The owners of one of Asheville’s longest-standing local businesses, Ballard’s Appliance Company, announced Sunday that they were selling everything in the store in coming months and retiring.
In a full-page ad of Sunday’s Asheville Citizen-Times, Rex and Irene Ballard delivered a message to loyal customers.
I have had the honor of serving and supplying the good people of WNC with all their appliance needs for 56 years. However, I have now turned 80 years old and I feel it is time to retire from the appliance business and spend more time with my wife and daughter.
Over the next few months, we will be liquidating everything in the store. All appliances will be offered at unheard of prices. Even the cabinet displays are for sale. … I will then sell or lease my beautiful building and the warehouse.
Long before there were big-box retailers like Lowe’s and Home Depot selling fridges and stoves or washers and dryers, Ballard’s was the place to go. There was friendly service and great follow-up. Ballard’s location on Hendersonville Road is also prime, and I wouldn’t be surprised to see that sell for a pretty penny.
Good luck to the Ballards. They’ll be missed.