OCEAN CITY and NORTH WILDWOOD, N.J., March 30, 2015 /PRNewswire/ — In a time where small businesses face more competition than ever before, a business is celebrating its 70th anniversary. Johnson's Appliances & Bedding is a landmark that has been an integral part of the community for seven decades.
Its story began post World War II, when young servicemen returned home to rebuild their lives. Eager to start his own enterprise, Samuel Johnson decided to partner with his brother Irvin. They opened Johnson's Electric at 917 Asbury Ave. in Ocean City, N.J. They couldn't know it, but they had begun a family legacy that would employ four generations.
Today, Johnson's Appliances & Bedding has two locations. It has overcome recessions, changes in consumer preference and even hurricanes. Don Johnson, Samuel's son, is now at the helm.
It is a family enterprise. Samuel and Irvin's father, also named Irvin, worked at Johnson's, too. Samuel's grandson Brett recently joined the business.
Don Johnson started working summers at age 14, and became full-time in 1971. By that time, the business had undergone several changes.
"My father was an electrician, so initially that was the focus," explained Don. "But in 1951, we became a franchise GE appliance dealer and moved to 944 Asbury Avenue, which gave us the additional space that we needed. We strictly carried GE appliances. Back then, you had to choose which manufacturers you carried. We didn't diversify until 1972."
In 1971, the business moved to its present location at 930 Asbury Ave. in Ocean City, N.J. The family acquired an existing appliance store location in North Wildwood in 1999. In 2000, they added bedding to their offerings at both locations.
Customers included year-round residents and summer visitors. Johnson's also served a dedicated clientele in the Greater Philadelphia area who discovered the business while they were down the shore.
Another selling point is Johnson's quick delivery, usually next day. "We belong to a cooperative that keeps $11 million worth of inventory, which gives us easy access to whatever we need."
The access to stock proved to be essential during Hurricane Sandy, later labeled a super storm.
Johnson's Appliances & Bedding is located at 930 Asbury Ave., Ocean City, N.J. and at 2510 New York Ave., North Wildwood, N.J. For information, contact http://www.johnsonsappliances.net or (609) 399-1598.
For More Information, contact:
Carol Struett, ProMedia
(609) 465-4390
