J.J. Newberry stores were a popular five-and-dime chain that ultimately ceased operations, with most closing in the late 1990s and the final ones shuttering around 2001-2002 as the parent company, McCrory, went out of business, a casualty of changing retail trends like competition from big-box stores. The closures were part of a larger trend for variety stores that struggled with bankruptcy and rebranding efforts like Dollar Zone.

Key Points on the Discontinuation:

Bankruptcy & Restructuring: J.J. Newberry, under its parent company McCrory, filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy in 1992, leading to early closures.

Mass Closures (Mid-90s): By 1997, hundreds of McCrory and Newberry stores were shut down.

Rebranding & Final Collapse (2000-2002): Remaining locations were often converted to Dollar Zone, but the entire chain liquidated by February 2002, with the last Newberry store closing in 2001.

Reasons: Increased competition from newer retailers like Kmart and mall development significantly impacted the older five-and-dime model, notes Historic North Adams.