A relationship that started behind the counter of an Omaha sporting goods store in the mid-1980s comes full circle as two local entrepreneurs combine their life’s work.
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE | August 31, 2026 |
OMAHA, Neb. — August 31, 2026 — When Pete McCann and Kelly Loneman first crossed paths at a local Omaha sporting goods store in the mid-1980s, they were just two young people working the same job. Neither could have predicted that forty years later, they would be joining the companies they each built from scratch.
Today, Ideal Images, Omaha’s leading provider of branded apparel, promotional products, and company stores, announced the acquisition of Image Market, a nationally recognized custom apparel company serving school clubs, bands, choirs, and activity groups across the country. The deal became effective June 1, 2026. The companies spent the months since focused on ensuring a seamless transition for customers, staff, and operations before making the announcement.
Kelly Loneman founded Image Market in 1989 with a straightforward mission. “Image Market started in 1989 with a commitment to taking great care of our customers, and that has remained at the heart of our business for more than 35 years,” said Loneman. Over those decades, he built Image Market into a nationally respected brand, delivering vibrant, high-quality screen printing and embroidery to school clubs, bands, choirs, and activity groups in all 50 states.
Pete McCann has watched that growth from the beginning.
“I’ve known Kelly since the mid-1980s. We worked together at a local sporting goods store,” said McCann, Founder of Ideal Images. “Even then, he stood out for his entrepreneurial drive and his eye for design. Watching him build Image Market over the decades, I’ve only grown more impressed. This acquisition isn’t just a business decision. It’s a recognition of everything he built.”
“As we looked to the future, it was important to find a company that shared our commitment to quality and remarkable customer service,” said Loneman. “We believe we found that in Ideal Images.”
The personal history between the two founders runs deeper than friendship. Twenty-seven years ago, Loneman made the decision to purchase the building that houses Image Market — a move that made a lasting impression on McCann.
“I remember that moment clearly,” McCann said. “It actually inspired me to set the same goal for Ideal Images. Owning your own building is a statement of commitment to your team, your customers, and your community. It reflects exactly the kind of long-term thinking Kelly has always embodied.”
That commitment to building something lasting is reflected in how Ideal Images itself is run today. The company is now actively led by Pete’s children: Morgan McCann-Ayers, who serves as Chief Operating Officer, and Mitch McCann, who serves as Vice President of Sales. For Loneman, the fact that Ideal Images is a family business in the truest sense was part of what made this the right fit.
McCann described Loneman’s legacy plainly: “Kelly is a steady, principled builder. His craftsmanship, his calm leadership, and his people-first approach shaped Image Market’s culture from day one. He set a high bar for what it looks like to run a branding company with integrity.”
Image Market’s niche focus on non-athletic school activity groups is something Ideal Images intends to protect and build upon. Loneman is confident in what the combined company will mean for the customers he has served for more than three decades.
“Their team will not only take great care of our customers, but also offer them an even wider selection of garments and brands,” said Loneman. “Their experience creating company and group stores will be another great resource for our customers, and we’re excited about what Ideal Images can offer them moving forward.”
“One of the things Image Market does better than anyone is designing for groups that often get overlooked,” McCann said. “That focus and that creativity are core to who they are. Our goal is to build on that foundation, making the ordering experience even easier while continuing to deliver reliably and on time.”
Together, the two companies bring decades of combined experience serving schools, businesses, and organizations across Nebraska and nationally, positioning the combined entity as the region’s most comprehensive custom apparel and branded merchandise partner.
About Ideal Images
Ideal Images has helped Omaha-area teams and organizations build branded programs for 28 years. Founded by Pete McCann and now actively led by his children, COO Morgan Ayers and VP of Sales Mitch McCann, the company operates from a 65,000-square-foot facility at 13747 F St., Omaha, NE 68137 and offers screen printing, embroidery, company store setup and management, promotional products, and kitting and fulfillment — all under one roof. Learn more at ideal-images.com.
About Image Market
Founded in 1989 by Kelly Loneman, Image Market is a nationally recognized provider of custom apparel for school clubs, bands, choirs, and activity groups across all 50 states. Image Market will continue serving its national customer base as part of the Ideal Images family of brands. Learn more at imagemarket.com.
