But much of it has disappeared from the Hartlepool and East Durham skyline as the years passed.
Remember when you could have a pint in the Station, fill up with petrol on Powlett Road, go shopping for all your DIY needs at Scorers and get your sports gear at Gough Sports?
Take a trip down Memory Lane and see how many of these you remember.
1. Would you believe it. It's 10 years since it went
A pint in the Station Hotel at Seaton Carew was a possibility until its closure in 2010. Does this bring back memories? Photo: TC
2. Queue for the Binns sale
It was a favourite event for many people but the Binns sale is confined to the history books in Hartlepool. The town's branch of the store closed in 1992. Photo: Hartlepool Mail
3. Watch a smoke-filled skyline
Clean air enforcement notices meant sights such as these smoking chimneys at Horden in 1991 became a much rarer sight. Photo: Hartlepool Mail
4. Sort all your DIY needs at Scorers
Back to 2008 for this view of Scorers and its closing down sale. Photo: LH