A Jonesboro retail staple for more than four decades is preparing to close its doors. The Golden Grotto, located off Red Wolf Boulevard, has announced it will cease operations at the end of December. To mark the occasion, the store has begun a closing sale, with most items discounted by 25% and Halloween merchandise reduced by 75%.
Founded in 1985 by Larry Mcilvoy and a business partner, The Golden Grotto started as a one-room shop focused on party supplies. Over the years, the business expanded not only in size but also in reputation, earning a place as a cherished destination for locals seeking costumes, decorations, and whimsical finds. Despite its long history, the store announced in a Nov. 12 social media post that a combination of circumstances had led to its difficult decision to close. The post also expressed gratitude to customers for allowing the shop to bring a touch of magic to their celebrations.
For many customers, the news has brought a flood of memories. Longtime patron Charity Johnston, who traveled from Imboden to visit the store one more time, expressed both nostalgia and disappointment that the shop’s closure has not garnered widespread recognition.
"I’ve been in love with it ever since I discovered it in the late 1990s," Johnston said. "It’s sad to see it go out without more celebration of everything it’s meant to this community."
Store manager Anthony Eveland said staff have been overwhelmed by the outpouring of support on social media and in person, as customers stop by to reminisce and purchase keepsakes during the final weeks.
Among those customers is Charli Smith, a former regular who hadn’t visited The Golden Grotto in a decade. On a recent trip, she was struck by the shop’s unchanged atmosphere, its colorful displays, and its eclectic charm.
"It definitely kind of smells like grandma’s attic," Smith joked. "But it’s also fun and whimsical everywhere. I regret not coming here more often these past years, but I’m glad I did now."
Smith left the store with an assortment of items, including a Pokémon-themed Halloween basket, rubber rats, and an astronaut helmet, the latter of which she wore while shopping in the store.
The Golden Grotto’s unique layout reflects its evolution over 41 years, with various expansions creating a labyrinthine interior filled with unexpected treasures. Though its doors will soon close, the shop’s legacy lives on in the memories of customers who passed through its colorful halls.