Commemorating 100 Years in Style: JH Kelly’s Corporate Anniversary Merchandise Collection
A 100‑year anniversary is more than a milestone. It’s a testament to resilience, craftsmanship, and a legacy built over generations. When JH Kelly prepared to celebrate their centennial, they wanted something that honored their history while energizing the people who continue to shape the company today. What followed was a celebration as memorable as the century that inspired it, centered around a thoughtfully curated corporate anniversary merchandise collection.
A Collection as Big as Their Legacy
To mark the occasion, JH Kelly partnered with Image Source to create a commemorative apparel and merchandise line that captured the company’s heritage in a fresh, meaningful way. What started as a simple idea quickly grew into a full‑scale lifestyle collection.
The final assortment included many items from outerwear and hats to drinkware, accessories, and specialty items, the corporate anniversary merchandise collection offered something for everyone. Employees could choose from pieces that honored different eras of the brand, including sweatshirts featuring JH Kelly logos from the 1950s through today.
One of the standout elements was a series of shirts featuring three vintage JH Kelly vehicles: a 1950s green Dodge truck, a 1967 teal Chevy truck, and a 1970s green service van. These weren’t just graphic elements; the actual vehicles were showcased inside the venue during the anniversary celebration, creating a powerful connection between the past and present.
Online Store Pop‑Up Shop Success
To make the collection accessible to employees across locations, we built a custom online pop‑up store exclusively for JH Kelly. The platform made browsing and ordering seamless and the response was immediate.
The first round of the store generated 996 orders, totaling $209,736.82. Demand was so strong that a second round was launched, adding another 204 orders and $52,729.69 in sales. Across both rounds, the pop‑up store brought in more than $260,000 in total sales — an incredible turnout for a workforce estimated around 900–1,000 employees.
The enthusiasm behind the corporate anniversary merchandise collection transformed the pop‑up store into more than a shopping experience. It became a shared moment of pride, connection, and celebration.
A Celebration Worthy of a Century
The anniversary event itself was just as impressive as the merchandise. JH Kelly hosted a celebration that blended history, culture, and community:
- A massive food spread that “had everything.”
- Irish dancing groups and bagpipe performances that energized the crowd.
- Speeches from CEO Mason Evans and the mayor of Longview.
- The company’s custom 100‑year sign, created in‑house and proudly displayed, later spotted again in their tap room.
The atmosphere was electric. The presence of the vintage vehicles, also featured on the apparel, created a full‑circle moment that tied the entire centennial story together.
A Legacy That Keeps Rolling
The celebration didn’t end with the anniversary. JH Kelly continued the momentum into the following year, commissioning a plush replica of their iconic green truck for their summer picnic, a playful nod to the heritage pieces that had become employee favorites.
A Century Celebrated, A Story Continued
From wildly successful online store and an unforgettable anniversary event, JH Kelly’s corporate anniversary merchandise collection was a tribute worthy of the company’s legacy. It honored the past, energized the present, and created keepsakes that employees will carry into the next century.