{"product_id":"kings-department-stores-square-porcelain-fridge-magnet","title":"King's Department Stores Square Porcelain Fridge Magnet","description":"GhostCorp Apparel - resurrecting iconic corporate ghosts.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eKeep a memorable name from regional retail history close at hand with this square porcelain fridge magnet. King's Department Stores began in Brockton, Massachusetts, in 1956, expanded to 187 locations, and grew through acquisitions across the East. Its history also includes a canceled merger proposal, a 1982 Chapter 11 filing, and a 1984 purchase by Ames, after which most King's stores were converted. A small collectible for fans of American discount stores and changing department-store landscapes.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eKing'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.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003ctable\u003e\u003ctbody\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd data-row=\"1\" style=\"padding: 10px;\"\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd data-row=\"1\" style=\"padding: 10px; font-size: 15px; font-weight: 500;\"\u003e\u003cspan style=\"color: rgb(0, 0, 0);\"\u003e2\" x 2\"\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd data-row=\"2\" style=\"word-break: break-word; border-top: 1px solid rgb(237, 237, 237); font-size: 15px; padding: 10px;\"\u003e\u003cspan style=\"color: rgb(82, 82, 82);\"\u003eWidth, in\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd data-row=\"2\" style=\"word-break: break-word; border-top: 1px solid rgb(237, 237, 237); font-size: 15px; padding: 10px;\"\u003e\u003cspan style=\"color: rgb(82, 82, 82);\"\u003e2.00\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd data-row=\"3\" style=\"word-break: break-word; border-top: 1px solid rgb(237, 237, 237); font-size: 15px; padding: 10px;\"\u003e\u003cspan style=\"color: rgb(82, 82, 82);\"\u003eHeight, in\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd data-row=\"3\" style=\"word-break: break-word; border-top: 1px solid rgb(237, 237, 237); font-size: 15px; padding: 10px;\"\u003e\u003cspan style=\"color: rgb(82, 82, 82);\"\u003e2.00\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd data-row=\"4\" style=\"word-break: break-word; border-top: 1px solid rgb(237, 237, 237); font-size: 15px; padding: 10px;\"\u003e\u003cspan style=\"color: rgb(82, 82, 82);\"\u003eDepth, in\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd data-row=\"4\" style=\"word-break: break-word; border-top: 1px solid rgb(237, 237, 237); font-size: 15px; padding: 10px;\"\u003e\u003cspan style=\"color: rgb(82, 82, 82);\"\u003e0.25\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003c\/tbody\u003e\u003c\/table\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eProduct features\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e- 2\" square porcelain tile with glossy finish\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e- Superior coating for bright, true-to-design color reproduction\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e- Vibrant, crisp printing using modern techniques\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e- Strong magnet mounted on the backside for secure hold\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e- Durable glossy surface that highlights fine details and contrasts\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eCare instructions\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e- Gently wipe the dirt or dust off with a clean, dry microfiber cloth\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eEU representative\u003c\/strong\u003e: HONSON VENTURES LIMITED, gpsr@honsonventures.com, 3, Gnaftis House flat 102, Limassol, Mesa Geitonia, 4003, CY\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eProduct information\u003c\/strong\u003e: Generic brand, 2 year warranty in EU and Northern Ireland as per Directive 1999\/44\/EC\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eCare instructions\u003c\/strong\u003e: Gently wipe the dirt or dust off with a clean, dry microfiber cloth\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Printify","offers":[{"title":"gray \/ 2\" x 2\" \/ Square","offer_id":54630159843612,"sku":"24608819148603747758","price":19.99,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0955\/2517\/5580\/files\/12878136826417406912_2048.jpg?v=1790839301","url":"https:\/\/ghostcorpapparel.com\/products\/kings-department-stores-square-porcelain-fridge-magnet","provider":"Ghost Corp Apparel","version":"1.0","type":"link"}