Appliance Reliance
Martin Brothers TV & Appliances Still Offers Strong Selection and Service, Nearly 80 Years Later
Writer / Matt Keating
Photography Provided
Martin Brothers TV & Appliances has been a popular Russiaville business for the last eight decades, thanks to the personal service customers receive.
Owners Bill Martin and Derrick Martin say it will always be that way.
“It’s our attention to customer service that has kept us in business for so long,” Bill Martin says. “We have also been able to change with the times, but always maintain that positive connection with customers. People want personal service, especially in today’s world. It’s important, and we are still doing fantastic business because of that. We love making people happy.”
Martin says it’s always been a family business.
“My dad, who I am named after, started the business with his brothers, Eugene and Carl,” Martin says. “They opened in 1945. My dad had returned from being in the service during World War II. At that time they sold televisions and appliances, but also tires, hardware and gas.”
Martin says the business grew substantially over the years and overcame obstacles, including a tornado in 1965.
“At one time we were the largest Zenith color television dealer around when color televisions started coming out,” Martin says. “In 1964 Martin Brothers was incorporated. In 1965 a tornado destroyed the business. We had some trailers brought in and business continued, even though we didn’t have a building. It was really something how we were able to come back, and how much our customers supported us.”
Martin says Martin Brothers was chosen for The Dealerscope Pride Award in 1978.
“This award is given by managers of major appliances and chosen by their local distributor,” he says.
“In 1986 we decided to divide the televisions and appliances from the hardware,” he adds. “Cousin Max Martin took the hardware and NAPA Auto Parts. Over the years we just kept growing and offering more choices to customers.”
Martin notes that they also kept up with customers’ changing tastes and needs – something they still do.
“We have a wide variety of appliances including GE, Hotpoint, Café, Maytag, Whirlpool, KitchenAid and Speed Queen,” he says. “We have received a lot of positive comments from customers about the different appliances we have. We always stay current. We help people design their kitchens because we care about their kitchen needs and want them to be satisfied with their purchases. We also have wonderful LG televisions. We also have a great staff that can answer any questions customers might have.”
Martin Brothers also offers Phoenix Grills, Big Green Egg grills and more.
“I always enjoy hearing people tell me they are always happy at how many different products we offer in one place,” Martin says. “They know we offer personal, quality service.”
Martin says the business has had many loyal customers over the years.
“We have had many generations of customers,” he says. “It’s been great to have a lot of families with their children and grandchildren coming to see us. We also get a lot of customers from all over the different counties that shop here. We serve customers from Howard, Tipton, Clinton and Cass counties.”
Martin says customers appreciate the delivery, service and installation, as well as the removal of old appliances.
Martin says he enjoys working in a family business.
“I love working here,” he says. “I love working with my son, Derrick, and my grandson, Ian, has talked about working here. It gives me a lot of happiness to know this business has been in our family for so many years, and that we have had such loyal and wonderful customers. It doesn’t get much better than that.”
To find out more about Martin Brothers TV & Appliances, located at 175 East Main Street in Russiaville, call 765-883-5551 or check out martinbrotherstvandappliance.com. Also find them on Facebook.
