Ontario Discount Department Store Metal Sign
7" x 5" (Horizontal) / 0.12''
$69.99
Sale price
$69.99
Regular price
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Bring a piece of regional shopping history into your space with this Ontario Discount Department Store metal sign. Ontario began as a Lorain, Ohio, general-merchandise chain in the 1950s and later operated within Cook United’s collection of retail brands. Its reach included Ohio cities such as Toledo, Cincinnati, Columbus, Cleveland and Dayton, as well as stores in Missouri. The Ontario name was dropped in 1981 as locations became Rink’s or Cooks, leaving a memorable trace of a changing era in department-store retail.
Ontario began as Ontario Super Mart, a Lorain, Ohio-based retail chain in the 1950s, selling clothing, groceries, hardware, electronics and household goods. In 1964, Cook Coffee Co. of Maple Heights, Ohio, acquired the nine-store chain; the company later became Cook United Inc. Ontario was then operated as Ontario Discount Department Stores alongside several other Cook United retail brands. The chain expanded in Ohio, including into Toledo, and also opened stores in Missouri. By the 1970s, Ontario stores operated in Cincinnati, Columbus, Cleveland and Dayton. Cook United acquired Clark's Department Stores in 1968, converting some locations to its Cooks name. In 1975, Cook United had 82 stores across its various brands, below its stated sales goal, and announced it would end Ontario operations in Missouri. Ontario had 23 stores at the start of the 1980s. After Cook United acquired Rink's Bargain City in 1981, it dropped the Ontario name in May and converted 19 stores to Rink's or Cooks. Cook United later entered Chapter 11 bankruptcy in 1984 and closed its remaining stores in 1987, then liquidated under Chapter 7.
Ontario Discount Department Store Metal Sign
$69.99
Sale price
$69.99
Regular price
Bring a piece of regional shopping history into your space with this Ontario Discount Department Store metal sign. Ontario began as a Lorain, Ohio, general-merchandise chain in the 1950s and later operated within Cook United’s collection of retail brands. Its reach included Ohio cities such as Toledo, Cincinnati, Columbus, Cleveland and Dayton, as well as stores in Missouri. The Ontario name was dropped in 1981 as locations became Rink’s or Cooks, leaving a memorable trace of a changing era in department-store retail.
Ontario began as Ontario Super Mart, a Lorain, Ohio-based retail chain in the 1950s, selling clothing, groceries, hardware, electronics and household goods. In 1964, Cook Coffee Co. of Maple Heights, Ohio, acquired the nine-store chain; the company later became Cook United Inc. Ontario was then operated as Ontario Discount Department Stores alongside several other Cook United retail brands. The chain expanded in Ohio, including into Toledo, and also opened stores in Missouri. By the 1970s, Ontario stores operated in Cincinnati, Columbus, Cleveland and Dayton. Cook United acquired Clark's Department Stores in 1968, converting some locations to its Cooks name. In 1975, Cook United had 82 stores across its various brands, below its stated sales goal, and announced it would end Ontario operations in Missouri. Ontario had 23 stores at the start of the 1980s. After Cook United acquired Rink's Bargain City in 1981, it dropped the Ontario name in May and converted 19 stores to Rink's or Cooks. Cook United later entered Chapter 11 bankruptcy in 1984 and closed its remaining stores in 1987, then liquidated under Chapter 7.
| 7" x 5" (Horizontal) | |
| Width, in | 7.00 |
| Height, in | 5.00 |
| Depth, in | 0.12 |
Product features
- 100% white aluminum composite — strong, rigid, and lightweight
- Matte full-color print on one side for crisp, non-reflective finish
- Eleven sizes available; horizontal, vertical, and square orientations
- Includes one mounting block, metal plate, and double-sided tape; customer assembly required
- Indoor use only — durable for interior displays
Care instructions
- Use non-abrasive, non-ammonium based products for cleaning. Dish soap with warm water is only recommended for spot cleaning.