Penn Fruit Cotton Polo Shirt
S / Charcoal
$38.99
Sale price
$38.99
Regular price
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GhostCorp Apparel - resurrecting iconic corporate ghosts.
Penn Fruit began at 52nd and Market streets in Philadelphia in 1927, where low prices and lively promotions helped a neighborhood produce shop grow into a regional supermarket name. This polo shirt brings that local retail story into everyday wear, recalling the chain’s broad reach across Greater Philadelphia and New Jersey. Its history spans fresh produce, expanding grocery departments, and the sweeping-roof stores that made Penn Fruit a familiar part of the area’s streetscape.
Founded in Philadelphia in 1927 by Morris Kaplan, Isaac Kaplan, and Samuel Cooke, Penn Fruit began as a produce store at 52nd and Market streets. Low prices and heavy promotions helped the first shop grow quickly, and by the early 1930s the company had six stores. Competition led it to add groceries and develop larger self-service supermarkets. During the 1930s and 1940s, Penn Fruit expanded across greater Philadelphia and New Jersey, adding fresh meat and floral departments. After World War II, it opened stores in New York and Baltimore, though those distant markets proved less successful. Its 1950s supermarkets became known for broad arch roofs. In the 1960s, the company diversified into garden, drug, convenience-food, and toy retailing, and introduced discount formats Dale’s in 1964 and Consumers Warehouse Markets in 1967, often by rebranding existing stores. By 1971, it had nearly 80 stores and sales of $370 million. A 1973 price war with Acme’s Philadelphia-area stores strained its warehouse business. Penn Fruit filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy after nearly two years, sold most non-supermarket holdings, and disposed of stores. In 1975, 17 remaining stores went to Food Fair. Penn Fruit continued as a Pantry Pride division until that company also filed for bankruptcy in 1977; its units were then absorbed by various competitors. The chain operated from 1927 to 1979.
Penn Fruit Cotton Polo Shirt
$38.99
Sale price
$38.99
Regular price
Penn Fruit began at 52nd and Market streets in Philadelphia in 1927, where low prices and lively promotions helped a neighborhood produce shop grow into a regional supermarket name. This polo shirt brings that local retail story into everyday wear, recalling the chain’s broad reach across Greater Philadelphia and New Jersey. Its history spans fresh produce, expanding grocery departments, and the sweeping-roof stores that made Penn Fruit a familiar part of the area’s streetscape.
Founded in Philadelphia in 1927 by Morris Kaplan, Isaac Kaplan, and Samuel Cooke, Penn Fruit began as a produce store at 52nd and Market streets. Low prices and heavy promotions helped the first shop grow quickly, and by the early 1930s the company had six stores. Competition led it to add groceries and develop larger self-service supermarkets. During the 1930s and 1940s, Penn Fruit expanded across greater Philadelphia and New Jersey, adding fresh meat and floral departments. After World War II, it opened stores in New York and Baltimore, though those distant markets proved less successful. Its 1950s supermarkets became known for broad arch roofs. In the 1960s, the company diversified into garden, drug, convenience-food, and toy retailing, and introduced discount formats Dale’s in 1964 and Consumers Warehouse Markets in 1967, often by rebranding existing stores. By 1971, it had nearly 80 stores and sales of $370 million. A 1973 price war with Acme’s Philadelphia-area stores strained its warehouse business. Penn Fruit filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy after nearly two years, sold most non-supermarket holdings, and disposed of stores. In 1975, 17 remaining stores went to Food Fair. Penn Fruit continued as a Pantry Pride division until that company also filed for bankruptcy in 1977; its units were then absorbed by various competitors. The chain operated from 1927 to 1979.
Product features - Durable double-pique fabric designed for crisp embroidery - Modern classic fit with side seams and vents for better shape - Contoured welt collar and cuffs with a clean, topstitched shoulder - Soft Sport Grey option (90/10 cotton/poly) and 100% ring-spun cotton varieties - Tear-away label, dyed-to-match buttons, and finished placket for polished comfort Care instructions