Ontario Discount Department Store Mouse Pad
$14.99
Sale price
$14.99
Regular price
Add a note of Ohio retail nostalgia to your everyday desk with this Ontario Discount Department Store mouse pad. Ontario’s story began in 1950s Lorain as Ontario Super Mart, then grew through Cook United into a multi-city chain. At the start of the 1980s, 23 Ontario stores remained; in 1981, the name was retired as 19 locations converted to Rink’s or Cooks. A small daily reminder of a distinct regional brand, it suits former customers and collectors interested in department-store history.
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.
| 9" × 8" | |
| Width, in | 9.00 |
| Height, in | 8.00 |
| Depth, in | 0.06 |
Product features
- Smooth, low-friction surface for effortless mouse movement
- Full-front color print with bright, accurate reproduction
- Ultra-thin 1/16" (1.58 mm) high-density foam core
- Non-slip rubber base that grips the desk
- Rectangular shape with one-sided print
Care instructions
- Use warm water and dish soap to clean spots off your pad. It's not necessary to soak the whole pad. For hard-to-clean spots use a soft-bristled brush.