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{{Short description|American retail store chain (1994–2001)}}
{{Infobox company
| name = Store of Knowledge Inc.
| fate = Bankruptcy, liquidated
| foundation = August 23, 1993<!--Delaware. Registered in California on September 17.-->
| founder = 
| defunct = June 8, 2001
| logo = Store of Knowledge logo.png
| location = [[Cerritos, California]], United States
| industry = [[Retail]]
| products = Toys; educational products
| owners = [[KCET]]; [[Lakeshore Learning Materials]]; [[Riordan, Lewis & Haden]]
| website = [https://web.archive.org/web/19981111190133/http://www.storeofknowledge.com/ storeofknowledge.com] (archived)
}}

'''Store of Knowledge Inc.''' ('''SOK''') was an American retail chain selling educational items and children's toys. Owned and operated by a company of the same name based in [[Cerritos, California]], SOK was in business between 1994 and 2001. At its closure, it operated 91 stores in 25 states and Washington, D.C.

The majority of SOK stores were operated in association with [[PBS|public television]] stations in the local areas where they were constructed, though later SOK built or purchased some stores with no public television affiliation. The chain had 27 of these partnerships throughout the United States. Deals with local stations varied but typically involved partial ownership of the store and a share of proceeds, attractive at a time when public stations nationally were looking for new income sources in response to potential federal funding cuts. The chain was co-owned by public television station [[KCET]] in Los Angeles; [[Lakeshore Learning Materials]]; and private equity firm [[Riordan, Lewis & Haden]].

Despite space in premier malls in major markets and having outlasted rival chain Learningsmith (later acquiring some of its leases), SOK failed at the same time as some of its direct competitors, notably [[Zany Brainy]], amid a soft economy and a downturn in the market for educational children's toys.

==Establishment==
In 1991, a similar chain known as Learningsmith began operating. Learningsmith had similar connections to public broadcasting elsewhere; Boston's [[WGBH-TV]] was a backer, and it also was allied with [[WNET]] in New York, [[WETA-TV]] in Washington, and [[WCNY-TV]] in [[Syracuse, New York]].<ref name="LosA940711">{{Cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-los-angeles-times-public-broadcastin/127310435/|date=July 11, 1994|page=D2|first=Greg|last=Johnson|title=Public Broadcasting Interacts With Shoppers|newspaper=The Los Angeles Times|via=Newspapers.com|access-date=June 30, 2023}}</ref><!-- Mon --> The chain approached KCET about opening stores and receiving royalties, but the station was more interested in creating its own concept that it would own.{{r|LosA940331}} Leonard Straus, former chairman of [[Thrifty PayLess|Thrifty Drug]] and a member of the board of KCET, had suggested the idea of starting an educational materials store. Straus brought in Lakeshore Learning, and the two formulated the concept for the chain.{{r|WSJ}} Public television stations would provide community goodwill and a built-in shopper base; Lakeshore supplied merchandising and warehouse services; and Riordan, Lewis & Haden provided the venture capital.{{r|LosA940331}}

The first store, a {{convert|4500|ft2|m2|adj=on}} unit in the [[Glendale Galleria]] in [[Glendale, California]], opened in April 1994.<ref name="LosA940331">{{Cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-los-angeles-times-public-tv-is-headi/127310384/|date=March 31, 1994|page=F13|first=Judith|last=Michaelson|title=Public TV Is Heading to the Malls|newspaper=The Los Angeles Times|via=Newspapers.com|access-date=June 30, 2023}}</ref><!-- Thu --> By January 1995, KCET had opened four units in the Los Angeles metro area.<ref name="Thou950116">{{Cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/thousand-oaks-star-public-tv-station-sta/127310518/|date=January 16, 1995|page=B10|agency=Associated Press|title=Public TV station starts store chain to stay afloat|newspaper=Thousand Oaks Star|via=Newspapers.com|access-date=June 30, 2023}}</ref><!-- Mon --> While KCET had conceived of the chain as a way to raise money amid a challenging recession in Southern California,<ref>{{Cite news|title=New shop promotes learning: KCET store offers educational toys|page=N3|work=Daily News of Los Angeles|first=Virginia|last=Gonzalez|date=April 5, 1994}}</ref> threatened cuts to public broadcasting after Republicans took control of the [[United States House of Representatives]] in [[1994 United States elections|1994]] spurred additional interest.{{r|Thou950116}} It was also a profitable venture for KCET in its first holiday season.{{r|Dail950108}}

==National expansion==
The first units in other markets debuted in 1995. On May 5, SOK and [[WHYY-TV]] in Philadelphia opened the first location beyond the KCET area and the first of a planned four area stores at [[Willow Grove Park Mall]].<ref name="Phil950515">{{Cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-philadelphia-inquirer-knowing-learni/127346841/|date=May 15, 1995|pages=E1, [https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-philadelphia-inquirer-a-whyy-store-o/127346859/ E11]|first=Lea|last=Sitton|title=Knowing learning's value: Mother knows best. Son brings the Store of Knowledge here.|newspaper=The Philadelphia Inquirer|via=Newspapers.com|access-date=June 30, 2023}}</ref><!-- Mon --> In August, the first two [[WTTW]] Stores of Knowledge debuted in Chicago out of a planned eight;<ref>{{Cite news|title=WTTW Stakes Name on New Store|first=Lisa|last=Holton|page=39|work=[[Chicago Sun-Times]]|date=August 25, 1995}}</ref> in October, a store in alliance with [[Oregon Public Broadcasting]] debuted at the [[Clackamas Town Center]] in suburban [[Portland, Oregon|Portland]].<ref>{{Cite news|title=Shopping mall store will broaden OPB base|page=C2|first=Lisa|last=Daniels|work=[[The Oregonian]]|date=October 6, 1995}}</ref>

As Learningsmith backed off from its previous affiliations with public television and underwent an internal restructuring,{{r|Dail970511}} two of the large PBS member stations that worked with it started Stores of Knowledge: in October 1996, WNET opened its first unit in the [[Garden State Plaza]],<ref>{{Cite news|title=Store of Knowledge opens educated customers: Chain has public TV theme|work=The Record|first=L.|last=Coleman-Lochner|id={{ProQuest|424790937}}|page=B1|date=October 9, 1996}}</ref> and WETA partnered with the chain to start the first of four units in the [[Washington, D.C.]], area in April 1997.{{r|Wash970429}} There were also two notable holdouts. SOK expanded into the [[Seattle]] area even though it was unsuccessful on two occasions to encourage [[KCTS-TV]] there to participate; KCTS was already running a for-profit store.<ref name="WSJ">{{cite news|work=[[The Wall Street Journal]]|date=December 8, 1997|page=B1|title=Retailing: So Long, Santa, Here's Mr. Rogers|first=Paulette|last=Thomas|id={{ProQuest|398821787}}}}</ref> It also opened a store at the [[Wolfchase Galleria]] in [[Memphis, Tennessee]], though [[WKNO (TV)|WKNO]] and SOK never reached an agreement; this was the first non-affiliated store in the chain.<ref name="Comm970424">{{Cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-commercial-appeal-store-of-knowledge/127310980/|date=April 24, 1997|page=B7|first=Laurel|last=Campbell|title=Store of Knowledge opens at Wolfchase|newspaper=The Commercial Appeal|via=Newspapers.com|access-date=June 30, 2023}}</ref><!-- Thu --> Other new markets added in 1996 and 1997 included [[Atlanta]],<ref name="Ledg961201">{{Cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/ledger-enquirer-shopping-for-knowledge/127310301/|date=December 1, 1996|pages=D1, [https://www.newspapers.com/article/ledger-enquirer-store-of-knowledge/127310245/ D9]|first=Mick|last=Walsh|title=Shopping for Knowledge: Public Television enters the world of the 'mall rat'|newspaper=Ledger-Enquirer|via=Newspapers.com|access-date=June 30, 2023}}</ref><!-- Sun --> [[Kansas City, Missouri|Kansas City]],{{r|Kans961011}} [[Miami]],<ref name="Miam970303">{{Cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-miami-herald-at-wpbt-fundraising-go/127330341/|date=March 3, 1997|page=Business Monday 7|first=Alina|last=Matas|title=At WPBT, fundraising goes retail|newspaper=The Miami Herald|via=Newspapers.com|access-date=June 30, 2023}}</ref><!-- Mon --> [[Minneapolis]] (at the [[Mall of America]]),<ref name="Star980726">{{Cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/star-tribune-toy-story/127312960/|date=July 26, 1998|pages=D1, [https://www.newspapers.com/article/star-tribune-stores/127312944/ D7]|first=Janet|last=Moore|title=Toy Story|newspaper=Star Tribune|via=Newspapers.com|access-date=June 30, 2023}}</ref><!-- Sun --> [[Pittsburgh]],<ref name="Pitt961010">{{Cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/pittsburgh-post-gazette-pittsburgh-will/127310852/|date=October 10, 1996|page=D-4|first=Barbara|last=Vancheri|title=Pittsburgh will serve as backdrop for tomorrow's 'Day & Date'|newspaper=Pittsburgh Post-Gazette|via=Newspapers.com|access-date=June 30, 2023}}</ref><!-- Thu --> 1998 and 1999 brought new metropolitan areas including [[Phoenix, Arizona|Phoenix]]<ref name="Ariz980909">{{Cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/arizona-daily-star-public-tv-station-to/127312005/|date=September 9, 1998|page=2B|agency=Associated Press|title=Public TV station to receive income from retail chain|newspaper=Arizona Daily Star|via=Newspapers.com|access-date=June 30, 2023}}</ref><!-- Wed --> and [[Tampa, Florida|Tampa]]<ref name="Tamp990226">{{Cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/tampa-bay-times-malls-future-is-in-the/127347447/|date=February 26, 1999|pages=1A, 5A|first=Mark|last=Albright|title=Mall's future is in the past|newspaper=St. Petersburg Times|via=Newspapers.com|access-date=June 30, 2023}}</ref><!-- Fri --> and [[Orlando, Florida]].<ref name="Orla980413">{{Cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-orlando-sentinel-seminole-towne-cent/127311754/|date=April 13, 1998|page=CFB 6|first=Christopher|last=Boyd|title=Seminole Towne Center shop will have stamp of WMFE|newspaper=The Orlando Sentinel|via=Newspapers.com|access-date=June 30, 2023}}</ref><!-- Mon --> Between May 1997 and May 1998, the chain's headquarters moved within the Los Angeles area, from [[Carson, California|Carson]] to [[Cerritos, California|Cerritos]].{{r|Dail970511}}<ref name="LosA980512">{{Cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-los-angeles-times-discovery-process/127311816/|date=May 12, 1998|page=D2|title=Discovery Process: The owner of the cable TV channel is converting its Nature Company stores and experimenting with new retail formats|first=George|last=White|newspaper=The Los Angeles Times|via=Newspapers.com|access-date=June 30, 2023}}</ref><!-- Tue -->

In 1999, Learningsmith filed for bankruptcy and began liquidating its 87 stores. After contemplating acquiring as many as 64 leases,<ref>{{Cite news|title=Retailer to unload leases|page=56|work=[[Boston Herald]]|date=December 15, 1999|first=Greg|last=Gatlin}}</ref> SOK acquired the leases of 21 units of Learningsmith for $920,000, (~${{Format price|{{Inflation|index=US-GDP|value=920000|start_year=2000}}}} in {{Inflation/year|US-GDP}}) reopening the locations as Stores of Knowledge in January 2000.<ref name="Cinc000126">{{Cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-cincinnati-enquirer-educational-toy/127323756/|date=January 26, 2000|page=B10|first=Lisa|last=Biank Fasig|title=Educational toy chain acquired|newspaper=The Cincinnati Enquirer|via=Newspapers.com|access-date=June 30, 2023}}</ref><!-- Wed --> The Learningsmith leases acquired included locations in additional markets where the company did not have ties with the public television station, such as [[Nashville, Tennessee|Nashville]].<ref name="Tenn991223">{{Cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-tennessean-learningsmith-cedes-to-kn/127312184/|date=December 23, 1999|page=1E|first=Getahn|last=Ward|title=Learningsmith cedes to Knowledge|newspaper=The Tennessean|via=Newspapers.com|access-date=June 30, 2023}}</ref><!-- Thu --> In some cases, they expanded the chain's presence in existing markets; the Learningsmith store at [[MacArthur Center]] in [[Norfolk, Virginia]], became a Store of Knowledge, joining another in [[Virginia Beach, Virginia|Virginia Beach]] affiliated with [[WHRO-TV]].<ref>{{Cite news|date=December 29, 1999|page=D2|first=Jennifer|last=Goldblatt|title=Learningsmith educational toy stores to be sold|work=[[The Virginian-Pilot]]}}</ref>

The chain also expressed interest in its final year in expanding its transportation offerings, such as [[model train]]s. It attempted to buy the 56-unit Great Train Store chain but failed to reach an accord before the company was liquidated. As a test, it set aside a quarter of the [[Orland Square Mall]] store in south suburban Chicago as a "Transportation Station" and considered expanding it into a separate chain of stores. CEO Jim Berk believed that consolidation in the space would leave mall vacancies and that landlords would be receptive to a new concept from an existing retailer.<ref name="LosA001226">{{Cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-los-angeles-times-retailers-laying-y/127337895/|date=December 26, 2000|pages=C1, [https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-los-angeles-times-trains-transformi/127337884/ C2]|first=Jerry|last=Hirsch|title=Retailers Laying Year-Round Track for Model Trains|newspaper=The Los Angeles Times|via=Newspapers.com|access-date=June 30, 2023}}</ref><!-- Tue -->

==Bankruptcy and liquidation==
In early 2001, the chain began to have cash flow issues after a poor holiday season and began "scrambling for capital", in Berk's words.{{r|GDA010302}} The manager of the Store of Knowledge in [[Indianapolis, Indiana|Indianapolis]], in association with [[WFYI (TV)|WFYI]], told the ''[[Indianapolis Business Journal]]'' that the first sign of trouble was when restocking orders were ignored.<ref>{{Cite news|date=April 23, 2001|first=Saideh|last=Barlow|title=National retail chain pulls plug - Unique shop leaves hole on third floor |work=Indianapolis Business Journal}}</ref>  Additionally, a third attempt within a month to purchase the mall stores of the bankrupt [[Natural Wonders]] chain was rejected in March 2001, preventing Store of Knowledge from achieving [[Critical mass (sociodynamics)|critical mass]] in its store base.<ref>{{Cite news|first=Judith|last=Rosen|date=April 16, 2001|work=[[Publishers Weekly]]|title=Store of Knowledge in Chapter 11|id={{EBSCOhost|4343045}} }}</ref><ref name="GDA010302">{{Cite news|url=https://www.giftsanddec.com/business-news/store-of-knowledge-still-trying-for-natural-wonders/|work=Gifts & Decorative Accessories|date=March 2, 2001|title=Store of Knowledge still trying for Natural Wonders|access-date=July 4, 2023}}</ref> The failure to acquire the Natural Wonders stores led president and CEO Berk to defer his salary and the chain to defer $2 million in royalty payments to participating stations.<ref>{{Cite magazine|date=April 2001|magazine=Playthings|title=Crisis intervention|id={{EBSCOhost|4336544}} }}</ref>

On March 28, 2001, Store of Knowledge filed for [[Chapter 11]] bankruptcy protection. It immediately closed 21 stores on April 1 and began liquidating the remaining 70.<ref name="StLo010413">{{Cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/st-louis-post-dispatch-store-of-knowled/127310222/|date=April 13, 2001|page=C8|first=Chern|last=Yeh Kwok|title=Store of Knowledge is liquidating 70 stores; 2 have link to KETC|newspaper=St. Louis Post-Dispatch|via=Newspapers.com|access-date=June 30, 2023}}</ref><!-- Fri --> The move to wind down the chain came just weeks after Berk told trade publication ''Gifts & Decorative Accessories'' that it had no plans to open or close stores in the immediate future.{{r|GDA010302}} The $30 million (~${{Format price|{{Inflation|index=US-GDP|value=30000000|start_year=2001}}}} in {{Inflation/year|US-GDP}}) liquidation concluded on June 8, 2001.{{r|Fort010717}} At the time the chain was slumping, it was part of an overall market trend that also saw a bankruptcy filing for [[Zany Brainy]], increased competition from other retailers, and a decrease in new educational software titles for computers.<ref name="Miam010702">{{Cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-miami-herald-retailers-manufacturer/127324029/|date=July 2, 2001|pages=Business Monday 17, [https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-miami-herald-slump-felt-in-children/127323999/ 20]|first=Shannon|last=Tan|title=Retailers, manufacturers try to figure out the market for educational software|newspaper=The Miami Herald|via=Newspapers.com|access-date=June 30, 2023}}</ref><!-- Mon --> Kurt Barnard, editor of industry newsletter ''Barnard's Retail Trend Report'', noted that regional shopping malls were not appropriate places for educational toy stores with their high rents and mismatched customer bases.<ref>{{Cite news|title=Toys 'R' Useful: Stores cash in on educational playthings|date=January 16, 2002|work=[[Education Week]]|first=Mark|last=Walsh|id={{EBSCOhost|6097264}} }}</ref>

At bankruptcy auction, the competitor [[Discovery Channel]] Store chain acquired 11 leases.<ref name="Fort010717">{{Cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/fort-worth-star-telegram-store-of-knowle/127312451/|date=July 17, 2001|page=3C|first=Jewel|last=Gopwani|title=Store of Knowledge finds buyer for 11 locations|newspaper=Fort Worth Star-Telegram|via=Newspapers.com|access-date=June 30, 2023}}</ref><!-- Tue -->

==Public television involvement==
With the exception of KCET, which owned part of the chain itself and thus benefited financially from the opening of new stores everywhere in the United States,<ref name="Dail970511">{{Cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-daily-breeze-public-tvs-minding-the/127311048/|date=May 11, 1997|page=B1, [https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-daily-breeze-store/127311014/ B2]|first=Carrie|last=Sommer|title=Public TV's Minding the Store: Knowledge hits the shelves at Carson company's mall outlets|newspaper=The Daily Breeze|via=Newspapers.com|access-date=June 30, 2023}}</ref><!-- Sun --> individual public television stations generally owned 15 to 25 percent of the store<ref name="Wash970429">{{Cite news|work=[[The Washington Times]]|first=Doug|last=Abrahms|date=April 29, 1997|page=B6|title=Store of Knowledge joins WETA in retail effort}}</ref><ref name="Dail950108">{{Cite news|title=KCET hopes to raise funds with retailing: Store of Knowledge could become hedge against cuts|date=January 8, 1995|work=Daily News of Los Angeles|page=B1|first=Deborah|last=Adamson}}</ref> and received royalties or a one-percent cut of sales. A typical store grossed $2 million a year in sales.{{r|Ledg961201}} In exchange, stations provided promotional assistance.<ref name="Kans961011">{{Cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-kansas-city-star-a-capital-idea-for/126531349/|date=October 11, 1996|pages=B-1, [https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-kansas-city-star-kcpt-set-to-move-in/126531300/ B-6]|first=Steve|last=Everly|title=A capital idea for KCPT: Federal cuts force stations, others to seek revenue through retailing|newspaper=The Kansas City Star|via=Newspapers.com|access-date=June 30, 2023}}</ref><!-- Fri --> However, some early proceeds went toward expansion of the chain.<ref name="Mark950814">{{Cite news|work=Marketing News|id={{ProQuest|216324490}}|date=August 14, 1995|title=PBS TV stations seek new revenue through licensing|first=Chad|last=Rubel|pages=1–2}}</ref> Stores typically provided information and a telephone connection for prospective new members to the affiliated station.{{r|Wash970429}}

Annual profits generally ranged from $18,000{{r|Ariz980909}} to $100,000 a year for stations.{{r|Fort010717}}

==Partners==
At the time the chain closed, 27 public television stations were associated with Store of Knowledge.<ref>{{Cite web|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20001207044300/http://www.storeofknowledge.com/PublicTV.html|url=http://www.storeofknowledge.com/PublicTV.html|archive-date=December 7, 2000|url-status=dead|title=Public Television and Store of Knowledge|website=Store of Knowledge}} The body text says "26", but the count is 27. Connecticut Public Television joined late in 2000.</ref> The chain operated 91 stores, of which 12 had no affiliation with a public TV station in their area.<ref>{{Cite web|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20001207053300/http://www.storeofknowledge.com:80/StoresNearYou.html|url=http://www.storeofknowledge.com:80/StoresNearYou.html|archive-date=December 7, 2000|url-status=dead|title=Stores Near You|website=Store of Knowledge}}</ref>

{{div col}}
* [[Connecticut Public Television]]
* [[Georgia Public Broadcasting|Georgia Public Television]]
* [[KAET]], Phoenix
* [[KCET]], Los Angeles
* [[KCPT]], Kansas City
* [[KERA-TV|KERA]]/[[KDTN]], Dallas–Fort Worth
* [[KETC]], St. Louis
* [[KPBS (TV)|KPBS]], San Diego
* [[KRMA]], Denver<ref>{{Cite news|title=The Dinosaur That Ate PBS: Barney just one money-raising scheme|first=Joanne|last=Ostrow|date=December 14, 1997|work=[[The Denver Post]]|page=H1}}</ref>
* [[KUHT]], Houston
* [[KQEH|KTEH]], San Jose, California
* [[Twin Cities PBS|KTCA]], Minneapolis
* [[Oregon Public Broadcasting]]
* [[WCET (TV)|WCET]], Cincinnati
* [[WEDU]], Tampa
* [[WETA-TV]], Washington, D.C.
* [[WFYI (TV)|WFYI]], Indianapolis
* [[WHYY-TV]], Philadelphia
* [[WETP-TV|WKOP-TV]], Knoxville, Tennessee<ref name="Knox971118">{{Cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-knoxville-news-sentinel-store-of-kn/127311690/|date=November 18, 1997|page=C1|first=Amy|last=Geisel|title='Store of Knowledge' stocks up: Retail shop spotlights public TV|newspaper=The Knoxville News-Sentinel|via=Newspapers.com|access-date=June 30, 2023}}</ref><!-- Tue -->
* [[WHRO-TV]], Hampton/Norfolk, Virginia
* [[WUCF-TV|WMFE-TV]], Orlando
* [[WNET]], New York
* [[WPBT]], Miami
* [[WQED (TV)|WQED]], Pittsburgh
* [[WTTW]], Chicago
* [[WTVS]], Detroit
* [[WVIZ]], Cleveland
{{div col end}}

==References==
{{reflist}}

==External links==
* {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/19981111190133/http://www.storeofknowledge.com/|title=Official website|date=November 11, 1998}}

[[Category:1994 establishments in California]]
[[Category:2001 disestablishments in California]]
[[Category:American companies disestablished in 2001]]
[[Category:American companies established in 1994]]
[[Category:Defunct retail companies of the United States]]
[[Category:Educational toy retailers]]
[[Category:Retail companies disestablished in 2001]]
[[Category:Retail companies established in 1994]]
[[Category:Toy retailers of the United States]]