About Us
Growing up in the family business made it easy for Gary Fox to decide what his career path would be. He admits he always seemed to have a knack for fixing anything mechanical, something he inherited from his father Duane and grandfather Harold. After high school, he went to appliance repair school, but admits the basics he knows about the trade he gained from watching and learning from his father.
In 1946, Harold Fox opened Stanley Electric in the town of Stanley. A few years later, he added plumbing and heating along with General Electric appliances. Duane Fox worked with his father, and in 1965, he and his wife Faith, purchased the business after Harold passed away. In 1977, a new shop was built in Stanley to accommodate the growing business.
Staying on top of customer demands and innovative products promoted Duane and Faith to purchase of the old Hardee's building on South Frederick Avenue in Oelwein, where Appliance Plus began in 1996. Their business added the sales of U.S. Cellular phones along with appliances. The Oreck line of vacuum cleaners was also added.
Gary and his wife Brenda took over the family business in January 2003 after Gary had worked with his father for more than 25 years. Two years later Appliance Plus expanded to a location in Independence where the same line of quality products is also sold.
The stores offer General Electric and Hotpoint appliances, including washers, dryers, refrigerators, ranges, microwaves, dishwashers, and freezers. They also special order appliances and repair all brands. Appliance Plus is a U.S. Cellular agent as well as an authorized Oreck dealer with a complete line of cleaners and accessories.
Gary said in today's economy, many customers are also taking advantage of their selection of scratch and dent appliances that may have a slight imperfection that are available on the showroom floor. These appliances are just as reliable, but are offered in significantly discounted prices.
Gary and Brenda are seeing the prospects of another generation coming on board as their daughters Rachel and Amber are both helping out in the stores with plans to join the business.
Along with Gary and Brenda, 17 employees work in various areas of the business both part-time and full-time from sales and office, to repair and delivery. They include Karen Bonefas, Candace Ratchford, Amber and Rachel Fox, Alexander Griffith, Lynn Ingamells, Bill Klendworth, Ben Loban, Theresa Loban, Sam Loban, Dean Schrader, Cole Elliott, Greg Hendren, Amanda Potts, Ashley Goodenbour, Codie Griswold, and Ashley Osborne.
Gary and Brenda invite area residents to stop in and check out their inventory at both locations, 423 S. Frederick Ave., Oelwein, and 1200 Third Ave. S.E., Independence.
