Great comment! I recall all those quirks in my fond old memories of Fry's! The multiple trees killed by quote sheets; the lack of seeing anyone patron the Cafe, and the classical music (which I actually enjoyed but clashed with my store's theme). It's funny you mention their antique POS system (Novell NetWare based IIRC? overhearing from a sales associate once) since it seems like Micro Center and Costco both use similar text-based POS systems to this day.

On a visit back to my native Southern California last Winter, I ended trying to rekindle old memories by taking a trip with my dad and neighbor to our local Fry's. Sadly, we all had a collective shock experiencing the lack of cars in the parking lot, sales associates on the floor, and the large empty spaces on once full shelves. The place seemed like a shell of its former self. After not being able to find whatever I was looking for at the time, I later made the trek down to Micro Center, which I recall not only had my item in stock, had shelves full of product, a store full of employees, and a parking lot full of cars. It definitely fit my bill of being able to drive to a brick and mortar store, to quickly pickup a part and getting straight to using it, especially when one cannot afford to wait days for shipped product.