King's Department Stores Ceramic Ornament
Round / One size
$15.99
Sale price
$15.99
Regular price
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Add a piece of regional retail history to your seasonal display with this King's Department Stores ceramic ornament. The company began in Brockton, Massachusetts, in 1956 and grew through acquisitions into a chain of 187 stores. Its story reflects the fast expansion of discount retail, financial strain, and a 1982 bankruptcy, followed by Ames' purchase of the chain in 1984. For former shoppers and collectors, this ornament marks a company whose stores became part of communities across the East and whose name remains a point of reference in retail history.
King's Department Stores was an Eastern United States discount-store chain that began in Brockton, Massachusetts, in 1956. The business expanded to 187 stores, including three in the Buffalo, New York, area. Its growth included acquisitions of other retail chains: Miracle Mart in 1968, Sandy's Discount Stores in 1966, Welles in 1973, and Barker's Discount Department Stores in 1980. The supplied article gives two dates for its purchase of Mammoth Mart: its narrative says 1978, while its acquisition list says 1977. In 1978, King's also proposed a merger with W.R. Grace, which was projected to add $325 million in sales revenue to Grace. The merger was called off in June that year. Economic downturn and debt associated with the Mammoth purchase preceded King's Chapter 11 bankruptcy filing in 1982. In 1984, Ames Department Stores purchased the chain and converted most King's locations into Ames stores. Ames later went out of business in 2002. King's history connects regional discount retail growth, acquisitions, financial strain, bankruptcy, and the conversion of stores under a successor company.
King's Department Stores Ceramic Ornament
$15.99
Sale price
$15.99
Regular price
| Heart | Round | |
|---|---|---|
| Diameter, in | 3.21 | 2.80 |
Add a piece of regional retail history to your seasonal display with this King's Department Stores ceramic ornament. The company began in Brockton, Massachusetts, in 1956 and grew through acquisitions into a chain of 187 stores. Its story reflects the fast expansion of discount retail, financial strain, and a 1982 bankruptcy, followed by Ames' purchase of the chain in 1984. For former shoppers and collectors, this ornament marks a company whose stores became part of communities across the East and whose name remains a point of reference in retail history.
King's Department Stores was an Eastern United States discount-store chain that began in Brockton, Massachusetts, in 1956. The business expanded to 187 stores, including three in the Buffalo, New York, area. Its growth included acquisitions of other retail chains: Miracle Mart in 1968, Sandy's Discount Stores in 1966, Welles in 1973, and Barker's Discount Department Stores in 1980. The supplied article gives two dates for its purchase of Mammoth Mart: its narrative says 1978, while its acquisition list says 1977. In 1978, King's also proposed a merger with W.R. Grace, which was projected to add $325 million in sales revenue to Grace. The merger was called off in June that year. Economic downturn and debt associated with the Mammoth purchase preceded King's Chapter 11 bankruptcy filing in 1982. In 1984, Ames Department Stores purchased the chain and converted most King's locations into Ames stores. Ames later went out of business in 2002. King's history connects regional discount retail growth, acquisitions, financial strain, bankruptcy, and the conversion of stores under a successor company.
| Heart | Round | |
| Diameter, in | 3.21 | 2.80 |
Product features
- 100% white ceramic construction — strong and durable
- Double-sided print with matte finish option
- Golden hanging string included
- UV-decorated for lasting color
- Available in white or gold gift packaging (single ornament per pack)
Care instructions
- Use a microfiber cloth to gently remove any dust or dirt build-up. Avoid harsh chemicals or cleaners. Instead, dampen a cotton wool swab in warm water (just a few drops per liter of water) and gently roll the swab over the ornament and refrain from scrubbing
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: Use a microfiber cloth to gently remove any dust or dirt build-up. Avoid harsh chemicals or cleaners. Instead, dampen a cotton wool swab in warm water (just a few drops per liter of water) and gently roll the swab over the ornament and refrain from scrubbing