T-Shirt
Object number2019.40.5
Manufacturer
Gildan
Date1985-2019
OriginNicaragua
MediumCotton; Ink
Credit LineGiven in honor of the McGinnis Family
DescriptionYellow short-sleeve t-shirt. Size XL. Crew neck. Hems at cuffs and bottom of shirt. Front has dark green printed marketing message with three green leaves on the proper right side of the text and an orange peach to the proper left of the text. Back has dark green printed message about peaches.DimensionsHeight x Width (Width is between shoulder seams): 30.5 × 23 in. (77.5 × 58.4 cm)InscriptionsFront has dark green printed text "BUY FRESH / BUY LOCAL".
Back has dark green printed text at top "The tase / of summer! / Chambersburg / Peaches".
MarksTwo white fabric maker tags inside collar at back center:
top tag has printed blue and red text on front "GILDAN / Heavy Cotton";
top tag has black printed text on reverse including "Made in Nicaragua / ... / Gildan Activewear...";
bottom tag has black printed text on front including "XL / 100% COTTON PRESHRUNK / Made in Nicaragua"; and
bottom tag has blue printed care instructions on reverse.
Historical NotesThis t-shirt illustrates the McGinnis Sisters' emphasis by the late 1980s and 1990s on the idea of fresh food, with identified sources. Modeling after area farmer’s markets rather than other grocery stores, they trucked in Chambersburg Peaches from south central PA and offered them as a seasonal specialty. Part of the McGinnis Family Food Stores collection that encompasses materials related to the operation of a chain of family-run food markets that started in Pittsburgh’s South Hills Baldwin neighborhood in 1946. The first McGinnis market (variously referred to as “McGinnis Supermarket” or “McGinnis Food Market”) was started by family patriarch James Elwood McGinnis when he could not find a job after WWII. Beginning with a fruit cart, he eventually opened a grocery and deli at 2872 Custer Avenue in Baldwin that proved so successful it expanded to multiple stores, including one in Carrick/Castle Shannon and later Monroeville. The stores were operated by different family members. In 1985, three McGinnis sisters – Sharon McGinnis Young, Bonnie McGinnis Vello, and Noreen McGinnis Campbell – assumed operation of the main set of McGinnis Stores, rebranding them “McGinnis Sisters” markets. (Two brothers split off and started other stores not considered part of the chain.) With the three women serving as active spokespersons, the stores garnered more media attention during this period. For most of its operation, the chain was largely connected with stores that operated in the South Hills and Monroeville. Between 2008 and 2017, a McGinnis Sisters market also operated north of Pittsburgh in a shopping center in Adams Township/Mars, Pennsylvania. A series of events between 2017 and 2019 eventually brought about the closure of the chain. Objects in the collection were gathered from throughout the stores and consolidated at the final property, the McGinnis Sisters Special Food Store at 3825 Saw Mill Run Boulevard.
Previous owner
McGinnis Family Food Stores
(1946 - 2019)
Related person
James Elwood McGinnis
Related person
Sharon McGinnis Young
Related person
Bonnie McGinnis Vello
Related person
Noreen McGinnis Campbell
On View
Not on view
Gildan Activewear SRL
Hanes
