Skip to product information
GhostCorp Apparel - resurrecting iconic corporate ghosts.
Share a story of hometown shopping with this K's Merchandise Mart kids tee. Founded in Decatur, Illinois, in 1957 by Raymond “Ray” Eldridge Sr. and his son Kay, K's grew from a family business into a regional catalog-showroom department store chain. Shoppers could find furniture, jewelry, electronics, clothing, and household goods, while Bargains Only stores added their own chapter in Illinois. Made for families who enjoy passing along local history, this design celebrates a store name remembered by generations of Midwest shoppers.
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.
K's Merchandise Mart Kids Tee / T-Shirt
$16.99
Sale price
$16.99
Regular price
Share a story of hometown shopping with this K's Merchandise Mart kids tee. Founded in Decatur, Illinois, in 1957 by Raymond “Ray” Eldridge Sr. and his son Kay, K's grew from a family business into a regional catalog-showroom department store chain. Shoppers could find furniture, jewelry, electronics, clothing, and household goods, while Bargains Only stores added their own chapter in Illinois. Made for families who enjoy passing along local history, this design celebrates a store name remembered by generations of Midwest shoppers.
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 | |
| Width, in | 15.24 | 16.26 | 17.24 | 18.23 |
| Length, in | 20.87 | 22.13 | 23.39 | 24.37 |
| Size tolerance, in | 1.00 | 1.00 | 1.00 | 1.00 |
Product features
- 100% combed ring-spun cotton (solid colors); heather blends available for softness and stretch
- Extra lightweight (4.2 oz/yd²) for breathable, all-day comfort
- Side seams and shoulder tape for shape retention and durability
- Ribbed knit collar and tear-away DTF inner neck label for comfort and fit
- Retail fit crew neckline with DTG/DTF printing on a sustainably made Bella+Canvas blank
Care instructions
- Machine wash: warm (max 40C or 105F)
- Non-chlorine: bleach as needed
- Tumble dry: low heat
- Iron, steam or dry: medium heat
- Do not dry clean