Korvette's Square Porcelain Fridge Magnet
$19.99
Sale price
$19.99
Regular price
Keep a piece of department-store history in view with this E. J. Korvette Square Porcelain Fridge Magnet. From its 1948 beginnings in a Manhattan loft, Korvette’s grew into a major discount chain, known for membership-card pricing and a broad range of departments. Its first modern-format store opened in Carle Place in 1954, followed by expansion and a Herald Square flagship in 1967. A small keepsake with a rich retail story, it suits collectors interested in postwar shopping and the chain’s closure in 1980.
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.
| 2" x 2" | |
| Width, in | 2.00 |
| Height, in | 2.00 |
| Depth, in | 0.25 |
Product features
- 2" square porcelain tile with glossy finish
- Superior coating for bright, true-to-design color reproduction
- Vibrant, crisp printing using modern techniques
- Strong magnet mounted on the backside for secure hold
- Durable glossy surface that highlights fine details and contrasts
Care instructions
- Gently wipe the dirt or dust off with a clean, dry microfiber cloth
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: Gently wipe the dirt or dust off with a clean, dry microfiber cloth