Otasco (Oklahoma Tire and Supply Company) T-Shirt
XS / Army
$19.99
Sale price
$19.99
Regular price
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GhostCorp Apparel - resurrecting iconic corporate ghosts.
Celebrate Otasco, the Oklahoma Tire and Supply Company that grew from a single Okmulgee store into a familiar multistate retailer. Founded in 1918 by the Sanditen brothers, the company moved its headquarters to Tulsa and became known for auto parts, appliances, and credit-based shopping. Its later chapters included a change of ownership, an employee purchase, and the closure of company-operated outlets in 1989. This shirt connects collectors and longtime customers with a memorable chapter of American retail history.
Otasco, short for Oklahoma Tire and Supply Company, was a Tulsa-based retail chain specializing in auto parts and appliances. Sam, Maurice, and Herman Sanditen, three Jewish Lithuanian immigrant brothers, established the business in 1918 and opened its first store in Okmulgee, Oklahoma. The company moved its headquarters to Tulsa in 1925 and built its business around offering products on credit. In 1960, the McCrory Corporation bought Otasco while retaining the Sanditen brothers. By 1968, the chain had 455 stores in 12 states. Employees bought the company from McCrory in 1984, making it one of the largest employee-owned companies in America. During the 1980s, struggling sales prompted a new logo and advertising campaign, but these drew little attention. Otasco filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy in 1988; 171 stores closed across 11 states, with 1,600 jobs lost. On March 30, 1989, 43 stores reopened in an effort to keep profitable locations operating, but the attempt failed. All outlets were ordered to close permanently at the end of business on June 3, 1989. A source cited in the article says franchisees received 99-year licenses to use the Otasco name. As of 2014, two Oklahoma stores remained in Beaver and Marlow, and a locally owned Otasco Associate store continued in Many, Louisiana.
Otasco (Oklahoma Tire and Supply Company) T-Shirt
$19.99
Sale price
$19.99
Regular price
Celebrate Otasco, the Oklahoma Tire and Supply Company that grew from a single Okmulgee store into a familiar multistate retailer. Founded in 1918 by the Sanditen brothers, the company moved its headquarters to Tulsa and became known for auto parts, appliances, and credit-based shopping. Its later chapters included a change of ownership, an employee purchase, and the closure of company-operated outlets in 1989. This shirt connects collectors and longtime customers with a memorable chapter of American retail history.
Otasco, short for Oklahoma Tire and Supply Company, was a Tulsa-based retail chain specializing in auto parts and appliances. Sam, Maurice, and Herman Sanditen, three Jewish Lithuanian immigrant brothers, established the business in 1918 and opened its first store in Okmulgee, Oklahoma. The company moved its headquarters to Tulsa in 1925 and built its business around offering products on credit. In 1960, the McCrory Corporation bought Otasco while retaining the Sanditen brothers. By 1968, the chain had 455 stores in 12 states. Employees bought the company from McCrory in 1984, making it one of the largest employee-owned companies in America. During the 1980s, struggling sales prompted a new logo and advertising campaign, but these drew little attention. Otasco filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy in 1988; 171 stores closed across 11 states, with 1,600 jobs lost. On March 30, 1989, 43 stores reopened in an effort to keep profitable locations operating, but the attempt failed. All outlets were ordered to close permanently at the end of business on June 3, 1989. A source cited in the article says franchisees received 99-year licenses to use the Otasco name. As of 2014, two Oklahoma stores remained in Beaver and Marlow, and a locally owned Otasco Associate store continued in Many, Louisiana.
| XS | S | M | L | XL | 2XL | 3XL | 4XL | 5XL | |
| Width, in | 16.50 | 18.00 | 20.00 | 22.00 | 24.00 | 26.00 | 28.00 | 30.00 | 32.00 |
| Length, in | 27.00 | 28.00 | 29.00 | 30.00 | 31.00 | 32.00 | 33.00 | 34.00 | 35.00 |
| Sleeve length, in | 8.60 | 8.90 | 9.20 | 9.50 | 9.70 | 10.00 | 10.40 | 10.80 | 11.20 |
| Size tolerance, in | 1.50 | 1.50 | 1.50 | 1.50 | 1.50 | 1.50 | 1.50 | 1.50 | 1.50 |
Product features
- 100% Airlume combed and ring-spun cotton (lightweight 4.2 oz/yd²) for a soft, breathable feel
- Retail fit with crew neckline — neat, easy to layer
- Structural details: side seams, shoulder tape, and ribbed knit collar to retain shape
- Labeling and prints: tear-away label; DTF or DTG printing used for crisp chest and sleeve designs
- Ethically made blanks (Fair Labor Association, Platinum WRAP), REACH certified
Care instructions
- Machine wash: cold (max 30C or 90F)
- Non-chlorine: bleach as needed
- Tumble dry: low heat
- Iron, steam or dry: medium heat
- Do not dryclean