Historic photograph - appliance dept. at K-mart showing Frigidaires

[bradross]

Found this on Pinterest - a shot of the appliance department of the K-mart in San Jose, Calif (1970). I can't remember the K-mart in my neighborhood selling large appliances. But perhaps I was too interested in the toy department back then! (K-mart was my favorite place for toy shopping.)

 

[iowabear]

Great photo.  Our two K-Marts here did not sell major appliances either, but one had a separate room for televisions and stereos just like the one shown above.

 

In the early 1980s, when coin-op video games were the rage, the stored turned that room into a video arcade.  It was a great idea, the kids played games while the parents shopped.

 

[ea56]

This looks like the KMart in Santa Rosa, Calif. in 1970. They had an appliance department like this too. This is the store that burnt to the ground 1 year ago tomorrow in the Tubbs Fire.

Eddie

 

[askolover]

Our Kmart in Florence, Alabama sold Whirlpool appliances when I was little, around 1974.

 

[rp2813]

Just like a bad accident, I can't stop looking at those hideous chairs.  Joanne Worley should be sitting on one of them.

 

 

[mrsalvo]

I agree with Greg, I remember whirlpool washers and dryers being sold, and if memory serves well, they were no higher than middle of the line models. That was a long time ago! Lol.

Barry

 

[DADoES]

 
I recall the K-Mart in the next-over big town where we went shopping carrying both Whirlpool and Frigidaire, although I don't recall if the brands were concurrent.

FedMart had Whirlpool.  There was my first viewing of a real-live LAA-9800 pair.

Gibson's Discount Center carried Hotpoint.

 

[norgeway]

the washer my Mother bought

new in 69, pictured here, model, wcdan, Custom Deluxe!

 

[joelippard]

Oh Lord, to be able to go and buy those new today!

 

[gyrafoam]

Thanks to K-Mart, Whirlpool began to catch-on around Atlanta. Oh, a few independents sold them, but, K-Mart introduced them to the masses.

You could get a basic BOL for a great price, if money was tight, and it would do a good job.

 

[gansky1]

Only reason I liked K-mart.

More chain store appliance departments, I'm not sure of the stores, perhaps someone will recognize signage. Note the warning against shoplifting and hold-ups. Take those Mr. Coffee filters out of your pocketbook, ma'am.

 

[norgeway]

oh to

Be able to time travel!

 

[vintagekenmore]

I remember Kmart selling GE washers and dryers at one point in time

 

[lotsosudz]

Santa Rosa K-Mart

In the mid seventies, I worked at K-Mart, in the appliance dept. We sold Whirlpool, and GE appliances. They were low to mid models. Booth wer good solid brands at the time.

 

[bradross]

For a trip down memory lane...

listen to this jingle "Kmart is the saving place!" The video includes additional still shots of the appliance and stereo/TV departments.

 

[turquoisedude]

GE appliances at KMart

I recall that, too. It may have been part of the Canadian KMart sales policy, but the only major appliances I remember the one near where I grew up carrying were all GE's (the Canadian-built ones, bien sûr).

 

[justjunque]

Okay. I can't deny it. Hearing that jingle again after all these years did bring a tear to my eyes.

Barry

 

[unclejohn]

If only ...

... one would be able to travel back in the past !

I too remember K-Mart, as well as the earlier S.S. Kresge chain stores...

...Oh! Also Woolco and Woolworth !! ...And a plethora of (lost) local stores !

And now Sears going to a close (Simpsons-Sears): another page to be turned.

 

[luxflairguy]

I'm surprised to see Frigidaire at KMart!  In the Seattle/Tacoma Wa area I can't remember appliances even being sold--but again...wasn't a place my parents would shop...  We  bought washers and dryers at Sears and anything else at either the department store Bon Marche (Allied stores) or at an independent.  I know we replaced the 62 GE cooktop, oven and pull-out dishwasher at Weir's Appliances on K Street.   Again, Tacoma WA  only had one KMart in the 70's...

 

[pulltostart]

The first thing that comes to mind for me when I hear "K-Mart" is the TYFSAK stickers on the check-out counters.  A reminder for the sales person to say "thank you for shopping at K-Mart"

 

lawrence