After years of absence, Micro Center, the beloved tech retail giant, has made a triumphant return to Silicon Valley, stepping into the gap left by the closure of Fry's Electronics in 2021. The new store, located at 5201 Stevens Creek Blvd in Santa Clara, opened its doors with a grand celebration on May 30, 2025, drawing in tech enthusiasts and DIY builders from across the Bay Area.
This 40,000-square-foot tech wonderland offers an expansive selection of products, from the latest GPUs and computer components to gaming accessories and 3D printers. Micro Center marked the occasion by stocking over 4,000 GPUs, including highly sought-after models like the AMD 9070 and limited quantities of Founders Edition cards, as reported by The Verge.
For many in the region, the closure of Fry's Electronics was a significant loss, as it had been a cultural staple for nerds and tech hobbyists in Silicon Valley. Micro Center's return is seen as a revival of that spirit, providing a hands-on experience with PC builds and niche gear that online shopping simply can't replicate, according to PCMag.
The store's soft opening earlier in the week already generated buzz, with images of a GPU-filled stockroom circulating online, including a rare RTX 5090 signed by Nvidia's Jensen Huang (though not for sale). This strategic move by Micro Center taps into the pent-up demand for a physical tech hub in the area, as noted by Axios San Francisco.
Local tech enthusiasts have expressed excitement over having a new destination to satisfy their inner nerd, especially since alternatives like CompUSA and Radio Shack have also faded from the retail landscape. Micro Center's focus on customer experience and community engagement sets it apart, offering in-store tech support and custom PC building services.
As Silicon Valley continues to be a global hub for innovation, Micro Center's return is a fitting addition, promising to inspire the next generation of builders and creators. Whether you're a gamer, a coder, or a hardware tinkerer, this store aims to be the ultimate playground for all things tech.
Andrew Lee
