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GhostCorp Apparel - resurrecting iconic corporate ghosts.
Celebrate the Value City Department Stores story with a shirt inspired by a familiar name in American discount retail. Ephraim Schottenstein founded the chain in central Ohio in 1917, opening its first store on Columbus’s Parsons Avenue. Value City later expanded to St. Louis and became part of local shopping memories under regional names, including Schottenstein’s. Its 2008 closure marked the end of a distinctive retail chapter. Wear this as a personal nod to Columbus history, longtime shoppers, and department store collectors.
Value City Department Stores was an American off-price department store chain founded in 1917 by Ephraim Schottenstein, a traveling salesman in central Ohio. Its first store opened at 1887 Parsons Avenue, at the corner of Parsons and Reeb avenues in Columbus. The retailer sold clothing, jewelry, and home goods below manufacturers’ suggested retail prices, with merchandise that included buyouts, closeouts, irregular apparel, and factory seconds. In the Columbus market, stores used the Schottenstein’s name, which was dropped in 2008; three Metro Detroit locations were co-branded as Crowley’s Value City. The company entered the St. Louis market in 1995, opening in Webster Groves when the chain had 79 stores. In 1999, it acquired the Grandpa’s discount chain, including 15 stores in the St. Louis area. Retail Ventures later sought to sell the operation and announced plans in 2007 to sell as many as 24 stores to Burlington. On January 23, 2008, Retail Ventures announced the sale of an ownership stake to newly formed VCHI Acquisition Company. Value City closed selected stores and reorganized merchandise during 2008, then announced bankruptcy and the closure of all remaining locations on October 27. Store sales were completed December 23, 2008.
Value City Department Stores T-Shirt
$19.99
Sale price
$19.99
Regular price
Celebrate the Value City Department Stores story with a shirt inspired by a familiar name in American discount retail. Ephraim Schottenstein founded the chain in central Ohio in 1917, opening its first store on Columbus’s Parsons Avenue. Value City later expanded to St. Louis and became part of local shopping memories under regional names, including Schottenstein’s. Its 2008 closure marked the end of a distinctive retail chapter. Wear this as a personal nod to Columbus history, longtime shoppers, and department store collectors.
Value City Department Stores was an American off-price department store chain founded in 1917 by Ephraim Schottenstein, a traveling salesman in central Ohio. Its first store opened at 1887 Parsons Avenue, at the corner of Parsons and Reeb avenues in Columbus. The retailer sold clothing, jewelry, and home goods below manufacturers’ suggested retail prices, with merchandise that included buyouts, closeouts, irregular apparel, and factory seconds. In the Columbus market, stores used the Schottenstein’s name, which was dropped in 2008; three Metro Detroit locations were co-branded as Crowley’s Value City. The company entered the St. Louis market in 1995, opening in Webster Groves when the chain had 79 stores. In 1999, it acquired the Grandpa’s discount chain, including 15 stores in the St. Louis area. Retail Ventures later sought to sell the operation and announced plans in 2007 to sell as many as 24 stores to Burlington. On January 23, 2008, Retail Ventures announced the sale of an ownership stake to newly formed VCHI Acquisition Company. Value City closed selected stores and reorganized merchandise during 2008, then announced bankruptcy and the closure of all remaining locations on October 27. Store sales were completed December 23, 2008.
| 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