K's Merchandise Mart Hoodie / Sweatshirt
Carry the story of K's Merchandise Mart with you. Founded in Decatur, Illinois, in 1957 by Raymond “Ray” Eldridge Sr. and his son Kay, the company grew from a catalog showroom into a 17-store retailer serving five states. Shoppers knew K's for a wide assortment that included furniture, jewelry, electronics, and household goods. After years of big-box competition, the company announced its closure in 2006. This hoodie or sweatshirt celebrates a memorable name in regional retail history.
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.
| S | M | L | XL | 2XL | 3XL | 4XL | 5XL | |
| Width, in | 20.08 | 22.05 | 24.02 | 25.98 | 27.99 | 29.92 | 31.89 | 33.86 |
| Length, in | 27.17 | 27.95 | 29.13 | 29.92 | 31.10 | 31.89 | 33.07 | 33.86 |
| Sleeve length from center back, in | 33.50 | 34.50 | 35.50 | 36.50 | 37.50 | 38.50 | 39.50 | 40.50 |
| Size tolerance, in | 1.50 | 1.50 | 1.50 | 1.50 | 1.50 | 1.50 | 1.50 | 1.50 |
Product features
- 50/50 cotton-poly mid-weight (8.0 oz) for warmth and soft handfeel
- Tubular knit (no side seams) for cleaner lines and less waste
- Double-lined hood with color-matched drawcord and tear-away label
- Kangaroo pouch pocket for hand warmth and storage
- DTF/DTG printing and optional embroidery placements (chest, wrists) for durable graphic detail
Care instructions
- Tumble dry: medium
- Iron, steam or dry: low heat
- Do not dryclean
- Machine wash: cold (max 30C or 90F)
- Non-chlorine: bleach as needed
EU representative: HONSON VENTURES LIMITED, gpsr@honsonventures.com, 3, Gnaftis House flat 102, Limassol, Mesa Geitonia, 4003, CY
Product information: Gildan 18500, 2 year warranty in EU and Northern Ireland as per Directive 1999/44/EC
Warnings, Hazard: For adults, Made in Bangladesh
Care instructions: Machine wash: cold (max 30C or 90F), Non-chlorine: bleach as needed, Tumble dry: medium, Iron, steam or dry: low heat, Do not dryclean