SPE CI AL ADVE R T I SI N G FE AT U R E
Sons Lou Ruffino III, Ronnie Ruffino and Robert Ruffino have joined Louis Jr. and Josie at the family business on Florida Boulevard.
[ SHERWOOD TELEVISIONS AND APPLIANCES ]
FAMILY-OWNED AND OPERATED RETAIL ELECTRONICS AND APPLIANCE STORE STILL GROWING STRONG AFTER 48 YEARS LOUIS S. RUFFINO JR. started in the electronics business in 1969, when an opportunity to own a retail electronics store was presented to him by the Magnavox company. He opened the first store on Florida Boulevard selling Magnavox televisions and stereos in a variety of wooden console cabinets. While competition from other family-owned businesses has mostly disappeared over the years, Sherwood Televisions and Appliances has survived for more than four decades by adapting and expanding its offerings to meet changing customer needs. “We plan on being here a long, long time as a family business,” Ruffino says. “We have knowledge of merchandise, tell the facts, never mislead people, offer competitive prices and practice customer service, above and beyond.” Louis and wife Josie opened Sherwood Magnavox Home Entertainment Center as franchise owners in the Baton Rouge area who could not only sell the Magnavox products, but also set them up and explain how they worked to customers. Over time, the store began offering major home appliances to add to their product mix. In the early 1990s they changed their name to Sherwood Televisions & Appliances. The name change reflected key changes in the business, such as expanding appliance product lines, deleting the Magnavox electronics line from their product
offering, and taking on the popular (at the time) RCA, Sony, LG and Samsung electronics lines. At one time, the Ruffinos owned four stores: the original store on Florida Boulevard, a store at Bon Marche Mall, a store at North Park Mall and one at Cortana Mall. The business struggled during tough economic conditions in the early 1980s, and all stores except the original store were closed, Louis says. Today, the business operates just a few miles from its original location, at 11756 Florida Blvd. approximately one block east of Sherwood Forest Boulevard. The couple’s sons, Lou Ruffino III, Ronnie Ruffino and Robert
Ruffino, are involved in running the business. The store currently offers popular television brands, such as Samsung, LG and Philips, along with appliance brands Whirlpool, Maytag, GE, Frigidaire, KitchenAid, Samsung, Hot Point and Crosley. “We have access to several other brands in both electronics and appliances through our special ordering program,” Robert adds. The service department employs five technicians offering in-home repair on major appliances and electronics. The in-shop service department offers customers free estimates within two to three business days on televisions that
AT A GLANCE
are brought in. In the back of the property, the family owns Sherwood Mini Storage, which encompasses approximately 500 various-sized mini-storage units, including some that are climate controlled, as well as several 40- and 45-foot storage facilities for boats and motorhomes. “We’re not slowing down at all,” Louis says. The father-and-sons team notes that they have seen an increase in business from people rebuilding after the 2016 Baton Rouge area flood, with most of their current business from appliance sales and service. The business recently enlarged its warehouse facility and its service room department. Robert says, “Sherwood Televisions and Appliances will continue to grow and expand in products and facilities to keep up with growing customer demand. We have to keep up with current trends while still maintaining our high level of customer service.” “There was a time everybody thought the Internet was going to mean the ruination of retail,” Robert adds. “But that simply has not been the case for us. The Internet has exposed new customers to us and our product lines. Customers also love our personalized selling experience, which they cannot find anywhere else. This is why I think Sherwood Televisions and Appliances will be around for many years to come.”
PRIMARY PRODUCT/SERVICE: Electronics/appliance sales and service • TOP EXECUTIVE: Louis S. Ruffino, Jr. • NO. OF EMPLOYEES: 12 YEAR FOUNDED: 1969 • PHONE: 225.275.6900 • WEBSITE: sherwoodtvandappliances.com • EMAIL: sales@sherwood-tv.com FACEBOOK: facebook.com/SherwoodTelevisionsAppliances/
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