Photos: New Phoenix Microcenter is a 'tech-heaven' for geeks
17 comments
·November 5, 2025coffee--
dylan604
The death of Frys was one of those that took so much longer than it should. The last time I went into a Frys was a fluke as I had thought it was already out of business. Walking around inside was surreal as the inventory was sad with the vast majority of shelves empty. I remember taking pics at the time of just how much a shadow itself it really was. I just couldn't fathom why someone had allowed the stores to stay open that long.
kulahan
Huh. I've never been in a Frys before, but boy is that a strange decor choice. Aztec stylings to sell brand new tech? I guess I see the juxtaposition, but still...
dylan604
They tend to be themed. The store in Cambridge/Boston area is probably more to your expectations.
OkayPhysicist
The one in Fremont had a bunch of Tesla coils, Jacob's ladders, and other high-voltage amusements. As a kid, it was the coolest thing.
ericmay
I love Microcenter, though I haven't purchased anything from one in quite some time - I don't buy a lot of new electronics.
I remember as a teenager we would go on "road trips" to Microcenter - 25 minute drive tops and since none of us had any money we would just try and get someone to spend their paycheck on a new GPU or something so we could get second hand excitement from a purchase. It was also the first and only place I've ever seen BAWLS energy drinks.
caycep
the American Akihabara, land of the khaki otakus
JCM9
Microcenter feels like going back in time (in a good way). It has a very 90s vibe to it. The staff wear khakis and blue collared shirts. Even the signage uses serif fonts in a way that looks, comfortably, dated. I hope they don’t change.
bob1029
The old Frys in Austin is turning into a Microcenter next year:
caycep
can you buy a 5090 FE there though?
iFred
I keep hoping for a Microcenter in either Portland or Seattle but alas, I get the "we're always looking for new locations" email from their team and a "why not just order it from Amazon" from nearly everyone else.
kaladin-jasnah
The Charlotte Micro Center opening was great, and was perfect timing since I was able to get some adapters I needed urgently without ordering online.
Got the free mug out of it too! I wonder if the mugs will become valuable collectibles in the future.
jakedata
The Microcenter in Cambridge (MA) finally updated their sign to modernize the rainbow Apple logo a few years ago. I hope it's stashed somewhere, to me it's more iconic than the Citgo sign a few miles away. They have added some components and kits but it doesn't fill the yawning void left by You-Do-It Electronics shutting down a year ago, or Radio Shack's slow motion demise.
assimpleaspossi
>>it doesn't fill the yawning void left by
Or Gateway Electronics in St Louis
nosduco
I live in Columbus near the original Microcenter. Still the GOAT store, it's not even close. Happy to see them expand more!
et1337
My favorite place as a kid XD I still get excited thinking about it haha
bitwize
There needs to be one on the Gulf Coast. I don't care much for having to go to Bezoscorp for my gear.
Step in and replace the loss of our Frys Electronics stores[0], yay!
[0] https://www.kjzz.org/business/2025-08-27/fans-of-phoenix-fry...