chess king also experimented with 3 spin-off specialty stores in the late 1980s and early 1990s. the first, named "freefall" carried designer labels for men and women and was geared toward higher end designer brand names. the second was named "the b club" and carried activewear for both men and women and the last was "garage" which had a 50's inspired decor along with a nash metropolitan car in most locations. the retailer was successful through the 1980s as a purveyor of wild '80s fads and fashion, but changing fashion trends contributed to the chain falling on hard times at the beginning of the 1990s.