Lechmere Ceramic Ornament
Round / One size
$15.99
Product Details & Size Guide
GhostCorp Apparel - resurrecting iconic corporate ghosts.
Remember a distinctive chapter in New England retail history with this Lechmere ceramic ornament. Founded in Cambridge in 1913 as a harness shop, the company followed changing customer needs from tires to appliances, televisions, toys, and household goods. Its first store opened in a former bus garage in 1956, and the business grew into a regional chain recognized by generations of shoppers. Lechmere’s locations closed in 1997, but its Cambridge story still resonates with former customers and collectors of local business history.
Lechmere began in 1913, when Abraham Cohen bought a harness shop in Cambridge, Massachusetts, and named it for the nearby Lechmere district. As automobiles grew popular, the business added tires and became Lechmere Vulcanizing Company. After Cohen’s children joined following World War II, it expanded into appliances; in 1948 it became the incorporated Lechmere Tire & Sales Company. Household goods, televisions, toys, and other merchandise followed. The first store moved in 1956 to a former bus garage at 88 First Street in Cambridge, later expanded to 100,000 square feet. Dayton’s bought the chain in 1968; its parent became Dayton Hudson Corporation, while Lechmere remained a separate subsidiary. Store growth included Dedham, Danvers, and Springfield. In 1981 the company name was simplified to Lechmere, Inc., and the chain expanded beyond New England. Berkshire Partners and Boston developers Steve Karp and Steve Wiener bought it in 1989, then Berkshire sold it to Montgomery Ward Holdings in 1994. On August 1, 1997, the parent announced Lechmere’s closure during bankruptcy reorganization. All locations ceased business on November 7, 1997.
Remember a distinctive chapter in New England retail history with this Lechmere ceramic ornament. Founded in Cambridge in 1913 as a harness shop, the company followed changing customer needs from tires to appliances, televisions, toys, and household goods. Its first store opened in a former bus garage in 1956, and the business grew into a regional chain recognized by generations of shoppers. Lechmere’s locations closed in 1997, but its Cambridge story still resonates with former customers and collectors of local business history.
Lechmere began in 1913, when Abraham Cohen bought a harness shop in Cambridge, Massachusetts, and named it for the nearby Lechmere district. As automobiles grew popular, the business added tires and became Lechmere Vulcanizing Company. After Cohen’s children joined following World War II, it expanded into appliances; in 1948 it became the incorporated Lechmere Tire & Sales Company. Household goods, televisions, toys, and other merchandise followed. The first store moved in 1956 to a former bus garage at 88 First Street in Cambridge, later expanded to 100,000 square feet. Dayton’s bought the chain in 1968; its parent became Dayton Hudson Corporation, while Lechmere remained a separate subsidiary. Store growth included Dedham, Danvers, and Springfield. In 1981 the company name was simplified to Lechmere, Inc., and the chain expanded beyond New England. Berkshire Partners and Boston developers Steve Karp and Steve Wiener bought it in 1989, then Berkshire sold it to Montgomery Ward Holdings in 1994. On August 1, 1997, the parent announced Lechmere’s closure during bankruptcy reorganization. All locations ceased business on November 7, 1997.
| Heart | Round | |
| Diameter, in | 3.21 | 2.80 |
Product features
- 100% white ceramic construction — strong and durable
- Double-sided print with matte finish option
- Golden hanging string included
- UV-decorated for lasting color
- Available in white or gold gift packaging (single ornament per pack)
Care instructions
- Use a microfiber cloth to gently remove any dust or dirt build-up. Avoid harsh chemicals or cleaners. Instead, dampen a cotton wool swab in warm water (just a few drops per liter of water) and gently roll the swab over the ornament and refrain from scrubbing
EU representative: HONSON VENTURES LIMITED, gpsr@honsonventures.com, 3, Gnaftis House flat 102, Limassol, Mesa Geitonia, 4003, CY
Product information: Generic brand, two year warranty in the EU and Northern Ireland
Care instructions: Use a microfiber cloth to gently remove any dust or dirt build-up. Avoid harsh chemicals or cleaners. Instead, dampen a cotton wool swab in warm water (just a few drops per liter of water) and gently roll the swab over the ornament and refrain from scrubbing