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Celebrate a defining name in Texas retail with this Joske's men's sport polo shirt. Founded by Julius Joske in San Antonio in 1867, the business grew from a local store into a regional chain, with its downtown flagship known as The Big Store. Joske's history includes pioneering air conditioning and escalators in Texas retail, as well as expansion to Houston and other cities. It is a thoughtful choice for department store history enthusiasts, San Antonio locals, and collectors drawn to enduring regional brands.
German immigrant Julius Joske founded a San Antonio store in 1867. After selling it in 1873 and returning to San Antonio that year, he opened J. Joske and Sons on Austin Street; the business later moved to Alamo Plaza as Joske Brothers. In 1887 it moved to the corner of Alamo and Commerce Streets. Expanded over the following decades, the flagship became known as The Big Store: in 1936 it was Texas's first fully air-conditioned store, and a 1939 renovation added an Art Deco facade and the first escalators in a Texas store. The chain expanded beyond downtown San Antonio, reaching Houston in 1948 and opening a second San Antonio store in 1957. In 1928 Hahn Department Stores acquired Joske's; Hahn joined Allied Stores three years later. Joske's acquired Wolff and Marx in 1965, and Allied's Dallas stores adopted the Joske's name in 1979. Allied combined the Dallas, Houston, and San Antonio divisions in 1985. After Campeau acquired Allied in 1986, it sold Joske's to Dillard's in 1987, and the stores were converted to Dillard's. The downtown San Antonio building later had multiple uses; Dillard's closed there in 2008.
Joske's Men's Sport Polo Shirt
$39.99
Sale price
$39.99
Regular price
Celebrate a defining name in Texas retail with this Joske's men's sport polo shirt. Founded by Julius Joske in San Antonio in 1867, the business grew from a local store into a regional chain, with its downtown flagship known as The Big Store. Joske's history includes pioneering air conditioning and escalators in Texas retail, as well as expansion to Houston and other cities. It is a thoughtful choice for department store history enthusiasts, San Antonio locals, and collectors drawn to enduring regional brands.
German immigrant Julius Joske founded a San Antonio store in 1867. After selling it in 1873 and returning to San Antonio that year, he opened J. Joske and Sons on Austin Street; the business later moved to Alamo Plaza as Joske Brothers. In 1887 it moved to the corner of Alamo and Commerce Streets. Expanded over the following decades, the flagship became known as The Big Store: in 1936 it was Texas's first fully air-conditioned store, and a 1939 renovation added an Art Deco facade and the first escalators in a Texas store. The chain expanded beyond downtown San Antonio, reaching Houston in 1948 and opening a second San Antonio store in 1957. In 1928 Hahn Department Stores acquired Joske's; Hahn joined Allied Stores three years later. Joske's acquired Wolff and Marx in 1965, and Allied's Dallas stores adopted the Joske's name in 1979. Allied combined the Dallas, Houston, and San Antonio divisions in 1985. After Campeau acquired Allied in 1986, it sold Joske's to Dillard's in 1987, and the stores were converted to Dillard's. The downtown San Antonio building later had multiple uses; Dillard's closed there in 2008.
| 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