Skip to product information
GhostCorp Apparel - resurrecting iconic corporate ghosts.
Bring a chapter of Detroit department-store history into your everyday wardrobe with this Federal's Men's Sport Polo Shirt. Founded in 1929, Federal's merged with Columbus-based Kobacker's in 1961 and bought Shifrin-Willens Jewelers in 1969. Bankruptcy followed in 1972, and the company was eventually liquidated in 1980 after a change in ownership. This design connects apparel with a distinctive regional retail story, suited to collectors and anyone interested in the history of American department stores.
Federal Department Store, commonly known as Federal's, was a department store chain based in Detroit and founded in 1929. Its history includes expansion through a merger and a separate jewelry acquisition. In 1961, Federal's merged with Kobacker's, a department store company based in Columbus, Ohio. In 1969, Federal's bought Shifrin-Willens Jewelers. The chain filed for bankruptcy in 1972; that same year, its stores in Lansing and Kalamazoo closed. One of Federal's holdings at the time of the bankruptcy was the Hoffritz for Cutlery chain, which was sold in 1975 through a leveraged buyout. In 1978, Steven Watstein, also known as Steven West, purchased Federal's. The chain was liquidated in 1980. These milestones trace Federal's from its 1929 founding through a merger, an acquisition, financial difficulty, a change in ownership, and eventual liquidation. The documented locations connect its story to Detroit, Columbus, Lansing, and Kalamazoo.
Federal's Men's Sport Polo Shirt
$39.99
Sale price
$39.99
Regular price
Bring a chapter of Detroit department-store history into your everyday wardrobe with this Federal's Men's Sport Polo Shirt. Founded in 1929, Federal's merged with Columbus-based Kobacker's in 1961 and bought Shifrin-Willens Jewelers in 1969. Bankruptcy followed in 1972, and the company was eventually liquidated in 1980 after a change in ownership. This design connects apparel with a distinctive regional retail story, suited to collectors and anyone interested in the history of American department stores.
Federal Department Store, commonly known as Federal's, was a department store chain based in Detroit and founded in 1929. Its history includes expansion through a merger and a separate jewelry acquisition. In 1961, Federal's merged with Kobacker's, a department store company based in Columbus, Ohio. In 1969, Federal's bought Shifrin-Willens Jewelers. The chain filed for bankruptcy in 1972; that same year, its stores in Lansing and Kalamazoo closed. One of Federal's holdings at the time of the bankruptcy was the Hoffritz for Cutlery chain, which was sold in 1975 through a leveraged buyout. In 1978, Steven Watstein, also known as Steven West, purchased Federal's. The chain was liquidated in 1980. These milestones trace Federal's from its 1929 founding through a merger, an acquisition, financial difficulty, a change in ownership, and eventual liquidation. The documented locations connect its story to Detroit, Columbus, Lansing, and Kalamazoo.
| S | M | L | XL | 2XL | 3XL | |
| Width, in | 20.25 | 21.75 | 23.75 | 24.75 | 26.25 | 28.25 |
| Length, in | 29.00 | 30.00 | 31.00 | 32.00 | 33.00 | 33.50 |
| Sleeve Length (from center back), in | 18.50 | 19.25 | 20.00 | 20.75 | 21.50 | 22.25 |
Product features
- 100% polyester, extra-light (110 g/m²) for fast drying and shape retention
- Moisture-wicking fabric keeps skin cool during activity
- Double-needle stitched seams and necktape for long-lasting comfort
- 3-button placket with dyed-to-match rubber buttons and flat knit lapel collar
- Direct-to-film printed chest logo; regular fit, printed neck label
Care instructions
- Machine wash: cold (max 30C or 90F)
- Non-chlorine: bleach as needed
- Do not tumble dry
- Do not iron
- Do not dryclean