Time to Bid Adieu to Bengaluru’s Big Kids Kemp

Big Kids Kemp, a landmark and one of MG Road’s best loved clothing outlets, has shut its doors.

Big Kids Kemp, the iconic clothing store at MG Road in Bengaluru, has pulled down its shutters.

(Photo Courtesy: Shalana Graham Blackham/Facebook)

No more mascots dressed as cartoon characters, no more sights of children flocking for photographs – a large crowd gathered at Bengaluru’s MG Road for one last glimpse of Big Kids Kemp on 11 November, as one of the city’s best loved clothing shops pulled down its shutters for a final time.

Mascots dressed as cartoon characters were a major attraction at Big Kids Kemp.(Photo Courtesy: Facebook/Pranjal Jyoti Datta)

Anyone who grew up in Bengaluru will recognise the soccer field-sized store as the go-to shopping destination for apparel and toys since 1990. The superstore used to be packed with people, particularly over the weekends.

Children outside Kids Kemp.(Photo Courtesy: Facebook/Sandhya Prabhu)

“I got here specifically to click a picture of this place. I’ve spent so many of my weekends here when I was a kid. I am definitely going to miss it,” says Devashish Bahl, a professional photographer.

People never left the store without clicking a picture.(Photo Courtesy: Facebook/Bhagya Chalapathi)

Vashi J Melwani, the founder and president of the store, told The News Minute that calling it quits was not an overnight decision. “Last month, I gave all my employees notice. But just like when I had doubts about opening the store, I did not know if I was doing the right thing. I know I am attached to Kids Kemp, but I decided to get practical and travel,” he said.

The Big Kids Kemp boasted a wide range of clothing for men, women and children. (Photo Courtesy: Facebook/Big Kids Kemp)

The mascots at the entrance of Big Kids Kemp managed to strike a chord with children. Sneha, a Chartered Accountant in Bengaluru, says she has fond memories of the store. “Whenever my parents used to drive along this road, I would force them to stop so that I could wave at the mascots. I felt as if the cartoons on TV had popped out of the screen,” she says.

(Photo Courtesy: Facebook/Dulith Kasun)

One Last Look

Big Kids Kemp wore a desolate look on its final day. The shutters were pulled down. The parking lot remained vacant except for the scrap that lay in its dilapidated corners. A huge banner was affixed at the entrance of the store announcing that the 16,000-sq. ft store was available for rent.

Here is a last look at the store on its last day

With all the shutters down, Big Kids Kemp sported a deserted look.(Photo Courtesy: Roshni Balaji/The Quint)

A mother and her daughter gazing at the closed shutters of the store.(Photo Courtesy: Roshni Balaji/The Quint)

After surviving for 17 years, Big Kids Kemp has closed all business operations.(Photo Courtesy: Roshni Balaji/The Quint)

A customer asks the security guard if the store is still open. (Photo Courtesy: Roshni Balaji/The Quint)

The parking space at Big Kids Kemp looks empty and rickety. (Photo Courtesy: Roshni Balaji/The Quint)

People arrive at the store expecting it to be open.(Photo Courtesy: Roshni Balaji/The Quint)

Up for rent. (Photo Courtesy: Roshni Balaji/The Quint)