Appliance Center founder Chuck Oswald was still a teenager when he got a job making appliance deliveries for Appliance Plaza in the 1950s. Growing up in government housing(Weiler Homes) taught Chuck much and gave him the confidence to go out on his own.
" He thought, ‘I could do this too,’” says his daughter, Julie Oswald Abbey. So while Chuck was in Law School, wrestling for the University of Toledo, and with a young family at hand, Appliance Center was born.
In 1963, the Oswald Family opened Appliance Center in Parkway Plaza Maumee and began offering the company’s signature services: Professional Sales of the best brands available in the US, White-glove Delivery every day & Professional Service after the sale.
Eventually, the fast-growing business needed more space, and the Oswald Family moved the company to nearby Holiday Plaza, where it remained until 1984, when the growing business moved to its current Illinois Avenue location in Maumee, more than doubling the size of the business.
Shortly afterward, Julie Oswald Abbey and her brother John joined the family business. The business continued to grow, and the family expanded the store, doubling its size.
In 1999, Chuck Oswald stepped back from the business, leaving it in the hands of his son and daughter. Chuck passed away in 2004, but his commitment to service still serves as an inspiration to Appliance Center team members, many of which have been with the company for decades, and have multiple family members working there as well.
“We like to say that we hire for life,” Julie Oswald Abbey says, noting that the
the average employee has been with the company for more than 10 years.
“We have about 150 team members,” John Oswald says. “With the team’s support, Appliance Center has become the largest family-owned furniture and appliance superstore in Ohio & Michigan, and are so proud of our team. They are the secret to our success.”
In 2009, Appliance Center underwent a $5 million expansion, adding furniture,
flooring and home accessories to its already impressive offerings. Shortly thereafter, the store expanded again, adding about 15,000 square feet for cabinetry, countertops, additional flooring and expanding its furniture and mattress galleries. Appliance Center continued to grow, opening the Maumee Clearance Outlet in 2014 and the 10 Acre Toledo Distribution Center & Merchandise Fulfillment Center in 2016. Immediately following, Appliance Center expanded once again, adding an external service department with academy-trained technicians that service all major brands of appliances and also offers the area’s exclusive appliance parts counter.
In 2017, Appliance Center opened a third location on Monroe Street in Sylvania, expanding to three locations to offer Ohio & Michigan’s largest in-stock inventory of furniture, mattresses & appliances.
Appliance Center’s presence also grew online, offering customers the opportunity to shop in-store or online.
After 60 years, our local, family-owned home furnishing superstore is better than ever and looking forward to a bright future. “Selling more than 200 of the best brands with $7,000,000 in inventory, so customers don’t have to wait and being able to offer same-day delivery to customers really separates us from the chains. We beat their prices every day, so we’ve been able to grow every year,” John Oswald says. “When it comes to furniture, appliances, mattresses, cabinetry, flooring, and service, we believe Appliance Center Furniture & Mattress is the absolute best option available. We truly appreciate our NW Ohio & SW Michigan neighbors for 60 years of loyal support!”
