Popular 75-year-old appliance retailer closing unexpectedly

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My mother buys her appliances from a local retailer near her Salem, Massachusetts, home that has been in business for nearly 70 years.

Local appliance stores were once common, but many have been put out of business by Best Buy, Lowe's, and Home Depot. Those chains tend to be able to offer lower prices and that, for many people, makes up for their lack of customer service.

My mother, however, still shops at her local retailer because while the prices might be a little higher, the personal touch makes up for that. It may not matter to everyone, but she still values a transparent sales process that puts her needs first.

There's value to white-glove delivery and not having to wait around for four- to eight-hour windows that somehow the delivery workers still miss.

Local retailers, however, have been disappearing, according to data from Cornell University.

"We show that the expansion of multi-market firms into new markets explains most of the increase in national retail concentration, with consolidation via increases in local market shares increasing in importance between 1997 and 2007, and single-market firms playing a negligible role," the researchers shared.

It's getting harder for local players to compete, and that's a hard-learned lesson for Tracy's Appliances, a single-location regional appliances and electronics retailer that has been around for 75 years.

Tracy's Appliances closing forever

Tracy's Appliances began in 1950 as Tracy's Refrigeration. It has been family-operated and independent since its founding.

Current operator Jeff Tracy has estimated that the store has served around three out of five homes in part of Ohio.

That legacy, however, will not carry on to the next generation.

"The family-owned business has been sold to a national furniture and appliance chain, which will take over operations at the current Elida Road location. The new owners plan to announce themselves at a later date," HomeTownStations reported.

Tracy's Appliances has not set a final day, but a liquidation sale has begun at its showroom.

Related: 75-year-old furniture chain keeps closing more stores

The company's website was not operational at the time this article was written.

Jeff Tracy said that it was simply time to make this move.

"It's a timeline. My parents have been gone for quite some time, my sister and her husband are also involved in the business, and they're prepared to retire. I'm certainly prepared to retire. We just had an opportunity present itself, and we took it," he shared.

Tracy’s Appliances timeline

• Founded in 1950.

• Incorporated in 1953 as Tracy Refrigeration, Inc. Source: Better Business Bureau

• Family‑owned business; Jeff Tracy is president.

• Located at 4064 Elida Rd., Lima, OH.

• Over its history, it grew to serve a large portion of the Lima area; owner Jeff Tracy estimated it had “serviced three out of every five homes” in Lima.

• Offered mattress and bedding sales in addition to major appliances.

• In 2007, Jeff Tracy (owner) spoke at a national BrandSource convention. Source: The Retail Observer

• After 75 years in business, Tracy’s Appliances announced it would close (or be sold).

• The decision to close was driven by Jeff Tracy retiring and other family members also stepping away. Source: Your Hometown Stations

Why appliance chains are struggling

Consumers have become more cautious when making big-ticket purchases.

"A growing share of consumers rank durability, efficiency, and affordability as more important than advanced or connected features. When disposable income declines, the shift becomes even more pronounced; consumers are increasingly cautious about spending and selective about which features they prioritize," shared the annual McKinsey Global State of White Goods Survey.

It's just harder to get people to pull the trigger on a major purchase than it once was.

"Consumers are replacing existing models less frequently than they have in the past," according to the study.

The market is also dominated by the big players, according to data from OpenBrand.

Second-quarter 2025 market share by dollars

• Lowe's: 39%

• Home Depot: 37%

• Best Buy: 18%

Lowe’s, Home Depot, and Best Buy together control 94% of the U.S. appliance market, leaving very little room for smaller independent retailers. This concentration helps explain why family-owned stores like Tracy’s Appliances have struggled to compete, despite decades of loyal local service.

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• Best Buy warns holiday shoppers of updated return policy

• Major retailers have jacked up prices due to tariffs

Retailers like Tracy's Appliances are also hurt by their limited omnichannel presence.

"Nearly three-fourths (71%) of home appliance purchases happen in-store, and 75% of appliance purchases occur on the first visit to the store," according to the J.D. Power 2023 U.S. Appliance Satisfaction Study, reported Business Wire. "Though 29% of purchases take place online, most shoppers still want to see the appliance in person."

But a strong website is still key.

“This year’s data shows us that 56% of home appliance shoppers are doing their research online before heading in store to purchase,” said J.D. Power's Christina Cooley.

Why you should shop at independent appliance chains

On its website, Voss TV and appliances, a local retailer itself, offered reasons why customers should avoid big chains.

• Long-term appliance specialists: Local appliance stores often have a team of specialists who have been in the business for many years. These specialists understand appliances inside and out. They can provide valuable insights and recommendations based on years of experience. Many local stores focus on building long-term relationships with their customers. This trust can lead to better service and support over time.

• Huge selection of appliances: Local appliance stores often carry a wide range of brands and models that may not be available at big chains. While big chains may stock popular brands, local stores might offer unique or specialty brands that focus on quality and performance.

This story was originally reported by TheStreet on Nov 22, 2025, where it first appeared in the Retail section. Add TheStreet as a Preferred Source by clicking here.