Arlan's Ceramic Ornament
Round / One size
$15.99
Product Details & Size Guide
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Mark a piece of American shopping history with an Arlan's ceramic ornament. Founded in New Bedford in 1945, the discount chain spread to 18 states and reached a peak of 119 stores in 1970. Its documented story includes a 1971 sale of 16 stores to Target and the liquidation of its last ten locations in early 1975. This keepsake is a thoughtful choice for retail-history collectors and anyone who remembers the changing landscape of neighborhood stores.
Arlan's was an American discount store chain founded in 1945 in New Bedford, Massachusetts, by William, Herbert, and Lester Palestine. The company grew across the United States: in 1965 it opened its 50th store in Cudahy, Wisconsin, and had locations in 18 states, from Maine to Colorado. At that time, it reported $174 million in revenue and owned 18 Play World toy stores. Arlan's reached a peak of 119 stores in 1970, but losses mounted. The article links those losses in part to expansion across a geographic area too broad for the chain's scale, which made distribution inefficient. In 1971, Arlan's sold 16 stores to Target and considered, but did not then pursue, bankruptcy. After co-founder Herbert Palestine resigned, the chain filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy in May 1973 with 73 stores. A Christmas-season sales effort that year failed, and 38 more stores closed by January 1974. The bankruptcy was converted to Chapter 10, and the company continued to contract. By court order, Arlan's liquidated its final ten stores in early 1975.
Mark a piece of American shopping history with an Arlan's ceramic ornament. Founded in New Bedford in 1945, the discount chain spread to 18 states and reached a peak of 119 stores in 1970. Its documented story includes a 1971 sale of 16 stores to Target and the liquidation of its last ten locations in early 1975. This keepsake is a thoughtful choice for retail-history collectors and anyone who remembers the changing landscape of neighborhood stores.
Arlan's was an American discount store chain founded in 1945 in New Bedford, Massachusetts, by William, Herbert, and Lester Palestine. The company grew across the United States: in 1965 it opened its 50th store in Cudahy, Wisconsin, and had locations in 18 states, from Maine to Colorado. At that time, it reported $174 million in revenue and owned 18 Play World toy stores. Arlan's reached a peak of 119 stores in 1970, but losses mounted. The article links those losses in part to expansion across a geographic area too broad for the chain's scale, which made distribution inefficient. In 1971, Arlan's sold 16 stores to Target and considered, but did not then pursue, bankruptcy. After co-founder Herbert Palestine resigned, the chain filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy in May 1973 with 73 stores. A Christmas-season sales effort that year failed, and 38 more stores closed by January 1974. The bankruptcy was converted to Chapter 10, and the company continued to contract. By court order, Arlan's liquidated its final ten stores in early 1975.
| Heart | Round | |
| Diameter, in | 3.21 | 2.80 |
Product features
- 100% white ceramic construction — strong and durable
- Double-sided print with matte finish option
- Golden hanging string included
- UV-decorated for lasting color
- Available in white or gold gift packaging (single ornament per pack)
Care instructions
- Use a microfiber cloth to gently remove any dust or dirt build-up. Avoid harsh chemicals or cleaners. Instead, dampen a cotton wool swab in warm water (just a few drops per liter of water) and gently roll the swab over the ornament and refrain from scrubbing
EU representative: HONSON VENTURES LIMITED, gpsr@honsonventures.com, 3, Gnaftis House flat 102, Limassol, Mesa Geitonia, 4003, CY
Product information: Generic brand, two year warranty in the EU and Northern Ireland
Care instructions: Use a microfiber cloth to gently remove any dust or dirt build-up. Avoid harsh chemicals or cleaners. Instead, dampen a cotton wool swab in warm water (just a few drops per liter of water) and gently roll the swab over the ornament and refrain from scrubbing