Maumee retailer plans $3.5M expansion
9/16/2008A long-time locally-owned appliance store in suburban Toledo will spend $3.5 million to enlarge its showroom by four-fold and expand into bedding and furniture.
Construction at Appliance Center, Maumee, will begin late this month and likely be done by March, said John Oswald, president.
Employment could grow to 100 from its present 65, he added.
A ground-breaking is scheduled for Friday.
The store, owned by Mr. Oswald and his sister, Julie, has been family-run since 1963.
Appliance Center began selling mattresses two years ago, and executives have decided to add furniture and home decor items to existing appliance and electronic lines.
The store s mattress and furniture selection will grow to five times the current size with more than 75 manufacturers represented.
Appliances will be displayed in 10 kitchen settings to offer a more realistic appearance as compared to seeing them displayed side by side on a warehouse floor. Major displays will show dozens of nationally known brands.
The store, at 321 Illinois Ave., will have 48,500 square feet compared to 9,500 now when completed.