History

The Beginning
On October 1, 1917, John E. Kieffer, Sr. started a tire store, Girard Rubber Co. at 1123 Girard Avenue in Philadelphia. In the late 1920’s, the business began selling a few appliances: the RCA and Philco Battery Crystal Radio sets, the Grono & Crosley refrigerator, and the Royal electric vacuum cleaner. These few appliances, considered innovations at the time, were the predecessor of what was to become the standard Kieffer’s concept – the newest merchandise, at the best prices.

In 1924, John E. Kieffer opened a second location at 4666 North 15th Street, which operated as a separate store until 1926, when the Girard Avenue store closed and moved to 15th street. John E. Kieffers’ owned their own tire recapping plant for 48 years. But in the early 50’s, the appliance business grew larger than the recapping business and by 1965, tire repair only accounted for approximately 20% of business and so was closed. However, the business continued to sell tires until 1984.

John E. Kieffer, Sr.’s two sons, John and Larry grew up in the business, using mountains of tires as a playground. By age 10, each of the boys was working part-time in the store, changing and recapping tires. In 1945, after an honorable discharge from the navy, Larry joined the business full-time. In 1946, John did the same. The store became known as John E. Kieffer & Sons.

Some of the appliances that Kieffer’s sold in the early days included ice boxes, where the cold came from the ice stored in the top, gas powered refrigerators, wringer washers, manglers, and gas car heaters run off the carburetor that produced instant heat. In the early 40’s, John E. Kieffer’s sold the first air conditioners, as well as the first TV’s. Those early TV’s were a 10” screen housed in a 40” case, costing $800 and, of course, were black and white. The first electric refrigerator, also introduced in the 40’s, was only 10 cubic feet, manual defrost and cost $600.

Rapid Expansion
With the tire business stagnant and the demand for household appliances steadily increasing, in 1963 Larry Kieffer opened the Lansdale store on Sumneytown Pike. The new Lansdale store now had the space to display many products and became known throughout the region as “the place to go” to see new appliances. Enjoying success in their new location, John E. Kieffer & Sons had a big influence in the surrounding community; sponsoring church, hospitals and medical corps fundraisers on its grounds, holiday pet shows, art shows and Boy Scout Jamborees. It was during a Boy Scout jamboree that Larry paid $200 for a “truck-load” of watermelon, intending to give a watermelon to all those who made an appliance purchase during the Scout jamboree. When the “truck-load” arrived, there were more than 500 melons!!! The scouts set up a free melon stand, had melon eating contests, gave one to everyone who walked near the store and still had melons left over. In 1977, the Philadelphia store closed its doors. The location was no longer suited for the business and John moved to the Lansdale store to join his brother Larry.

A Family Affair
Like his father, Larry encouraged his five children to work in the store. His oldest, John, at age 10, helped lay the tile and install the wiring and plumbing in the Lansdale store. He drove a delivery truck throughout high school and college to help fund his education; briefly joining his father in the business after graduation to learn the ropes.

In January 1987, John Kieffer and his wife Brenda bought the business from Larry and renamed it Kieffer’s Appliances. John, Sr. retired and Larry stayed to lend Brenda and John his 40+ years of expertise.

Commercial Division: A New Frontier
With the establishment of large chain stores such as Sears and Home Depot, the retail landscape was rapidly changing. John and Brenda identified this trend early and in 1990, the Contract Sales Division was established. This “traveling” sales team was designed to serve area Kitchen & Bath dealers, builders, architects & interior designers and their clients. Kieffer’s Appliances, THE SINGLE SOURCE OFFERING OVER 60 BRANDS, satisfies every major appliance need of home buyers in every socio-economic demographic.

With so many options available to the consumer, product knowledge has become very important. Manufactures are investing large dollars in brand awareness, particularly of upscale high-ticket products. The variety of product available today is overwhelming compared to just 10 years ago and consumers have many decisions to make.

For example, a client may think that the cooking decision is made when he/she chooses an electric range over a gas range coil, solid disk, or Ceran cooking surface? Perhaps induction? Do they want a grill, or a griddle? How about convection? Downdraft, updraft, or raised pinnacle vent? Kieffer’s commercial division provides its clients with an on-the-road sales staff. Kieffer’s offers specs for all of the over 60 manufacturers that they carry, as well as, technical support by phone in the local market from our own retail installers during the design and installations process.

2007

The Present and Future
October 2007 marked the beginning of the store’s 90th year, making it one of the oldest businesses in Lansdale. Family owned and operated since 1917, it is our mission to bring professional service and support and a broad product selection to an industry dominated by large, impersonal retail chains. With a newly renovated 12,000 square foot showroom displaying over 60 manufactures, Kieffer’s Appliances has become the largest independent appliance dealer in the tri-state area.

In May 2007 at the Lansdale showroom, Kieffer’s completed work on the 1,300 sq. ft. Subzero-Wolf Living Kitchen, featuring the full line of Subzero-Wolf products in real life kitchen vignettes. Also, to better serve the needs of the Main Line, in April 2007, we opened a new showroom at 755 W. Lancaster Ave. in Wayne, PA.

Kieffer’s Main Line is managed by Bob Dolan, a veteran of the appliance industry and longtime friend of John Kieffer. His product knowledge and friendly demeanor is a welcome addition to the Kieffer’s family

Our decades of success would not be possible without our biggest asset, the customer. We thank you for the years of loyalty and look forward to serving you for many years to come. Help us write the next chapter in Kieffer’s history.