The Largent’s team outside their Lewiston, Idaho, store.
The Northwest Region’s cream(ery) of the crop earns Dealer of the Year honors
By YSN Staff
Largent’s Appliance Sales & Service — a BrandSource Dealer of the Year for the Northwest Region — had what you might call a frosty beginning.
Founder Ralph Largent started out managing a creamery in Lewiston, Idaho. Ten years later, in 1930, he bought out the company’s appliance section and began selling his own white goods from the single shop, making it the first true appliance store in the Lewis Clark Valley.
See: How Largent’s Churned Out an Appliance Landmark
Ralph’s son-in-law, George LaVoie, took the helm in 1957 and operated the business until his retirement in 1990. That’s when George’s sons Craig and Kent acquired the company, followed by the later addition of a third brother, Steve, into the business as Service Manager.
“Great customer service was instilled by our father and grandfather and has allowed for our success through three generations,” said Craig. “We have always respected our customers’needs and provided the high level of service they deserve.”
Largent’s, like all Dealer of the Year honorees, was selected by the membership of its Region for its commitment to excellence in the retail industry and for its service to the community and fellow BrandSource dealers.
The Dealer of the Year awards are presented annually to selected members who have shown their continued support of BrandSource and its direct suppliers. Dealers of the Year must demonstrate that support by attending regional meetings as well as national events such as the Convention and BrandSource Summit.
A well-deserved congratulations to the LaVoie family and the great staff at Largent’s Appliance!
BrandSource, a unit of YSN publisher AVB Inc., is a nationwide buying group for independent appliance, mattress, furniture and CE dealers.
