Judd & Black: From 19th Century Electric Company to Today’s Modern Appliance Store

Celebrate Judd & Black's grand opening celebrations from October 7 through the 19.
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Celebrate Judd & Black's grand opening celebrations  from October 7 through the 19.
Celebrate Judd & Black’s grand opening celebrations from October 7 through the 19th

Judd & Black started as an Everett electric company in 1940.

Wayne Judd and Don Black owned Judd & Black Electric – but their longtime employee Bob Long, Sr., took an interest in the then-newfangled electric washers that were being introduced in the ’50s.

As Long, Sr., made customer calls doing electric work, he shared what the electric washer could do – and pretty soon, Judd & Black Electric became solely an appliance company.

“Eventually, they sold off the electric department and just stayed with the appliances,” says Rachael Sylte, Judd & Black marketing and promotions specialist. “Bob Long, Sr., purchased the business in 1976.”

Long retired in 1987 and sold the business to his sons William Long and Bob Long, Jr. The business has remained in the family, owned by Bob Long Jr.’s sons Bob Long III and Cory Long, since 2005.

“And Bob Long’s son, who is in his early 20s and going to school, is already working for the company,” Sylte says with a laugh. “The fourth generation is already being trained up.”

Company growth
With six Western Washington locations, Judd & Black has grown over the years, widening its circle of offering expert local service to its communities.

After many years just in Everett, the first expansion came with a new store in Lynnwood, and then Marysville. “We also have a service and liquidation center across the street from our Everett Showroom,” Sylte explains.

In 2011, Judd & Black moved into Mount Vernon, as Anderson Appliance was going out of business.

“They called us and asked if we wanted to come into their building,” Sylte says. “We jumped at that opportunity, because it’s a great market up here and a perfect stepping stone to where we wanted to go, moving north.”

Judd & Black has been providing Northwest Washington residents with quality appliances since the 1940s.
Judd & Black has been providing Northwest Washington residents with quality appliances since the 1940s.

The idea of opening a Bellingham store was on Judd & Black’s radar, but they weren’t planning to come into Whatcom County as soon as they did.

In 2013, longtime Lehmann’s Appliance owner Terry Lehmann, ready to transition his business, approached Judd & Black.

“He invited us up and we thought, well, this is a little bit sooner than we’d hoped, but it’s a great opportunity we can’t pass up.”

Sylte is quick to rave about Lehmann and his family – one of his daughters remains working at the Bellingham store. “He’s so great,” she says, smiling. She expects Lehmann to appear at the Bellingham store’s grand opening events.

Judd & Black offerings: Appliances, grills, service and repair
Judd & Black’s main focus is appliances.

“We have over 25 brands,” says Sylte, “with everything from your basic, economy models to your high-end Sub-Zero and Wolf products. Whatever your needs are, we can find you what you need.”

Judd & Black is a family-owned store with deep ties to each of the communities in which it has stores – and the company is sizeable and specialized enough to offer a huge selection of inventory.

“It’s the best of both worlds,” says Sylte.

Judd & Black carries grills as well as home appliances, and as a Weber Alliance dealer has the largest display of Weber products in Whatcom County. “We can get different models and parts that you can’t get at all dealers,” says Sylte.

The company is also a self-servicer, and delivers and installs everything it sells.

Looking for the perfect addition to your home? Judd & Black can find what you're looking for.
Looking for the perfect addition to your home? Judd & Black can find what you’re looking for.

“Basically, every aspect from start to finish, we can help you out,’ says Sylte. “If you want to do it yourself, you can come and get a part – but of course we also have union, factory-trained technicians that will come to your home.”

Judd & Black has its eye on winning over big box store customers – and for good reason. “We offer far and above what they can do,” says Sylte.

With trained professionals who know what they’re talking about, Judd & Black can promise that a customer isn’t going to have a lumber guy helping them pick out an appliance.

Another bonus that comes with shopping at Judd & Black over a big box store is available selection. “We have 3,000 products in stock throughout all of our stores,” says Sylte, “so we can get it to you faster.”

And the bottom line, according to Sylte, is that Judd & Black simply offers a fantastic level of service.

There’s one other reason Judd & Black customers who like to shop locally quickly become fans. “You can tell that it’s a family-owned company,” Sylte says. “There’s a reason we close at 5:30 p.m. and on holidays, so employees can be with their families. They really are a great company; they practice what they preach.”

Judd & Black was recently voted “Best Appliance Store” in Bellingham Alive’s “Best of the Northwest” poll, marking three prestigious recognitions in three different counties.

“We’re very excited and honored to receive the award after only being in Bellingham for a year,” says Sylte. “This means we now have “best of” awards in Snohomish, Skagit, and Whatcom Counties this year.”

Stop by Judd & Black's Bellingham location on Saturday, Oct. 11, and enjoy complimentary snacks, giveaways and more.
Stop by Judd & Black’s Bellingham location on Saturday, Oct. 11, and enjoy complimentary snacks, giveaways and more.

Grand opening celebrations
Judd & Black opened its Bellingham doors on October 1, 2013. Upcoming grand opening events have waited until this, the following October, as the showroom underwent a remodel.

“We expanded the showroom floor to include more kitchen vignettes,” says Sylte. “We added Jenn-Air, Bosch Benchmark, Thermador, Frigidaire Gallery and KitchenAid vignettes.”

And an existing showroom kitchen now features Sub-Zero and Wolf appliances, which are all live, allowing cooking demonstrations in the space. “It’s a beautiful kitchen,” Sylte says.

Grand opening celebrations will include four different radio events from October 7 through the 19th.

KISM will be in the store from 4:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m. on Friday, October 10, with free hot dogs and pop.

“The big day is going to be Saturday, October 11,” says Sylte. There will be Johnny’s Donuts in the morning. Judd & Black will have hourly giveaways from 10:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., with KAFE joining in with their own giveaways, entertainment, as well as hot dogs and pop from 11:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m.

“Later that day, a representative from SubZero and Wolf will prepare food in that beautiful new kitchen of theirs,” Sylte says.

KISM returns to Judd & Black on Thursday, October 16 from 3:30 p.m. to 6:00 p.m., and KAFE on Friday, October 17, KAFE from 3:30 p.m. to 6:00 p.m. with entertainment, hot dogs and pop.

Judd & Black
2001 James Street
Bellingham WA 98225
360-733-7722

2520 Cedardale Road
Mount Vernon WA 98274
360-336-6515
juddblack.com

Visit this website page for details on other regional Judd & Black locations.

 

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