Hills Department Stores: Remembering Toys and Snack Bars in Youngstown, Ohio
Hills Department Stores began in Youngstown, Ohio, and became a familiar shopping destination across several states. Explore its history, memorable toy department, beloved snack bar, and eventual conversion to Ames.
Opening
Sometimes, the strongest memory of a department store comes from its entrance.
In a published recollection about Hills in Bridgeport, West Virginia, writer Jeff Toquinto remembered the smell of popcorn greeting shoppers as the doors opened. He also recalled large pretzels and frozen drinks. These were small treats, but they made an ordinary shopping trip memorable.
That mix of shopping and anticipation helps explain Hills’ lasting appeal. The chain began in Youngstown, Ohio, in 1957. Decades later, its identity disappeared as stores converted to Ames. Yet published memories still connect Hills with childhood outings, toys, and a stop at the snack bar.
At a Glance
| Detail | History |
|---|---|
| Place | Hills Department Stores |
| Also known as | Hills; Hills Stores Company |
| Historical location | Founded in Youngstown, Ohio; later operated across multiple states |
| Category | Discount department store |
| Opened/established | 1957 |
| Closed/disappeared | Stores converted to Ames or closed during 1999 |
| Current status | Historical retail chain; former properties require individual research |
| Remembered for | Toy departments, family shopping, and snack bars |
The founding information comes from the International Directory of Company Histories. Ames’ financial filing documents the store conversions and closures.
How It Began
Herbert H. Goldberger founded Hills in 1957 after operating hosiery stores. The first Hills department store opened in Youngstown, Ohio.
By 1964, the business had seven stores and was sold to SCOA Industries. Expansion followed, bringing Hills to more communities in Ohio, Pennsylvania, and West Virginia.
Its appeal centered on value for families. Clothing and household goods were important, but toys helped give the chain a distinct identity.
What Made It Special
A toy department worth exploring
Hills maintained a substantial toy selection throughout the year. Its company history reports that toys accounted for more than 10 percent of sales.
That mattered because some larger discount retailers expanded their toy departments mainly around the holidays. At Hills, toys remained an important part of the everyday shopping experience.
The snack bar became part of the trip
Published memories show how closely shoppers connected Hills with its food.
Toquinto’s Bridgeport recollection describes popcorn, pretzels, frozen drinks, and hot dogs. His account captures one location’s experience; menus and arrangements could differ between stores.
Meanwhile, a 2023 Pittsburgh Magazine article recalls a birthday visit involving a cherry ICEE, a coin-operated horse, and a newly selected He-Man toy. It is a personal memory, but it shows how shopping, food, and childhood excitement could come together.
Memories that outlasted the stores
The snack bar’s appeal survived long after the department stores disappeared.
In July 2023, Pittsburgh Magazine reported on a mobile Hills Snack Bar’s grand opening. Hundreds of visitors came for nostalgic treats. That gathering offered a visible reminder of the affection attached to the old shopping experience.
The Final Chapter
Hills’ financial troubles developed over several years. Debt, expansion costs, recession, and competition contributed to its February 1991 bankruptcy filing. The company reorganized and emerged from bankruptcy in October 1993.
However, recovery did not preserve the Hills name.
According to Ames’ financial filing, its acquisition subsidiary obtained control of Hills on December 31, 1998. Hills later merged into Ames in April 1999.
At acquisition, Hills operated 155 stores. During 1999, Ames remodeled and converted 151 of them. The other four closed. Conversions took place in stages, with the final stage completed in late September.
For many communities, the first change was a new store name. A former Hills building could continue serving shoppers even though the familiar brand had disappeared.
What’s There Now?
There is no single answer because Hills operated many locations.
Ames’ filing establishes what happened to the chain’s stores during 1999. It does not establish who occupies each former property today. A current tenant, demolition date, or surviving sign must be checked against a specific address.
Current-site verification: No individual property has been verified for this chain overview as of October 12, 2026.
For a local follow-up, useful evidence includes property records, dated photographs, planning documents, and the current occupant’s official location page.
Do You Remember Hills?
Did your family head for the toy department first, or stop at the snack bar before shopping? Which Hills location did you visit, and what treat or purchase do you remember most?
Share your memories in the comments, including the city and approximate year.
Have an old storefront photograph, receipt, advertisement, or employee keepsake? Tell Forgotten Spots what you have and whether you own the rights or have permission to share it. Those details can help preserve a more complete local history.
Sources and Credits
- Hills Stores Company — Encyclopedia.com: Company history by Carol I. Keeley, including origins, merchandising, and bankruptcy.
- Ames Department Stores — Form 10-Q for April 29, 2000: Corporate filing reproduced by SEC Info; documents the acquisition and 1999 conversions.
- Jeff Toquinto’s Hills snack bar recollection — Connect Bridgeport: Published May 13, 2023.
- Hills Snack Bar Is Where the Foodie Joys Are — Pittsburgh Magazine: Published July 17, 2023; includes an attributed childhood memory and reporting on the mobile snack bar.