The Warner Bros. Studio Store at Manchester Arndale, which opened its doors on September 9, 1993, became a beloved destination for TV and film fans before shutting down in 2001. The store, designed to resemble a Hollywood studio, sold merchandise based on Looney Tunes characters, classic movies such as The Goonies and The Lost Boys, and DC superheroes including Superman and Batman.
A Haven for 90s Kids
For children in the 1990s, the store was a treasure trove of toys, comics, and gifts. It featured a giant Tasmanian Devil above the entrance and a fountain guarded by statues of Bugs Bunny, Daffy Duck, and Elmer Fudd. Visitors could spend hours exploring the store while parents shopped elsewhere in the Arndale centre.
At its launch, the Independent reported a fireworks show was held to celebrate the opening of the first Warner Bros. Studio Store in the UK. Arndale's owners also spent several million pounds refurbishing the premises to enhance the Hollywood-themed experience.
Closure and Corporate Changes
Jackie Prosser, marketing manager for the centre's owner, P&O Shopping Centres, said at the time: "We're delighted to have them opening up here. It's going to boost the image of the centre . . . and from a marketing angle they have such a lot to offer us."
The store's fate changed in 2001 when Warner Bros. merged with AOL, the world's biggest internet provider. Just six months later, all Warner Bros. Studio Stores were announced to be shutting down. According to Animation America, the decision was due to a combination of online shopping gaining traction and a lack of returning customers affecting operational costs.
A Warner Bros spokesperson said: "We're in a wind-down process. Management decided to get out of the owned and operated retail business."
Recent Warner Bros. Developments
Over two decades later, Warner Bros. has faced turbulence, including a bidding war for Paramount that ended with Paramount acquiring it. Paramount's CEO David Ellison has ties to Oracle, founded by his father, Larry Ellison, a technology company with tech supply contracts with the Israeli military. Last month, Paramount settled a lawsuit with a dozen US states, giving the $110 billion merger with Warner Bros Discovery the green light.
Warner Bros. also chose not to release Coyote vs. Acme despite it finishing production, and cancelled Batgirl, citing cost-cutting measures to claim an estimated $30 million tax write-off despite the $70 million production cost. Following years of campaigning, Coyote vs. Acme was finally released on August 28, distributed by Ketchup Entertainment, which bought it from Warner Bros. It has made over £100 million at the time of writing.
The article suggests that if the plucky coyote can complete his mission, perhaps fan support could lead to the Arndale store reopening.
