Korvette's Ceramic Ornament
Round / One size
$15.99
Sale price
$15.99
Regular price
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Mark a memorable name in American retail with an E. J. Korvette ceramic ornament. Founded in 1948 by Eugene Ferkauf and Joe Zwillenberg, the company grew from a Manhattan loft into a department store chain known for discount pricing and suburban expansion. Its stores, membership-card approach, and 1980 closing give Korvette’s a distinct place in retail history. This ornament offers collectors and former shoppers a meaningful way to remember a company that shaped the postwar shopping landscape.
E. J. Korvette, also known as Korvette’s, was an American discount department store chain founded in New York City in 1948 by World War II veteran Eugene Ferkauf and his friend Joe Zwillenberg. Ferkauf began in a 400-square-foot Manhattan loft, selling luggage, appliances, and jewelry at substantial discounts. The company popularized membership cards and challenged restrictions on discount pricing. Its first modern-format store opened in Carle Place, Long Island, in 1954; by 1958 it had 12 stores, eventually reaching 58. During the 1960s, it expanded into several metropolitan areas and opened a flagship at Herald Square in 1967. Ferkauf retired in 1968. Korvette merged with Spartan Industries in 1966, was owned by Arlen Realty and Development Corporation from 1971 to 1979, and was then purchased by France’s Agache-Willot Group. After years of management and merchandising difficulties, the company declared bankruptcy in 1980. Its 17 remaining stores closed on December 24, 1980. A separate Quebec retailer later used the Korvette name without affiliation to the American chain.
Korvette's Ceramic Ornament
$15.99
Sale price
$15.99
Regular price
Mark a memorable name in American retail with an E. J. Korvette ceramic ornament. Founded in 1948 by Eugene Ferkauf and Joe Zwillenberg, the company grew from a Manhattan loft into a department store chain known for discount pricing and suburban expansion. Its stores, membership-card approach, and 1980 closing give Korvette’s a distinct place in retail history. This ornament offers collectors and former shoppers a meaningful way to remember a company that shaped the postwar shopping landscape.
E. J. Korvette, also known as Korvette’s, was an American discount department store chain founded in New York City in 1948 by World War II veteran Eugene Ferkauf and his friend Joe Zwillenberg. Ferkauf began in a 400-square-foot Manhattan loft, selling luggage, appliances, and jewelry at substantial discounts. The company popularized membership cards and challenged restrictions on discount pricing. Its first modern-format store opened in Carle Place, Long Island, in 1954; by 1958 it had 12 stores, eventually reaching 58. During the 1960s, it expanded into several metropolitan areas and opened a flagship at Herald Square in 1967. Ferkauf retired in 1968. Korvette merged with Spartan Industries in 1966, was owned by Arlen Realty and Development Corporation from 1971 to 1979, and was then purchased by France’s Agache-Willot Group. After years of management and merchandising difficulties, the company declared bankruptcy in 1980. Its 17 remaining stores closed on December 24, 1980. A separate Quebec retailer later used the Korvette name without affiliation to the American chain.
| 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, 2 year warranty in EU and Northern Ireland as per Directive 1999/44/EC
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