Despite the heartfelt platitudes on its gifts, it is not immune to the woes of most mid and low-level mall retailers. In 2012, private equity firm Madison Dearborn Partners acquired Things Remembered Inc. Things Remembered declined a request for an interview and is a private company, but there’s a trail of information available about its financial history. Penney, and Macy’s: exactly the kinds of places that you think of when you see headlines declaring the near-death of the mall. And it’s often found in malls that are anchored by stores like Sears, J.C. The company prides itself on customer service and its commitment to giving back through a partnership with the Make-a-Wish Foundation and its support of various charities.īut there’s something worth pointing out that is likely known to anyone who’s ever made a purchase there: It is very much a Mall Store. It occupies that intersection of online, in person, personal enough, and quick. Since then, it has grown to well over 600 stores, though various locations have shut down in recent years. Being thoughtful is hard knowing someone likes whiskey and their name is not.Īccording to the history it details on its website, Things Remembered was launched as a small store called Can Do over 40 years ago. It appears to pride itself on being a leader in personalization - if personalization to you means “has my name on it,” which to some, it does. The types of gifts are also myriad, if generic - boozy Man-with-a-capital-M gifts like decanters mother-in-law gifts like bags, robes, or jewelry boss gifts like desk pieces a $45 “personalized decision maker,” should you need something for the Chidi from The Good Place in your life.

Mix and match locations and relationships featured on the website and you have a recipe for a year’s worth of improv show suggestions. Things Remembered is generally known for engraving a multitude of sentimental gifts for any occasion (housewarming, wedding, back to school) or relationship you can think of (boss, client, coworker). Photo: Things Rememberedīut despite what these women think about Things Remembered now, just as its name promises, they - and you, probably - remember the items purchased or gifted from there (and chances are you probably don’t throw these things out, because that would induce guilt your name is on it). Personalized beverage holders from Things Remembered. That type of design is not really my style.” “While I experienced a warm, cozy feeling when I saw the store, I am not sure I would buy something there today.

She says shopping there is “not even something that comes to mind when I’m looking for a gift for others.”Īnd Melanie, who lives in Silver Spring, Maryland, still has a Christmas ornament she received as a gift from her college newspaper editor. She liked it because it had her name on it - it was something she couldn’t easily find, even if she didn’t really like the style. Meredith, who lives in Jersey City, recalls receiving a locket from Things Remembered as a gift. I suppose nice gifts from or for coworkers or bosses would be appropriate to get at Things Remembered, or engraved products for special occasions like weddings.”

We could just go in and be done within an hour.” Now, Jennifer, who is from Chicago, says, “I probably won’t go into Things Remembered unless somehow I heard they were way more modern now. “We purchased from because it was inexpensive and easy. “We also got an engraved cake server as a gift, and my ex got the groomsmen engraved keychains,” she says. You can also see what we’re up to by signing up here.įor her first wedding, Jennifer and her ex-husband ordered Champagne glasses from Things Remembered. The archives will remain available here for new stories, head over to Vox.com, where our staff is covering consumer culture for The Goods by Vox. Thank you to everyone who read our work over the years.

Things remembered picture frames