L. S. Ayres & Company Car Coaster
Keep a small reminder of Indianapolis history close at hand with this L. S. Ayres & Company car coaster. The store began in 1872 and became a downtown landmark, remembered by shoppers for its fashions, welcoming Tea Room, and elaborate holiday displays. Ayres later reached communities throughout Indiana and beyond, leaving generations with shared shopping memories. This design honors that regional legacy and suits collectors, former customers, and anyone who enjoys a personal connection to the history of American department stores.
Founded in Indianapolis in 1872 by Lyman S. Ayres, L. S. Ayres & Company began as a dry-goods store, first operating as N. R. Smith and Ayres. The Ayres name appeared in 1874, and the business moved to West Washington Street in 1875. Its eight-story flagship at One West Washington Street opened in 1905 and grew into a major downtown complex. Known especially for women’s fashions, its Tea Room, holiday displays, and value-focused basement store, Ayres later expanded into Indiana shopping centers. Acquisitions added Bressmer’s in Springfield, Illinois, and Kaufman-Straus and Wolf & Dessauer in Kentucky and Indiana. Its Ayr-Way discount chain began in 1961; the stores later became Target locations. Associated Dry Goods acquired Ayres in 1972. After The May Department Stores Company acquired that parent in 1986, Ayres locations were reduced and its Indianapolis flagship closed in 1992. The remaining operation joined May’s Famous-Barr division. Following Federated Department Stores’ acquisition of May in 2005, Ayres was dissolved on February 1, 2006, and folded into Macy’s Midwest. The L. S. Ayres name was retired on September 9, 2006, as most stores became Macy’s.
| 2.6'' × 2.6" | |
| Width, in | 2.60 |
| Height, in | 2.60 |
| Thickness, in | 0.30 |
Product features
- Made from 100% soapstone — naturally absorbent
- Available in 1, 2, or 4-piece sets with the same print on each
- One-sided full-color print with a matte finish
- 2.6″ × 2.6″ size fits most vehicle drink holders; notch for easy removal
- Removable “Made in China” sticker on the bottom
Care instructions
- Gently wipe the dirt or dust off with a clean, dry microfiber 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: Gently wipe the dirt or dust off with a clean, dry microfiber cloth