• Bristol - Farmington Ave. (Woolco Shopping Center) (later Rickel's, then Pergament, now Sears Hardware and Salvation Army thrift store)
• Brookfield - Woolco Shopping Center (now TJ Maxx)
• Danbury
• Enfield - Enfield Mall (now Enfield Commons) (later a flea market, then Channel Home Center, then Bradlees, now Barnes & Noble and Marshalls)
• Orange - Woolco Shopping Center (now Raymour & Flanigan)

Delaware

• Claymont - Northtowne Plaza (later Jamesway and Woolworth Outlet, now The Home Depot)
• Dover - Blue Hen Mall (later Rose's; mall is now an office complex)
• Newark - 59 University Plaza (later Jamesway, now Burlington Coat Factory)

Florida

• Delray Beach - Delray Beach Mall
• Gainesville - NW 13th St (US 441) (now Wal-Mart)
• Lakeland - Lakeland Mall (later Sam's Club; mall torn down)
• Lauderhill - Lauderhill Mall (later Costco, now divided into smaller stores)
• Miami - Northwest Miami
• Orlando - Woolco Way
• Pensacola - Woolco Plaza on Fairfield Drive
• Port Richey - Southgate Shopping Center (later JCPenney, now Big Lots and other stores)
• St. Petersburg - Gateway Mall (later Zayre, then Ames, mall torn down for Target)
• Seminole - Seminole Mall (now Kmart)
• South Daytona - South Daytona Mall (now Sunshine Park Mall) (now Publix and other stores)
• Stuart - Martin Square Mall (later Kmart, now Sears Essentials)
• Tallahassee - Tallahassee Mall (later Zayre, then Ames, then Service Merchandise. Now Goody's, Ross Dress For Less and Shoe Carnival)
• Tampa
  • Dale Mabry Highway (later Phar-Mor)
  • 24xx E. Hillborough Ave.
• Tarpon Springs - Tarpon Mall (later Scotty's; demolished 2002)
• West Palm Beach - Dixie Hwy. near Lake Worth

Georgia

• Atlanta
  • 1959 Stewart Ave. SW (Stewart-Lakewood Mall) (now a gym)
  • Twelve Oaks Mall (now Plaza Fiesta Mall) - 4166 Buford Hwy., NE (now Burlington Coat Factory)
• Marietta - 155 Woolco Dr. (now Burlington Coat Factory)

Illinois

• DeKalb - Sycamore Rd.
• Homewood - 17910 S. Halsted Ave. (later Venture, now Jo-Ann Etc., Bed Bath & Beyond, and TJ Maxx)
• Waukegan - Lewis Ave.

Indiana

• Evansville
  • Green River Road
  • First Ave.
• Indianapolis
  • Shadeland Ave.
  • Woolco Ln.
• Lafayette - Teal Road (later Hills,('later Ames), now Rural King)
• Terre Haute
  • Plaza North (later Hills)(later Ames)),now ((Big Lots and Harbor Freight Tools and empty space))
  • Riverside Plaza (later Hills,('later Ames)), now Burlington Coat Factory)

Iowa

• Cedar Falls - College Square Mall (later Wal-Mart, now partially Hy-Vee)
• Marshalltown - Marshalltown Mall (now Marshall Town Center) (later Wal-Mart, now Menards)
• Muscatine - Muscatine Mall (later Wal-Mart, now Menards)
• West Des Moines - Westowne Center, 1404 22nd St (later Dot Drug, now Michael's)

Kansas

• Emporia
• Overland Park
• Salina - Mid-State Mall (later Wal-Mart, now Sutherland Lumber)
• Wichita
  • Pawnee Plaza Mall (later Wal-Mart; mall torn down for Wal-Mart Supercenter)
  • 2021 N. Amidon

Kentucky

• Bowling Green - Bowling Green Mall (Closed in late 70's, now a Big Lots)
• Louisville
  • Indian Trail Shopping Center (now smaller stores)
  • Pleasure Valley Shopping Center (later Home Crafters Warehouse and Crossroads Furniture, shoppin center torn down for Meijer)
• Owensboro - Lincoln Mall (torn down, mall redeveloped as church)

Louisiana

• Alexandria - MacArthur Dr. (later Wal-Mart, now Office Depot)
• Baton Rouge
  • Plank Rd. @ Airline (building expanded into a warehouse facility)
  • Perkins Rd. (later Wal-Mart, now empty)
  • Florida Blvd. (cut up into smaller stores)
• Bayou Vista - US-90 (later Wal-Mart, now smaller stores)
• Chalmette - Judge Perez Highway
• Cut Off - Highway 1 (later Kmart, now smaller stores)
• Gonzales - US-61 (later Wal-Mart, now a manufacturers' facility)
• Hammond - US-190 (later Kmart, now Hobby Lobby and smaller stores)
• Harahan - 1000 S. Clearview Pkwy. (converted to Home Depot and Solo Stores, larger Home Depot, now Office Max, Petsmart, and smaller stores)
• Houma - Woolco Plaza (later Wal-Mart, then Bud's, now a storage facility)
• La Place - US-61
• Lafayette
  • Evangeline Thruway NW (later Wal-Mart, then Bud's, then Big Lots, now smaller stores)
  • Johnston St. (later Wal-Mart, then Academy Sports, now Incredible Pizza Company)
• Marrero - Lapalco @ Belle Promenade (later Delchamps, then Albertson's, now vacant)
• Metairie - Veterans Memorial (later Oshman's, Stein Mart, and Campo Electronics- then Sports Authority, A-1 Electronics, plus expanded into shopping center; now mostly demolished to make way for new Wal-Mart Supercenter)
• New Iberia - Lewis St. (later Wal-Mart, now Super 1 Foods)
• New Orleans - Chef Menteur (originally Sears, then Woolco. Now a storage facility)
• Opelousas - Heather Lane (later Wal-Mart; torn down)
• Shreveport
  • W. 70th St. (later The Home Depot, now Sutherland's)
  • Shreve City (later Sam's Club, then Burlington Coat Factory. Now torn down for construction of Wal-Mart Supercenter)
• Slidell - W. Gause (later Wal-Mart, now smaller stores)
• Thibodaux - St. Mary St. (later Kmart, now empty)

Maine

• Bangor - Airport Mall (later Rich's, then Ames, now Dollar Tree and Marshalls)
• Windham, Maine Later converted to Zayre, eventually torn down for Shaw's Supercenter (grocery store)

Maryland

• Bowie
• Clinton (now Shoppers Food Warehouse)
• Eldersburg - Carrolltown Center (now Kmart)
• Forestville
• Frederick (later Ames, now vacant)
• Hampstead
• Lanham (later Channel Home Center, then Shoppers Food Warehouse, now Men's Wearhouse)
• New Carrollton - New Carrollton Mall (mall torn down, Lowe's on site)
• Rockville - Rockville Pike
• Salisbury (now Toys "R" Us)
• Severna Park - 597 Ritchie Hwy. (later Caldor, now Kohl's)

Michigan

• Burton - Eastland Mall (now Courtland Center) (later Crowley's and mall stores. Old Navy took half of the former Crowley's in 2000. Old Navy moved to a new store in the mall; former Woolco now occupied by Staples, Dunham's Sports, and Jo-Ann Etc.)
• Flint
  • Mayfair Plaza - Clio Rd. (vacant)
  • South Flint Plaza (originally The Fair, later Woolco, now Value City)
• Grand Rapids - Eastbrook Mall (now Centerpointe Mall) (later Burlington Coat Factory, F&M Drugstore and Showbiz Pizza. F&M Drugstore became MC Sports and is now Golf Galaxy. Showbiz Pizza is now Chuck E. Cheese's. Burlington Coat Factory moved in late 1990s and is now Linens 'n Things)
• Lansing - 810 S. Waverly Rd. (now Value City)
• Okemos - Meridian Mall (later Service Merchandise and food court. Service Merchandise torn down for Jacobson's in 2000; Jacobson's replaced with Younkers in 2003. Former food court is now Schuler Books and Music)

Mississippi

• Biloxi - near Edgewater Mall
• Brookhaven(later Wal-Mart; demolished for parking lot of existing Wal-Mart Supercenter)
• Jackson - Jackson Mall (now Jackson Medical Mall) (Mall converted to medical offices)
• Jackson - Ellis Isle Shopping Center (later Wal-Mart, abandoned after Wal-Mart relocated to Supercenter)
• Natchez(later Wal-Mart, abandoned after Wal-Mart relocated to Supercenter)
• Ocean Springs - Sea Shores Plaza

Missouri

• Columbia - Biscayne Mall (later Wal-Mart. Mall closed late 1990s, Wal-Mart remained until 2006 when former store was torn down)
• Gladstone - 6475 N. Prospect Ave. (later Wal-Mart, now Price Chopper)
• Grandview - 12420 S. Hwy. 71 (now Sam's Club)
• Independence - 16611 E. 23rd St. S. (later Wal-Mart, now Price Chopper)
• Kansas City - E. 63rd St. @ State (now Wal-Mart)
• Raytown - E. 63rd St. @ Blue Ridge Blvd.
• St. Joseph - 1417 N. Belt Highway (later Wal-Mart, now Hobby Lobby)

Nebraska

• Grand Island - Webb Road (now ShopKo)
• Lincoln - 2600 S. 48th (now Hobby Lobby)
• Omaha - 3020 S. 84th St (now ShopKo)

Nevada

• Las Vegas - Charleston Plaza (mall torn down)

New Hampshire

• Manchester - S. Willow St.
• Nashua - Nashua Mall (later Bradlees, now Kohl's)
• Salem - Salem Plaza (originally W. T. Grant, later Woolco, then Zayre, then Ames, now Marshalls)

New Jersey

• Audubon - Black Horse Plaza (originally E. J. Korvette, later Bradlees; torn down 2005)
• Cinnaminson - Cinnaminson Mall (later Caldor; torn down October 2005)
• Clementon - (originally W. T. Grant, later Woolco, then Route 30 Market. Currently vacant, to be demolished)
• East Brunswick - Mid State Mall (later PharmHouse, now Best Buy)
• Ocean
• Turnersville - Black Horse Pike
• Willingboro - Village Mall (later Caldor)
• Woodbury Heights - Route 45

New Mexico

• Albuquerque - Wyoming Mall

New York

• Bridgehampton - Montauk Hwy. (originally W. T. Grant, then Woolco, then Caldor, now TJ Maxx)
• East Meadow - Clearmeadow Mall (originally Great Eastern Department Store, then Woolco. Store was gutted for a small enclosed mall anchored by Service Merchandise after Woolco left. The former mall has been gutted and Wal-Mart now occupies the entire former Woolco building.)
• East Patchogue - Montauk Hwy. (originally W. T. Grant, then Woolco. Later Caldor, now empty)
• Jericho - N. Broadway (originally Great Eastern, then Woolco, now office space)
• Lake Ronkonkoma - Portion Road (originally W. T. Grant, then Woolco. Later Caldor, now Kohl's)
• Riverhead - Old Country Rd. (originally W. T. Grant, then Woolco, then Caldor, now Wal-Mart)
• Rocky Point (originally W. T. Grant, then Woolco, then Caldor; now Kohl's)
• Watertown

North Carolina

• Asheboro - Randolph Mall (later Rose's, now Dillard's)
• Gastonia- Gaston Mall. Woolco , then Media Play. Now vacant.
• Charlotte
  • Wilkinson Blvd.
  • South Blvd.
  • Tryon Mall (later Winn-Dixie)
  • Tyvola Mall (torn down)
• Wilkesboro - Wilkes Mall (mall torn down for Lowe's)
• Wilmington - Long Leaf Mall (later Hills, then Ames, now a furniture store)

North Dakota

• Bismarck - Kirkwood Plaza/Mall (later Dayton's, which converted to Marshall Fields only to be closed in 2005 - store was demolished in 2006 to create a new Target store)

Ohio

• Columbus
  • Great Western Shopping Center (first location in chain, later Kroger and Drug Emporium, Kroger now vacant, Drug Emporium now Grossman's Bargain Outlet)
  • Great Southern Shopping Center (demolished, Kroger built on site, now Kroger Marketplace)
  • Graceland Shopping Center (later Burlington Coat Factory and Drug Emporium, Drug Emporium became Big Lots Furniture, building now almost completely vacant) (Photos).
  • 4900/4590 E. Broad St. (became credit card offices for The Limited, now offices for Alliance Data Systems)
  • Columbus Square Shopping Center (later Builders Square, now a thrift store and Stone Mountain Carpet Mill Outlet)
• Hamilton - Brookwood Ave. (Hamilton West Shopping Center) (later Kmart, then Hills Department Stores, now Big Lots)
• Niles - US-422 (later Hills, then Ames; now Best Buy and Dick's)
• Northwood
• Toledo
  • 5821 W. Central (later Hills, then Ames, now Wal-Mart)
  • 1136 W. Alexis Rd (later Hills, then Ames, now Lowe's)
  • In Northwood, at the Corner of Woodville road & Williston road (st. rt. 579), across from the Woodville Mall. (Later Hills, then Ames, now Steve & Barry's)
• Youngstown - Belmont Ave (cut up into smaller stores, later Giant Eagle, US Factory Outlets and J. J. Newberry; former Giant Eagle is now Big Lots and Aldi)

Oklahoma

• Tulsa
  • E. Admiral Place @ Mingo Rd.
  • Southroads Mall (later Venture, now Reasor's)

Pennsylvania

• Bensalem - Woodhaven Mall (later Jamesway, then Price Club, now The Home Depot)
• Carlisle - MJ Mall (later Hills, then Ames, now TJ Maxx and Sears Appliance Dealer)
• Harrisburg - Colonial Park Mall (now Boscov's)
• Holmes - MacDade Mall (now Kmart)
• Horsham - Village Mall (later Bradlees, now Wal-Mart)
• Langhorne - Lincoln Hwy. (later Builder's Square, then Burlington Coat Factory, now DSW Shoe Warehouse and Rooms Today Furniture)
• Lansdale - Sandy Brook Mall (later Drug Emporium and other stores)
• North Wales - Montgomery Commons (now Dollar Tree, US Toy, and other stores)
• Philadelphia - Rising Sun Plaza (later Clover, now National Wholesale Liquidators)
• Pottsville - Fairlane Village Mall (later Gee Bee, now Value City)
• Souderton (originally Grant City, then Woolco. Later Ames, now vacant)

Rhode Island

• East Providence - Wampanoag Mall (later Channel Home Center, now Marshalls)
• Lincoln - Lincoln Mall (later Caldor; torn down for Marshalls)

South Carolina

• Charleston - Ashley Plaza Mall (originally J.M. Fields, then Woolco, subdivided and leased to Brendle's and United Clothing Co., building rejoined and leased to Carolina Pottery, subdivided again and currently Dollar Tree, Pivotal Fitness & Bumper-to-Bumper Auto Parts)
• Columbia
  • Dutch Square (now Burlington Coat Factory and Office Max)
  • Landmark Square, Garners Ferry Road (later HQ, now Rooms To Go Outlet)
• Greenville - Bell Tower Mall (mall converted to offices)
• Sumter - Wesmark Plaza, Broad Street (later Rose's)

Tennessee

• Memphis - (three locations)
• Nashville - 100 Oaks Mall (now Burlington Coat Factory)

Texas

• Arlington - 1818 Pioneer Pkwy. (later The Home Depot; current status unknown)
• Amarillo - Western Plaza Shopping Center (later Wilson's Catalog Showroom, then Service Merchandise, then a night club, now vacant; mall to be torn down)
• Austin
  • Westgate Mall (later Wilson's, then Service Merchandise; torn down for Central Market)
  • Lake Creek Parkway (now H-E-B)
  • Anderson Lane (later Mervyn's, now Hobby Lobby)
  • Anderson Mill Rd. (later Value Club, then Phar-Mor)
  • 801 E. William Cannon Dr. - (later Value Club, then Phar-Mor, now Academy Sports & Outdoors)
• Beaumont - (later Best Products, then Kmart, now Gander Mountain)
• Brownsville
• Corpus Christi - Staples St. (destroyed by Hurricane Celia)
• Conroe - Loop 336 (closed 1983, became Wal-Mart in 1984)
• Dallas
  • Red Bird Mall (now Southwest Center Mall)
  • Northtown Mall (now Burlington Coat Factory)
• Galveston - Galvez Mall (later Eiband's; mall torn down)
• Harlingen - Sun Valley Mall
• Houston
  • Uvalde at Wallisville Rd (later Kmart, now vacant)
  • I-45 South at Almeda-Genoa Rd (later Front Row, Venture, Kmart, now Floor & Decor Outlet)
• Mesquite - Big Town Mall
• Pasadena
• Plano
• Pharr -- El Centro Mall (later Sam's Club, now Joy Dollar and Convergys)
• San Antonio -- Bandera Road and Huebner Road (later Value Club, now Bandera Bowl)

Virginia

• Alexandria - 6700 Richmond Hwy. (now Office Depot)
• Blacksburg - University Mall (later Rose's, now Virginia Tech Math Emporium)
• Charlottesville - Barracks Road Shopping Center (later Rose's, now Bed Bath & Beyond, Goody's and Harris Teeter)
• Burke - Rolling Valley Mall (now Ross Dress For Less)
• Fredericksburg - Greenbriar Shopping Center
• Hampton - Todd's Center (later Bradlees, now a Big Lots)
• Manassas - Manaport Shopping Center (later Evans, then a Food Lion and Trak Auto, now a Bottom Dollar and Advance Auto Parts)
• Richmond
  • Azalea Mall (later Ames; mall vacant, to be torn down)
  • Midlothian Turnpike (later Food Carnival, now a warehouse)
• Roanoke
  • Crossroads Mall (now Kmart)
  • Tanglewood Mall (later Brendle's, now Staples, TJ Maxx and Stein Mart)
• Sterling - Sugarland Plaza (now Sugarland Crossing)
• Vienna - 8353 Leesburg Pike (now Marshalls and Sports Authority)
• Virginia Beach - Virginia Beach Blvd (became Hills Department Store, then Ames, then HQ; currently vacant)
• Woodbridge - Bridgewood Shopping Center

Wisconsin

• Beaver Dam - Beaver Dam Mall - (later Copps Food Center, then Wal-Mart; currently empty)
• Wisconsin Rapids - Rapids Mall (later Wal-Mart, now a senior citizen center)

Former Woolco locations in Canada

Canada

Alberta

• Calgary - (five locations including Marlborough Mall)
• Edmonton - (five locations)
  • Capilano Mall - Currently Wal-Mart
  • Centennial Mall/Mayfield Common - Wal-Mart (1994-2003) - Currently Winners and Home Sense
  • Londonderry Mall (2 floors) - Wal-Mart (1994-2003) Currently Army and Navy lower level and Sport Check upper level
  • Heritage Mall (2 floors) - Wal-Mart (1994-1998) - Empty until mall demolition beginning in 2005
  • St. Albert Centre - Wal-Mart (1994-2002) - Currently occupied by Zellers
• Hinton - opened 1991 - now Wal-Mart
• Lethbridge - opened 1968 - now Wal-Mart
• Medicine Hat - downtown - former Woolworth - converted to Woolco 1990 - not acquired by Wal-Mart
• Red Deer - North End - Parkland Mall - Former Woolco
• Wetaskiwin - converted to Wal-Mart, now vacant

British Columbia

• Burnaby - Lougheed Mall - Became Wal-Mart
• Nanaimo - Country Club Centre - Became Wal-Mart in 1994, now sub-divided into Future Shop, La-Z-Boy Furniture Gallery and JYSK Linen & Furniture.
• Nelson - Became Wal-Mart
• North Vancouver - Capilano Mall - Became Wal-Mart
• Penticton - Peachtree Mall - Became Wal-Mart. Property redeveloped with larger Wal-Mart.
• Prince George - Pine Centre Mall - unionized - became Zellers
• Surrey - Guildford Town Centre - Became Wal-Mart
• Trail - Unionized - became Zellers
• Victoria - Town and Country Shopping Centre - now Wal-Mart
• Williams Lake - former Woolworth - converted to Woolco 1990 - unionized - not acquired by Wal-Mart

Manitoba

• Brandon - opened 1971 - Became a Wal-Mart and is now a Zellers
• Dauphin - Marketplace Mall - former Woolworth - converted to Woolco 1990 - now Wal-Mart
• Portage La Prairie - Portage Mall - later Wal-Mart - now Rona. New free-standing store down the street.
• Thompson - former Woolworth - converted to Woolco 1990 - now Wal-Mart
• Winnipeg
  • Crossroads Mall - later Wal-Mart - now a Home Outfitters and Best Buy
  • Garden City - later Wal-Mart - Home Depot
  • Grant Park - later Wal-Mart - now Zellers
  • St. Vital Centre - now Wal-Mart
  • Unicity Mall - later Wal-Mart - now Canadian Tire

Newfoundland and Labrador

• Carbonear - Trinity Conception Square - opened 1978 - former Woolworth - converted to Woolco 1990 - now Wal-Mart - (65,000 sq.ft.)
• Clarenville - Random Square - opened 1981 - former Woolworth - converted to Woolco 1990 - later Wal-Mart - now vacant - (45,000 sq.ft.)
• Gander - Gander Mall - opened 1979 - former Woolworth - converted to Woolco 1990 -later Wal-Mart - now vacant - (80,000 sq.ft.)
• Grand Falls-Windsor - Exploits Valley Mall - opened 1974 - former Woolworth - converted to Woolco 1990 - now Wal-Mart - (65,000 sq.ft.)
• St. John's
  • Avalon Mall - opened 1967 - later Wal-Mart - now Sears - (143,000 sq.ft.)
  • Village Shopping Centre - opened 1978 - later Wal-Mart - now subdivided into smaller office and retail space - (128,000 sq.ft.)
  • Water Street - downtown - opened 1966 - fomer Woolworth - later converted to Woolco - then The Bargain! Shop - (195, 000 sq.ft., including office and parking space) - the biggest Woolworth's in the world - first escalator in Newfoundland - closed late 1999 – now vacant
• Stephenville - Stephenville Plaza Mall - opened 1975 - former Woolworth - converted to Woolco 1990 -now Wal-Mart - (65,000 sq.ft.)

New Brunswick

• Bathurst - Chaleur Centre - opened 1980, became Wal-Mart 1994; moved to new location 2005 - now vacant
• Fredericton - Regent Mall - opened 1976 - now Wal-Mart
• Dieppe - Champlain Place - now Wal-Mart
• Saint John - Loch Lomond Mall - opened in 1969; became Wal-Mart on March 17, 1994 (closed Nov. 10th, 1999) - now Sitel(formerly ClientLogic) call centre

Nova Scotia

• Dartmouth - Penhorn Mall - opened 1974 - Became Wal-Mart until January 2007 when Wal-Mart moved to Dartmouth Crossing. Space currently vacant.
• Halifax - Scotia Square - downtown - opened 1969 - closed 1994 remained vacant for a few years. now Aliant call centre.
• Lower Sackville - Downsview Plaza- Was built 1991 became Wal-Mart. Wal-Mart moved to a new location in nearby Bedford in March 2007
• New Glasgow - Highland Square - opened 1981 - later Wal-Mart until it moved to a new location in 2007 - now Canadian Tire.
• Port Hawkesbury - Port Hawkesbury Mall - former Woolworth - converted to Woolco 1990 - now Wal-Mart
• Sydney - Mayflower Mall - opened 1980 - Became Wal-Mart until 2006. Now Future Shop, Winners, Sport Chek, Rolling Phones (Aliant Store).
• Sydney River - opened 1964 - Now Wal-Mart

Ontario

• Ajax - (was Wal-Mart, later BiWay, now Shoppers Drug Mart)
• Barrie - (was downtown, partially converted into a country music bar)
• Brantford - opened mid-1960s - closed mid-1980s - downtown - Converted to Public Library
• Brockville - (later Wal-Mart until it moved to a new location. Now Sears)
• Cambridge - 90 Main Street : Downtown Galt - (Former Woolworth converted to Woolco. Closed when Wal-Mart took over. Presently vacant and due for redevelopment)
• Chatham - North Maple Mall - (Converted to Wal-Mart. Has been rebuilt and is now a Real Canadian Superstore)
• Cornwall - Brookdale Mall - (Was converted to Wal-Mart, and then was torn down and rebuilt as a bigger Wal-Mart)
• Dryden Hwy 17 East. Woolworth, converted to Woolco. Sold to Wal-mart.
• Etobicoke Honneydale Mall, Dundas & Hwy 427. Converted to Wal-mart. Closed in 2002 and moved close to Sherway Gdns. in a freestanding big box location.
• Georgetown Georgetown Marketplace, converted to Wal-Mart
• Hamilton, Ontario
  • Mountain Plaza Mall. Currently Wal*Mart, mall to be demolished in 2008, replaced with Wal*Mart Supercentre.
  • Eastgate Square. Opened 1973, Currently Wal*Mart.
• Kapuskasing Model City Mall- former Woolworth - converted to Woolco 1990 - Converted to Wal-Mart. Moved to smaller single level newly constructed building on Highway 11 in 2001
• Kenora - former Woolworth - converted to Woolco 1990 - unionized - not acquired by Wal-Mart - Currently A Bargain Shop! Store
• Kingston - Frontenac Mall - (opened 1967, became Wal-Mart until it moved to new free-standing store in a less-central location, space is now occupied by Value Village, Premier Fitness and Liquidation World)
• Kitchener - Fairview Park Mall - (now Wal-Mart)
• Leamington - (Downtown location - Closed, not converted to Wal-Mart)
• London
  • Argyle Mall - (later Wal-Mart, now part of mall)
  • Oakridge Mall - (later Wal-Mart, mall torn down in 2005 and replaced with a Real Canadian Superstore)
  • White Oaks Mall - (now Wal-Mart)
• Markham - Markville Shopping Centre - (now a Wal-Mart)
• Mississauga -
  • Square One Shopping centre - (Later the largest Wal-mart Location in the World)
  • Meadowvale Town Centre (became Wal-Mart Meadowvale and later torn down for big box stores.
• North Bay - Northgate Square; replaced by Wal-Mart and later Sears when Wal-Mart moved to a new building
• North York North Park Plaza @ Keele/Lawrance, now a small Wal-mart
• Oakville - Converted to Wal-Mart, then closed when Wal-Mart moved to a new location (Now demolished)
• Ottawa
  • Lincoln Heights Galleria - opened 1972 - first location in Ottawa - (now Wal-Mart)
  • Place d'Orleans - later Wal-Mart - now Zellers
  • Merivale Mall - never converted by Wal-Mart - upper floor converted to gym, bar, and others - lower floor now SportChek store and expansion of mall interior floor space
• Owen Sound - Grey County Mall (now closed) - Became a Wal-Mart after Woolco closed. The location is currently a No Frills since Wal-Mart's move to the East side of town.
• Peterborough-Woolco later Wal-Mart now empty space
• Renfrew - Renfrew Mall - Woolworth, then Woolco and later Wal-Mart until new free-standing store built in south end of town in 2003 - call centre now occupies north half of former store
• Sarnia - Lambton Mall - (later Wal-Mart, was partially demolished to make room for additional mall space and a two-story Sears store)
• Sault Ste. Marie - downtown on Queen Street - (now office space)
• St. Catharines - former Lincoln Mall, Bunting Rd & Welland Ave, (now Wal-Mart
• Stratford - downtown - former Woolworth - converted to Woolco 1990 - converted to The Bargain! Shop 1994 sold or leased to Liquidation World 2000 - now vacant
• Sudbury - New Sudbury Centre - former Woolworth - converted into Woolco - in 1994 it was sold to Wal Mart which was demolished and is now a parking lot - Wal Mart was rebuilt in 2004 on the other side of the mall
• Timmins - Downtown - (now vacant)
• Timmins - Timmins Square - (Became Wal-Mart until it moved to new store outside the mall, space now occupied by Sears )
• Toronto - Dufferin Mall - (now Wal-Mart)
• Toronto - Centrepoint Mall (Formerly Towne & Country Mall) - (now Loblaws )
• Toronto - (Thorncliffe Market in East York now a Zeller's at East York Town Centre)
• Toronto - (Agincourt Mall in Scarborough now a Wal-Mart)
• Welland - Seaway Mall - (Woolco #6332 Became Wal-Mart #3110 until it moved to be a big box store on Woodlawn Rd. near Highway 406 ~January 2005, Zellers subsequently moved to the old space moving from a smaller locale at the Seaway Mall.)
• Whitby - Whitby Mall - (Was Woolco at the corner of Thickson Road and Hwy 2 until bought out by Walmart. In 2004 or 2005, the location moved to North Whitby, and it was replaced with a Sobeys.)
• Windsor
  • Eastown Plaza - (at Tecumseh Rd. E. & Lauzon Rd., later Wal-Mart, closed in 2003 when new location opened up 5 blocks west of old location, entire plaza now mostly vacant)
  • Gateway Plaza - (on Dougall Ave., south of EC Row Expressway, later Wal-Mart, former Woolco/Wal-Mart store and plaza torn down in early 2000s and new, larger, free-standing Wal-mart constructed in former parking lot of plaza (north side))
• Woodstock - Blandford Square Mall - (Became a Wal-Mart until it moved to a separate big box format store in 2002. Mall was subsequently torn down in 2006 to make way for a new Toyota assembly plant.)

Quebec

• Alma, Carrefour Alma, Quebec - now Zellers
• Baie-Comeau - former Woolworth - converted to Woolco 1990 - now Wal-Mart
• Brossard - Place Portobello - opened in 1966, first Woolco in Quebec; converted to Wal-Mart in 1994; to be vacant in January 2008 as Wal-Mart moves to a larger location located at Quartier Dix30.
• Chicoutimi - Place du Royaume - now Wal-Mart
• Drummondville - now Wal-Mart
• Granby - now Wal-Mart
• Jonquière - Galeries Jonquière - now Zellers
• Kirkland - became Wal-Mart, demolished in 2003 to make room for The Brick while next door, Wal-Mart moved to the former Provigo and Brault & Martineau, which were demolished.
• Lasalle - became Wal-Mart; moved near the Carrefour Angrignon shopping centre in 2001, as old location was demolished in 2002 to make room for IGA Extra.
• Laval - Centre Laval - now Wal-Mart
• Lévis - Galeries Chagnon - now Zellers
• Longueuil - Rolland Therrien Boul - now Wal-Mart
• Quebec City - (two locations) - opened in 1969 and 1974 - both unionized - not acquired by Wal-Mart
• Repentigny - Galeries Rive-Nord - now Wal-Mart
• Sept-Îles - former Woolworth - converted to Woolco 1990 - now Wal-Mart
• Sherbrooke - Became Wal-Mart until 2005 move to Plateau St. Joseph, most recently a clothing outlet
• St-Eustache - Became Wal-Mart until 2004 then moved elsewhere in the city, now a Sears
• St-Léonard - Carrefour Langelier - now Wal-Mart
• Trois-Rivières - now Wal-Mart
• Valleyfield - unionized - not acquired by Wal-Mart

Saskatchewan

• Moose Jaw - unionized - not acquired by Wal-Mart - now Zellers
• North Battleford - later Wal-Mart - now divided by Boston Pizza, Staples, and Peavey Mart
• Prince Albert - now Wal-Mart
• Regina -
  • Northgate Mall - opened 1965 - later Wal-Mart - now Zellers
  • Southland Mall - now Wal-Mart
• Saskatoon
  • Confederation Mall - now Wal-Mart
  • The Centre - later Wal-Mart (relocated to Preston Crossing January 25, 2005) - now Zellers

Former Woolco locations in the United Kingdom

United Kingdom

• Bournemouth Hampshire Centre
• Hastings, East Sussex Town Centre
• Hatfield, Hertfordshire
• Killingworth, North Tyneside
• Middleton, Greater Manchester - Arndale Centre (on the top floor, now occupied by 'In Shops')
• Newtownards, Northern Ireland
• Oadby, Leicestershire (Became a Gateway store and now ASDA)
• Thornaby, Stockton-on-Tees