L. S. Ayres & Company Car Magnet
7.5'' × 4.5'' / Rectangle / 1 pc
$6.99
Sale price
$6.99
Regular price
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Share a little Indianapolis retail history wherever the road takes you with this L. S. Ayres & Company car magnet. Founded by Lyman S. Ayres in 1872, the company became a landmark of downtown shopping, known for women’s fashions, its Tea Room, and memorable seasonal displays. Its name also recalls the growth and transformation of department stores across the region. A conversation-starting keepsake for former Ayres customers, Indiana history enthusiasts, and collectors who remember this distinctive local institution.
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.
L. S. Ayres & Company Car Magnet
$6.99
Sale price
$6.99
Regular price
Share a little Indianapolis retail history wherever the road takes you with this L. S. Ayres & Company car magnet. Founded by Lyman S. Ayres in 1872, the company became a landmark of downtown shopping, known for women’s fashions, its Tea Room, and memorable seasonal displays. Its name also recalls the growth and transformation of department stores across the region. A conversation-starting keepsake for former Ayres customers, Indiana history enthusiasts, and collectors who remember this distinctive local institution.
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.
| 7.5'' × 4.5'' | |
| Width, in | 7.50 |
| Height, in | 4.50 |
Product features
- 100% vinyl face with matte finish for a muted, non-reflective look
- Black magnetic backing grips metal surfaces and removes cleanly
- All-weather durability—resists rain and sun exposure
- Available in three sizes to fit vehicles, toolboxes, or merch displays
- Printed with Digital-Direct Printing (DDP) for sharp, long-lasting color
Care instructions
- Wipe the dust off gently with a soft, dry 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 the dust off gently with a soft, dry cloth.