Decatur-The man who started K’s Merchandise in Decatur, has died. David “Kay” Eldridge died Tuesday, according to his obituary. Kay, 81, died at Decatur Memorial Hospital.
Kay and his Father started K’s Merchandise in 1957. The original location was in downtown Decatur on Main Street. It was destroyed by a fire in 1958. The store was rebuilt and then in the 90’s went to its last location on Pershing Road. K’s Merchandise was a 17 store privately owned catalog showroom chain. Stores were located in Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kentucky and Missouri.
According to his obituary, which you can read in full by clicking here, his children, grandchildren and nieces all still in the Decatur or surrounding areas. Kay’s brother, Ray Eldridge, joined the family business at a later date and owns Ray Eldridge Jewelers in Decatur.
