Gold Circle
| Company type | Subsidiary |
|---|---|
| Industry | Retail |
| Founded | 1967 |
| Defunct | 1988 |
| Headquarters | Worthington, Ohio , United States |
Area served | New York, Ohio, Kentucky, western Pennsylvania |
| Parent | Federated Department Stores (1967–1988) |
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Gold Circle was an American discount department store chain headquartered in Ohio. Established in 1967 as a subsidiary of Federated Department Stores, the chain operated 76 locations before being sold and ultimately dissolved in 1988.
History
Primarily serving regions including New York, Ohio, Kentucky, and western Pennsylvania, Gold Circle was founded in Columbus, Ohio. Its main corporate offices and distribution hub were situated in Worthington, Ohio, a suburb north of Columbus. In 1984, Gold Circle distinguished itself as the first major discount retailer to adopt UPC barcode scanning across all stores, aiming to enhance checkout efficiency, inventory management, and merchandise restocking speed.
Merger with Richway
In 1986, Federated Department Stores consolidated its discount divisions by merging Gold Circle with Richway Department Stores. Although both chains retained their individual brand identities—with some Richway outlets rebranded as Gold Circle—administrative operations and procurement were centralized at Gold Circle's headquarters in Worthington.
Liquidation
Following the 1988 acquisition of Federated by Campeau Corporation, Gold Circle was liquidated alongside Richway and other underperforming Federated divisions. By the end of 1988, the chain was dismantled; Kimco Development purchased all former store sites, while the corporate offices and distribution center were sold separately. Subsequently, Hills leased 35 former Gold Circle stores across Ohio, New York, and Kentucky, converting them into Hills locations after clearance sales and reopening in early 1989. Several former Gold Circle sites transitioned into Hills or Target stores; others, such as those in Springfield, Ohio and Elyria, Ohio, became Kmart outlets. One location in New Kensington, Pennsylvania had earlier been converted into a Giant Eagle supermarket.
Gallery
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Gold Circle located on Olentangy River Road, Columbus (1989)
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Gold Circle store at Olentangy River Road, Columbus (1989)
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Gold Circle, Olentangy River Road, Columbus (1989)
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Landmark Sign for Gold Circle on Morse Road
(Currently Franklin County Board of Elections)
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Gold Circle at Westerville Mall (1989)
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Entrance to Gold Circle, Westerville Mall (1989)
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Gold Circle store on Olentangy River Road, Columbus (1989)
