 By 1997, the chain had 17 US and 1 UK stores.At that time, the chain was building a Washington, DC flagship store with three level themed to various environments, sea & underground, land and outer space, aviation & science to be opened in February 1998 with another flagship store in San Francisco to be opened in November 1998

On May 17, 2007, Discovery Communications announced it would close its standalone and mall-based stores.Hudson Group will continue to operate the Discovery Channel Airport Stores, and the website remains in operation.