On Tuesday, city of Phoenix officials issued a demolition permit to tear down the shuttered big-box retail store at 30th Avenue and Thunderbird Road that closed in 2021, best known for its distinctive Aztec theme and architecture.
The now-defunct 146,500-square-foot temple of motherboards and tech components is being torn down to make way for a more civic-minded development: the new Cactus Park police precinct headquarters and an accompanying fire station.
A timetable for demolition hasn’t been specified, but it’s expected to begin later this month and take four to six weeks with Gilbert-based Breinholt Contracting Co. handling the work.
A life-sized diorama of costume mannequins at the now-closed Fry's Electronics in North Phoenix.
Debbie Wyatt
The store, one of two Fry’s Electronics in the Valley, first opened back in 1999. Like other locations in the once-thriving tech retail chain, the North Phoenix store boasted a unique theme inspired by its particular area.
The store's interior and exterior resembled an Aztec temple or sorts and included various snake-like fixtures and decor, as well as a life-sized diorama of costumed mannequins “sacrificing” old PCs and other obsolete electronics to their gods.
Remnants of the decor that were sold off last month by Phoenix-based company Sierra Auctions included themed chandeliers, more than a dozen faux palm trees and a 10-foot-tall custom snake statue resembling Quetzalcōātl, a serpentine-like Aztec deity. The latter was the most popular item in the auction, receiving 59 bids and selling for $1,400 to Valley architect Wesley James, the designer of local theme bars Century Grand and UnderTow.
James will reportedly incorporate the statue as a décor feature at a future bar, according to KJZZ.
