Sears manager Frank Starkey stands in foreground at left; other employees unidentified; c. early 1960s (Sears Collection)

Sears employees (unidentified) dance the Charleston at a company event; c. early 1960s (Sears Collection)

Sears manager Frank Starkey takes the microphone at a company event (other employees unidentified); c. early 1960s (Sears Collection)

Sears employees (unidentified) perform the Bunny Hop at a company event; c. early 1960s (Sears Collection)

“Uncle Dudley” (left), host of a WFIE-Ch. 14 children’s progam, poses with the winner (unidentified) of a B-1 Lemon-Lime Soda competition; photo dated December 20, 1959 (Sears Collection)

Winners of competition line up to receive toys from an employee; c. late 1950s (Sears Collection)

Sears float in downtown parade; c. 1970 (Sears Collection)

“Hula girls” pose in women’s shoe department; photo dated August 25, 1962 (Sears Collection)

Winnie the Pooh greets children; photo dated March 5, 1966 (Sears Collection)

Event featuring Peggy Kellogg Golden Popcorn, distributed by Sears; photo dated February 19, 1961 (Sears Collection)

Marcia Yockey, WFIE-Ch. 14’s weather forecaster, assists the Easter Bunny after his arrival at the Evansville airport; c. 1960 (Sears Collection)

The Easter Bunny chats with children; c. 1960 (Sears Collection)

Store manager Frank Starkey (right) and unidentified employee introduce the Easter Bunny; c. 1960 (Sears Collection)

The Easter Bunny dangles from the Sears Store at the corner of Fourth and Sycamore; c. 1960 (Sears Collection)

Customers look at a bear on display in the toy department at Washington Square; c. mid-1960s (Sears Collection)

The Wild Ones, a New York-based rock band, performs at Washington Square; photo dated August 19, 1966 (Sears Collection)

Evansville Mayor Frank McDonald, Sr., (seated) shines the shoes of Sears store manager Frank Starkey, as Hank Meyer and unidentified woman stand in rear; photo dated September 14, 1963 (Sears Collection)

Ca. 1950s (Sears Collection)

Co-founder of Sears, Roebuck & Co. in 1886 (Sears Collection)

Sears drivers standing next to their delivery trucks; c. 19402-1950s (Sears Collection)

Birthplace of Sears, Roebuck & Co. in North Redwood, MN (Sears Collection)

Plaque on downtown Sears building commemorating the founding of the Evansville store as the first Sears retail department store outside of the company’s mail order building; plaque dedicated by employees on October 4, 1960 (Sears Collection)