Defunct stores of yesterday, yesteryear

By Megan Jicha, Boston.com Correspondent

Lechmere

First opened: 1913

Closed: 1997

Locations: Lechmere had about 24 stores throughout New England and New York.

Lechmere was founded in Boston. When the retail store tried to expand across Massachusetts it faced many financial and business issues. In 1968, Dayton Hudson Corp. bought and took over the stores. The chain was sold again In 1989 to Boston mall developers Steve Karp and Steve Wiener, and again in 1994 to Montgomery Ward. However, due to competition from larger discount stores like Wal-Mart and Target, Lechmere closed all its stores 1997.

First opened: 1913 Closed: 1997 Locations: Lechmere had about 24 stores throughout New England and New York. Lechmere was founded in Boston. When the retail store tried to expand across Massachusetts it faced many financial and business issues. In 1968, Dayton Hudson Corp. bought and took over the stores. The chain was sold again In 1989 to Boston mall developers Steve Karp and Steve Wiener, and again in 1994 to Montgomery Ward. However, due to competition from larger discount stores like Wal-Mart and Target, Lechmere closed all its stores 1997.