SAN FRANCISCO — Fry’s Electronics, the go-to chain for tech tinkerers looking for an obscure part, is closing for good.
The company, perhaps even more well known for outlandish themes at some of its stores, from Aztec to “Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland,” said Wednesday in an online postingthat the COVID-19 pandemic had made it impossible to continue.
Fans immediately took to Twitter to post images and memories (good and bad).
The chain was concentrated on the West Coast, but had 31 stores in nine states, including in Fishers. It was founded 36 years ago.
The pandemic has done heavy damage to retailers, but Fry’s was already getting hammered by online competition and a battle between heavy-hitters Best Buy and Amazon.com.
Fry’s Electronics Inc. said its operations have ceased and the wind-down of locations will begin immediately. Customers with electronics being repaired in-store store are being asked to pick them up.
The store's online presence appears largely to have been shut down.
Fry's is only the latest electronics chain to close in recent years.
In 2009, Circuit City closed all its physical locations and was revived in 2016 as an online-only retailer. Indiana-based HHGregg ceased operations in 2017.
People with questions should use the following contacts:
- Customers who have equipment being repaired should email customerservice@frys.com.
- Customers with items needing repair under a performance service contract should call 1-800-811-1745.
- Consignment vendors needing to pick up their consignment inventory at Fry's locations should email omnichannel@frys.com.
