Goodbye in '08

As we welcome in the New Year of 2008 there are some of our favorite things that we will lose this year.

You Won't See These
In 2008


Grape Pop-Tarts
Kellogg discontinued production of frosted grape Pop-Tarts in May due to low customer demand. There have been many flavors of Pop-Tarts debuted since their launch in 1964.


How can so many people like wine but not Grape Pop-Tarts?


House & Garden Magazine
After the December issue, the 106-year-old magazine is being shut down for the second time. It folded in 1993 before being relaunched two years later. It was one of Condé Nast's oldest titles.


And now how will my garden grow?



CompUSA
Can you believe the richest man in the world, Carlos Slim, could turn a multi-billion dollar investment into zero dollars in just eight years? Well, he did. A consumer electronics retailer for 20 years, CompUSA will be closing its remaining 103 stores by the end of 2007 due to financial difficulties amid tough competition from retailers like Best Buy.


I hated the store but they had the hard-to-find items.


Bombay Company
You won't be seeing Bombay Company after this holiday season. Founded in 1978, the furniture and home accessories retailer officially filed for bankruptcy in September of 2007. It has been sold to Gordon Brothers/Hilco.



I always thought it was a bar specializing in Gin. Maybe others did too which contributed to its demise.


Levitz
Levitz used to be one of the biggest home furniture stores in the U.S. However, this year it has filed for bankruptcy for the third (and final) time in 10 years.

Founded in 1910, the 97-year-old furniture store began closing its 76 stores this December.


To think after 97 years they couldn't get it right.



Coca-Cola Blak
Introduced to much fanfare in 2006, Coke Blak was Coca-Cola's attempt at mixing Coke with coffee. An eight-ounce bottle of Coca-Cola Blak contained 46 milligrams of caffeine.

In late August, after just one year on the market, it was announced that Coca-Cola will discontinue the drink once supplies run out.


What fanfare. I never heard of it so I guess a lot of other people haven't either and that may be why it is going away.



Topps Meat
Founded in 1940 by Benjamin Sachs, Topps Meat Company distributed and produced frozen ground beef. The company ceased production in October due to E. coli contamination -- making history by conducting one of the largest beef recalls in the U.S., second only to Hudson Food Company's recall in 1997.


If they can't keep their machines clean then they deserve to close.



The McRib

Originally added to McDonald's menu in 1981, the McRib was first discontinued back in 1985 due to mediocre sales. Following some occasional limited runs, it was pulled again in 2005 following a 'McRib Farewell Tour.'

McDonald's brought back the McRib once again in October for the 'McRib Farewell Tour 3.'


The McRib has had more farewell tours than Cher.



Cingular
When AT&T acquired BellSouth in December of 2006, it also heralded the end to Cingular. Cingular also came under AT&T with this acquisition, and its brand was eventually weeded out from AT&T during the acquisition transition that ended in June.


I'm so confused.

Sad to see so much change and businesses closing!!!