Federal's Metal Sign
7" x 5" (Horizontal) / 0.12''
$69.99
Sale price
$69.99
Regular price
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Display a piece of Detroit department-store history with this Federal's Metal Sign. The company began in 1929 and expanded its story through a 1961 merger with Columbus-based Kobacker's and a 1969 purchase of Shifrin-Willens Jewelers. Federal's filed for bankruptcy in 1972, saw its Lansing and Kalamazoo stores close that year, and was liquidated in 1980. This sign is a conversation-starting collectible for retail history fans and anyone interested in the changing story of regional American 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 Metal Sign
$69.99
Sale price
$69.99
Regular price
Display a piece of Detroit department-store history with this Federal's Metal Sign. The company began in 1929 and expanded its story through a 1961 merger with Columbus-based Kobacker's and a 1969 purchase of Shifrin-Willens Jewelers. Federal's filed for bankruptcy in 1972, saw its Lansing and Kalamazoo stores close that year, and was liquidated in 1980. This sign is a conversation-starting collectible for retail history fans and anyone interested in the changing story of regional American 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.
| 7" x 5" (Horizontal) | |
| Width, in | 7.00 |
| Height, in | 5.00 |
| Depth, in | 0.12 |
Product features
- 100% white aluminum composite — strong, rigid, and lightweight
- Matte full-color print on one side for crisp, non-reflective finish
- Eleven sizes available; horizontal, vertical, and square orientations
- Includes one mounting block, metal plate, and double-sided tape; customer assembly required
- Indoor use only — durable for interior displays
Care instructions
- Use non-abrasive, non-ammonium based products for cleaning. Dish soap with warm water is only recommended for spot cleaning.