By Dori Easterson, YSN
Appliance Center loves its communities! And what better way to bring the community together but to have a parking lot party?
Julie Abbey, along with her brother and co-principal John Oswald, have played a huge role in their communities for more than 20 years. Now with three locations around Toledo, OH, the duo fills their Maumee and Monroe Street parking lots every Wednesday during the summer with food trucks and live music for their customers with a Parking Lot Party.
“We host food trucks on Wednesdays from 4-7, or now 11-7,” Abbey said. “The trucks wanted to work longer shifts. This gets the local food trucks working and they all have their own social media and followers.” Between the local food trucks and the local musicians that Appliance Center hires for these events, it brings the community together and helps the local businesses out as well. Appliance Center purchased tables just for these events and makes sure they are spaced for social distancing. “If you have a lot large enough for this, it really helps everyone. The employees like it too,” she said.
During these events, they offer product deals and give out Appliance Center gift certificates to random attendees and have drawings online as well.
They have also filled their Maumee parking lot with their annual Cruiz-in Car Show this past July. This year they had retired professional sports car racer, Michael Murray, and his 2019 Limited Edition Ford GT — one of only three in Ohio — on display. With free registration, free dash plaques and free admission, they are always assured a great turnout. Plus, they held door prize drawings every 30 minutes and four choice award trophies for registered cars.
“Lots of new customers come into the store to wash up or use the restroom,” Abbey said. “I love seeing new faces.”
BrandSource is a nationwide buying group for independent appliance, mattress, furniture and CE dealers, and is a unit of YSN publisher AVB Inc.
