Identity elements
Reference code
Name and location of repository
Level of description
Item
Title
A101734-1
Date(s)
- 1956-09-27 (Creation)
Extent
Name of creator
Content and structure elements
Scope and content
Ricono's Furniture & Appliances at the corner of Park and 38th. Tony Ricono and his sister Virginia opened this Lincoln district store in 1952 as Lincoln Electric. Ricono's sister served as business manager and comptroller in exchange for a 20 % interest in the business. In 1956, the Lincoln Electric sign has been removed and a new neon sign proudly proclaims the store as Ricono's. A Grand Opening was held to celebrate the name change and the opening of Ricono's "Bargain Annex" less than a block away. The store sold furniture, floor coverings, televisions and appliances. The store had a rough rock surface and lots of display windows to show off the latest furniture designs. The three story structure was built in 1952 at 38th and So. Park at a cost of $165, 000. It had 20,000 square feet of display space. Thirty six year old owner Tony Ricono was a local Tacoma boy who left his job as an electrical foreman with one of Tacoma's shipyards to open Lincoln Electric with a $100 loan from his parents. His first store at 761 So. 38th had 1500 square feet. He relocated as his business grew to 767 So. 38th, 3737 So. Yakima and finally to this current location. Tony Ricono, born as Antonio L. Riconosuito the son of Italian immigrants Caroline & George, died August 13, 1996 at the age of 76. (TNT 10/3/1956, pg. B-1- B-3)
Ricono's Furniture & Appliances (Tacoma); Furniture stores--Tacoma--1950-1960; Appliance stores--Tacoma--1950-1960;