J & S Appliance and Home Furnishings

In the fall of 1976 Jim Pierce began attending Lewis and Clark State College in Lewiston, Idaho, to receive a degree in Applied Science of Major Appliance and Business. Early 1977 we began a free appliance removal service, and began reconditioning these appliances for resale, to help support our family during the two years Jim was in college. Shela worked as the head cook at J.C. Penny's restaurant during the day, and helped pick up and clean the appliances as they were repaired. We parted out the appliances which were not repairable, building up our inventory of used parts. Just before graduation in May 1978, a General Electric representative approached Jim's college professor inquiring if any of their top students possessed the intellect, and maturity to step into an existing business in Okanogen, Washington. His G.E. franchise owner was terminally ill and they couldn't sell or continue in their business. Within two weeks we had sold our home, relocated to Okanogen, and purchased the business. We then purchased a half acre, built a store front next to our home on the main thorough fare, operating there for five years. In addition to servicing and installing major household appliances, we installed and serviced air conditioning, both residential, and commercial, as well as restaurant equipment. Our reconditioned appliance sales grew tremendously, along with the service industry. In 1983 one of our foster children, a little girl named Nancy, was in the process of being freed for adoption. The entire family had bonded with this toddler and she was the light of our lives. Due to the type of abuse, and the proximity of her biological family, CSD required she be adopted out of the county. We sold our business, and moved to Spokane, Wa., where we both secured jobs in our field. Sadly, the State opted to let a childless couple adopt her. In 1984, again at the request of General Electric, and Hildebrands Furniture, we relocated to Astoria, to work Sullivan Appliance Repair located at 1033 Commercial St, Astoria, Or ; the service was located in the basement of Hildebrands Furniture. On May 10, 1985, we purchased the business, borrowed $5000 from US Bank for operating expenses, and again began building a good customer base. We built our reputation up by our knowledge, honesty, and going the extra mile for our customers.