J.C. Penney owned The Treasury chain of discount stores, which had three locations in Memphis. The discount stores were orginally called Treasure Island but changed due to copyright laws. The zig zag pattern in the roof architecture was reflected in their logo and tagline.

Like today's SuperWalmarts, The Treasury was a department store and grocery store combined. After you purchased your groceries, the bags were placed in plastic tubs, put on a conveyor track, and rolled outside. You drove your car around and bag boys placed your groceries in your car.

The recessions of the 1970s and early 1980s caused J.C. Penney to close around 1981.

The Treasury Lamar

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Looking across the parking lot at what was the front of the store,
as memories of The Treasury fade into the sunset.

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Do you have photos of The Treasury stores in their heyday?
Send them to us.