Two Guys – What Happened to Them?

A Nostalgic Look Back at Two Guys Department Store

For those who grew up in the Northeast during the 1960s and 1970s, the name Two Guys conjures up memories of sprawling aisles, unbeatable prices, and the thrill of a one-stop shopping adventure.

Before the rise of modern big-box retailers like Walmart or Target, Two Guys was a retail pioneer, offering everything from appliances to toys under one roof.

Let’s take a stroll down memory lane and explore the history, charm, and legacy of this iconic discount department store.

The Origins of Two Guys

Founded in 1946 by brothers Herbert and Sidney Hubschman in Harrison, New Jersey, Two Guys from Harrison began with a scrappy entrepreneurial spirit.

The brothers ran a snack bar at the Radio Corporation of America (RCA) plant, where they struck up a friendship with an RCA executive.

During a tour of the plant, Herbert noticed a pile of scratched-cabinet television sets deemed unsalable by retailers.

Seeing an opportunity, the Hubschmans bought these TVs at a discount, marked them up by $5, and sold them from a vacant lot using car windshield flyers.

To their amazement, the entire batch sold out in hours.

This success led to the opening of their first store in 1946 above an empty diner in Harrison.

Initially focused on appliances, the store’s low prices and wide selection quickly drew crowds.

The name Two Guys from Harrison came from competitors’ grumblings about “those two bastards from Harrison,” though the brothers toned it down for newspaper ads, settling on the iconic name.

By the 1950s, the store had expanded to offer clothing, furniture, toys, hardware, and even groceries, becoming a precursor to today’s superstores.

A Retail Empire Expands

In 1959, Two Guys acquired the O.A. Sutton Corporation, makers of the Vornado appliance brand, which gave the company its later parent name, Vornado Inc.

The chain grew rapidly, reaching over 100 locations across states like New York, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Connecticut, Massachusetts, Maryland, Virginia, and even California.

Stores were massive, often spanning 100,000 square feet or more, and featured innovative “stores within a store.”

Many locations included full-sized supermarkets competing with chains like A&P and ShopRite, complete with private-label trading stamps redeemable for merchandise.

The stores were a treasure trove of goods.

Shoppers could find everything from Star Wars action figures to .22 ammo, from clothing to lawn furniture.

Some locations, like those in Bordentown and East Brunswick, New Jersey, even had liquor stores or arcades with pinball machines and miniature bowling games.

The Newark, New Jersey, flagship operated like a traditional department store, complete with display windows and a Rainbow Cafeteria.

The jingle, “We save money for you at Two Guys… Naturally!” became a hallmark of the brand, resonating with families who flocked to stores for affordability and variety.

For many, a trip to Two Guys was an event—a chance to browse toys, snag a black-and-white cookie, or marvel at the latest appliances.

Two Guys: The Decline and Legacy

By the late 1970s, Two Guys faced challenges.

A poorly planned West Coast expansion, coupled with economic downturns and growing competition from newer retailers, led to financial struggles.

In 1981, the chain reported a $20 million loss for the first half of the year (about $56.8 million in 2023 dollars).

Vornado began liquidating stores, leasing many locations to competitors like Montgomery Ward and Bradlees. By 1982, Two Guys was defunct.

Vornado shifted focus to real estate, becoming Vornado Realty Trust, which still owns and leases many former Two Guys properties.

Sites like the Hudson Avenue store in Rochester, now a Walmart, and the Greece location, anchored by a Lowe’s, remain retail hubs today.

Memories That Endure

For those who shopped there, Two Guys was more than a store—it was a community hub.

Kids raced to the toy aisles for Corgi die-cast cars or Atari games, while parents hunted for deals on appliances or clothing.

The pet department sold everything from fish to, briefly, piranhas.

The record section rivaled specialty stores, and the hot dog stands and Italian ice carts added to the experience.

Two Guys left a lasting mark on retail history.

It was a proving ground for Bernie Marcus, a founder of Home Depot, who started his career managing concessions at the Totowa, New Jersey, store.

Its all-in-one model paved the way for modern superstores.

Share Your Two Guys Story

Do you remember shopping at Two Guys? Maybe you hunted for holiday gifts in Hackensack or played pinball in Wayne.

Share your memories in the comments below!

Let’s celebrate the legacy of a store that shaped an era of shopping.