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Bring a piece of Oklahoma City retail history into a little one’s everyday wardrobe with this John A. Brown toddler tee. The store name recalls a business that began in 1915 as Rorabaugh-Brown Dry Goods Co. and became John A. Brown’s in 1932. Its story followed shoppers from downtown Oklahoma City to suburban malls, making this tee a sweet nod to a hometown department store remembered across generations. A thoughtful pick for family outings, keepsakes, and young fans of local history.
John A. Brown was an Oklahoma department store chain whose roots reach back to 1915, when the Rorabaugh Company acquired Brock's Dry Goods in Oklahoma City and renamed it Rorabaugh-Brown Dry Goods Co. In 1932, John Albert Brown bought the business from his cousin and partner, A. O. Rorabaugh, and renamed the store after himself. Brown had also joined John Dunkin in buying Tulsa mercantile store Hunts in 1924; that separate business became Brown-Dunkin and had no formal connection to the Oklahoma City company. After Brown died in 1940, his widow, Della Dunkin Brown, led the company until her death in 1967, when ownership passed to a trust. Dayton Hudson Corporation acquired the chain in 1971 but kept the Brown name. The downtown Oklahoma City flagship closed in the 1970s and was later demolished amid an urban renewal project that did not produce the planned Galleria shopping center. The chain shifted toward suburban shopping malls, including Penn Square Mall and Crossroads Mall. In 1984, Dayton Hudson sold the six-store chain to Dillard's, which quickly renamed the stores. The transition ended the John A. Brown name in retail.
John A. Brown Toddler Tee / T-Shirt
$14.99
Sale price
$14.99
Regular price
Bring a piece of Oklahoma City retail history into a little one’s everyday wardrobe with this John A. Brown toddler tee. The store name recalls a business that began in 1915 as Rorabaugh-Brown Dry Goods Co. and became John A. Brown’s in 1932. Its story followed shoppers from downtown Oklahoma City to suburban malls, making this tee a sweet nod to a hometown department store remembered across generations. A thoughtful pick for family outings, keepsakes, and young fans of local history.
John A. Brown was an Oklahoma department store chain whose roots reach back to 1915, when the Rorabaugh Company acquired Brock's Dry Goods in Oklahoma City and renamed it Rorabaugh-Brown Dry Goods Co. In 1932, John Albert Brown bought the business from his cousin and partner, A. O. Rorabaugh, and renamed the store after himself. Brown had also joined John Dunkin in buying Tulsa mercantile store Hunts in 1924; that separate business became Brown-Dunkin and had no formal connection to the Oklahoma City company. After Brown died in 1940, his widow, Della Dunkin Brown, led the company until her death in 1967, when ownership passed to a trust. Dayton Hudson Corporation acquired the chain in 1971 but kept the Brown name. The downtown Oklahoma City flagship closed in the 1970s and was later demolished amid an urban renewal project that did not produce the planned Galleria shopping center. The chain shifted toward suburban shopping malls, including Penn Square Mall and Crossroads Mall. In 1984, Dayton Hudson sold the six-store chain to Dillard's, which quickly renamed the stores. The transition ended the John A. Brown name in retail.
| 2T | 3T | 4T | 5T | |
| Width, in | 12.00 | 13.00 | 14.00 | 15.00 |
| Length, in | 15.50 | 16.50 | 17.50 | 18.50 |
Product features
- Lightweight 4.2 oz fabric for breathable comfort
- 100% airlume combed and ring-spun cotton in solid colors for a soft hand
- Heather options include cotton/poly blends for stretch and durability
- Side seams provide structure and a stable fit
- Tear-away label to prevent irritation
Care instructions
- Machine wash: cold (max 30C or 90F)
- Do not bleach
- Tumble dry: low heat
- Iron, steam or dry: low heat
- Do not dry clean