Lindstrom’s TV & Appliance, celebrating a century in business, uses every inch of its four-story building in downtown Galesburg, Ill.
Lindstrom’s TV & Appliance hits the 100-year mark
By Janet Weyandt, YSN
Lindstrom’s TV & Appliance in Galesburg, Ill., has achieved something very few retailers, independent or otherwise, ever do: Reached its 100th year in business. Even more unique, it’s been in the same family since the beginning.
To celebrate, the store is offering special deals and prizes during its 100th year, which began in September.
“The whole thing started just to let everybody know we’ve been around for a while, refresh their memory,” said owner Dick Lindstrom.
His grandfather, George Lindstrom, opened the business in1924 under the name Quaker Products. Shortly thereafter it became George Lindstrom Radio, and then simply Lindstrom’s. Dick Lindstrom started working in the business when he was 13 and never left.
“In the early days we did a huge business in records — rock and roll from the ’50s, ’60s and ’70s,” said Lindstrom, who celebrated his 80th birthday this fall. “My first days at this store were in the record department. I got to see all the high school girls come in.”
Birthday Bonus
The idea for the year-long initiative came from Lindstrom’s desire to celebrate the business’s centennial all year long.
“We have a group of things we’re doing,” Lindstrom said. “It depends on the item.”
So far, the store has given away gift certificates, extra warranty coverage and free delivery. It all depends on what the customer is buying and what they need.
“In some cases, an extra warranty doesn’t mean anything because they’re already getting a super good warranty,” he said. “It’s a moving target but I think it’ll work.”
Family Legacy
Lindstrom’s TV & Appliance has always been in downtown Galesburg, and moved to its current location in 1982.
It uses every inch of space in its four-story building, too: Mattresses and service in the basement; product showroom on the main floor; trade-in and reconditioned appliances on the second floor; layaway and TV/appliance warehouse on the third floor; last stop for trade-ins before recycling on the fourth floor.
Lindstrom does a lot of the heavy lifting himself. In fact, he prides himself on being able to do more than just keep up with the young men who pitch in to move big appliances.
“I don’t feel like I’m 80 years old,” he said. “I just moved a dozen washers and dryers to the warehouse, no problem.”
Longevity is in his DNA, so he sees no reason to slow down.
“My father died when he was 92, so that means I’ve got 12 more years,” he said.
Lindstrom and his wife Carol have been married 57 years and have three children. The kids aren’t involved in the business because they all have their own careers, which is what their parents intended.
“I wanted them to determine their own fate,” Lindstrom said.
Old and New
Lindstrom has been a BrandSource member for 30 years and relies on AVB Marketing for his business website. In other ways, however, his “old-fashioned” business practices are still working for him.
“They keep telling me the website’s an extension of your store,” he said. “We’re old fashioned. We actually write up a sales invoice. The other day we had a fairly significant power outage downtown. Everybody else is out of business and I’m selling — I’m writing sales tickets.”
Lindstrom doesn’t attend every BrandSource event, but when Convention or Summit is held in Nashville, he makes a point of being there. He also always sends someone to the Greater Midwest Region meeting each year.
Region Manager Roy Radloff said Lindstrom has always pitched in to help fellow dealers when he could.
“Lindstrom’s is a long-time supportive member and always engages with other members to help navigate similar issues they face in the industry,” he said. “Dick is a great leader in his community and gives back every chance he gets.”
YSN publisher AVB BrandSource is the nation’s largest merchandising and marketing co-op for independent appliance, mattress, furniture and CE dealers.
