Published: January 05, 2009 07:46 am         

Just like family

Holloman keeps business going strong

When Appliance Sales & Service owner Angie Holloman walks into the store each morning, it is more than inventory, billing or repairs on her mind — in fact, it doesn’t even feel like work.

What does overwhelm her thoughts when she opens those doors is the daily dose of home from the smiling faces of her employees and customers she considers to be part of the family.

“It is not like work at all — it is like coming home,” Holloman explained in a recent interview. “My employees have become a family.

“And it is so fulfilling to be able to help the customers that come in to the store each day,” she added. “It is our goal to make people happy no matter what — that is why so many people consider us to be the friendliest store and that is what has kept them coming back over the past 16 years.”

Bill and Angie Holloman started Appliance Sales & Service in 1992 in an old transmission shop — an expanded version of which still sits on the business’s site at 706 N. Perry St.

“We first offered used and refurbished appliances to customers,” Angie Holloman said, “and as the business progressed, we added on to the store and started carrying new appliances.”

In 2007, Angie Holloman took over as sole owner of the business, employing 10 people and striving to offer the latest in appliances, furniture, parts and service to customers.

“We service everything we sell; and sell parts for all appliances as well,” she said. “We recently added Ashley® furniture and Simmons® Beautyrest® bedding to our inventory.”

The backbone of Appliance Sales, Holloman said, are its employees — whose tenures with the local business range from 14 years to four months.

“Our service technician Glenn Fendley has been with us since 1994, doing all requested service,” she said. “In 2000, inventory manager Pam Guinn joined us and has done a wonderful job taking us into the computer world — she is my right arm.”

Rita Walters and Sarah Copeland serve as the business’ sales people.

“Walters, our top salesperson, has been with us since 2002,” Holloman said. “She is also a specialist in house bids — whether it is for parts or a house full of appliances.

“Copland is our newest employee,” she added. “We went through about 20 others before we found her and she is great.”

Also part of the Appliance Sales team are: Carlos Ruiz, head of delivery and installation; Jimmy Hiner, warehouse; and Alex Sambrano, delivery helper.

“We all work, and even play, well together,” Holloman said about the employees. “The girls and I have gone skydiving and taken trips.”

More important that its inner workings, Holloman reported that service to customers and the community have remained priorities over the years at Appliance Sales.

“We take every chance to donate appliances or mattresses to needy families — those who have been displaced by fire or other circumstances,” Holloman said. “We just want to give back a little of what has been given to us.

“And all our customers get individualized personal attention,” she added. “Once they do business with us, they usually stay and keep coming back.

“We work very hard to build their trust and meet their needs.”

Appliance Sales & Service is located at 706 N. Perry St., two blocks north of the Anderson County Courthouse in Palestine. Business hours are from 8:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. Monday through Friday and from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturdays. Call 903-729-4882 for more information.

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Mary Rainwater may be reached via e-mail at mrainwater@palestineherald.com

     

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