K's Merchandise Mart Can Cooler
Bring a conversation-starting piece of Midwest retail history to your next get-together. K's Merchandise began as a family-founded catalog showroom in Decatur in 1957 and grew into a 17-store chain across five states. Its story ended with a liquidation announcement in 2006, but memories of browsing its broad assortment remain part of the region's past. This can cooler is for former customers, local-history fans, and collectors who appreciate the character of a hometown department store.
K's Merchandise Mart, Inc., commonly known as K's Merchandise, was a catalog showroom department store based in Decatur, Illinois. Raymond "Ray" Eldridge Sr. and his son Kay founded the company in 1957. It sold furniture, jewelry, electronics, and other general merchandise. By the time it closed, K's had 17 stores across Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Missouri, and Kentucky. The company also operated four Bargains Only stores in Illinois: Mt. Zion, Champaign, Springfield, and Peoria. Their assortment included clothing, household goods, and furniture. By the 2000s, competition from big-box stores had eroded K's sales for years. Boston's Gordon Brothers Group took over the company from the founding family and appointed Bill Weinstein as president. After an effort to turn around store operations, K's announced on October 3, 2006, that it would liquidate and close to pay its creditors in full. Bargains Only stores closed ahead of their parent stores; the final one, in Mt. Zion, closed in October 2006.
| Regular Can | Slim Can | |
| Height, in | 4.30 | 6.00 |
| Diameter, in | 3.50 | 3.50 |
Product features
- Durable 100% polyester exterior with edge-to-edge vibrant print
- Soft 100% foam liner for firm grip and insulation
- Lightweight and slim — fits regular and slim cans
- Outside white polyester with black foam interior for contrast
- Available sizes: Regular (3.5" x 4.3") and Slim (3.5" x 6'")
Care instructions
- Wipe with a damp cloth, air dry or use a soft, non-abrasive cloth
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: Wipe with a damp cloth, air dry or use a soft, non-abrasive cloth