A Lincoln Electric salesman, possibly Lincoln Electric co-owner, Tony Ricono, shows an interested customer a large Bendix television console. The television is encased in a fine wood cabinet with doors. The firm featured Bendix and Hoffman brands with a wide assortment of 1953 choices. Lincoln Electric had recently moved into a new building on South 38th and Park Avenue; besides selling and servicing appliances, they had also expanded into the furniture and juvenile market. TPL-2290

Lincoln Electric (Tacoma); Televisions--1950-1960; Shopping--Tacoma--1950-1960;

When Lincoln Electric moved into their new building at South 38th and Park Avenue, they expanded into the furniture and juvenile market. The furniture department was managed by Roy Grayson; he had twenty years experience in the home decorating and furnishings field. Lincoln Electric carried many name brand furniture including Broyhill, Thomasville, Rose City Upholstery, and Chromecraft. View of five-piece chrome dining sets with small appliances on them; washers, dryers and kitchen appliances in background. (TNT 12-10-52, p. B-7)

Lincoln Electric (Tacoma); Dining tables;

Fall display of kitchen appliances in window at Lincoln Electric. Lincoln Electric was owned by Tony Ricono. The store carried a complete line of Hotpoint ranges, refrigerators, water heaters, washers, dishwashers, disposals and home freezers. They offered installation and service on all appliances. With their new enlarged location, they also carried juvenile furniture and toys.

Lincoln Electric (Tacoma); Appliance stores--Tacoma--1950-1960; Window displays--Tacoma--1950-1960;

Five of the eight vehicles belonging to Lincoln Electric are parked outside their new home on November 26, 1952. Lincoln Electric was located at 751 South 38th Street. They installed and serviced Hotpoint appliances, wired homes, and carried a line of juvenile furniture and toys in their new and enlarged brick building. The large fleet of three service trucks, two station wagons, two pickups and a delivery truck made it possible for Lincoln Electric to offer prompt assistance to their customers. (TNT 12-10-52, B-8)

Lincoln Electric (Tacoma); Appliance stores--Tacoma; Trucks--Tacoma--1950-1960;

Lincoln Electric's storefront was photographed at night on November 26, 1952. Large neon sign has business' name on it along with a silhouette of Abraham Lincoln. Plate glass windows permit customers and passersby to examine the Hotpoint appliances and children's toys and furniture on display. Owned by Anthony Ricono and his sister, Virginia Ricono, Lincoln Electric moved into their South 38th Street location in 1952, vacating their former building nearby at 37th & Yakima. The $175,000 structure was formally opened to the public on December 11, 1952, with Mayor John H. Anderson cutting the traditional ribbon. Faced in Lanonite cast stone, the building had three floors and totaled 20,000 square feet. (TNT 12-10-52, p. B-1)

Lincoln Electric (Tacoma); Electric signs--Tacoma--1950-1960; Storefronts--Tacoma;

Lincoln Electric moved into new surroundings in late 1952. They specialized in Hotpoint appliances and home wiring, but also carried a large selection of children's toys and furniture. View of newly added juvenile department of Lincoln Electric; variety of cribs and playpens, strollers and highchairs are prominently displayed. Colorful rugs with circus and cowboy motifs could be purchased to brighten up a child's bedroom. Esther Bannon was the manager of the toys and juvenile department. (TNT 12-10-52, B-8)

Lincoln Electric (Tacoma); Merchandise displays--Tacoma--1950-1960; Children's furniture; Strollers (Baby carriages)--Tacoma; Rugs;

Tony Ricono, born Antonio L. Riconoscuito, opened his new Lincoln Electric store at 751-55 South 38th Street in December of 1952. Mr. Ricono became an electrical contractor shortly after graduating from Lincoln High School, and started the Lincoln Electric Company in the 1940s. By 1950 he had expanded into retail furniture and appliances. As an electrician, Mr. Ricono made sure that his new building was fully wired. The building's many features included: $15,000 worth of lighting fixtures; 57 miles of electric wiring; an inter-com system; a music and broadcasting hook-up with 24 speakers; and over 500 electrical outlets to permit the most advantageous display of lamps and furniture. The stores name was changed to "Ricono's" in 1956. Antonio Riconoscuito died in August of 1996 at the age of 76. (Photograph ordered by Clark Richardson Advertising Agency.)

Lincoln Electric (Tacoma); Electric signs--Tacoma--1950-1960; Storefronts--Tacoma; Facades--Tacoma--1950-1960;

The interior of Lincoln Electric's showroom features lines of Hotpoint appliances. Electric stoves are seen in the center. Televisions and refrigerators are seen on the left while hot water heaters dominate the display on the right.

Lincoln Electric (Tacoma); Appliance stores--Tacoma;

Interior of showroom. Front window with Lincoln Electric truck outside. Electric ranges, refrigerators, televisions inside.

Lincoln Electric (Tacoma); Appliance stores--Tacoma--1950-1960; Stoves--Tacoma; Refrigerators; Televisions; Trucks--Tacoma--1950-1960;

The living room of the apartment over the storefront for Lincoln Electric. A sofa and day bed face each other across the room. A coffee table, footstool, small table with a radio, desk, dresser, and two side chairs complete the furnishings. Floral draperies are closed over the front windows. A counter or table can be seen in the right foreground.

Lincoln Electric (Tacoma); Appliance stores--Tacoma; Living rooms--Tacoma--1950-1960;

The interior of Lincoln Electric's storeroom shows lines of Hotpoint appliances in March of 1952. Wringer washers can be seen in the left corner while stoves and chest freezers complete the line on the left. Refrigerators and hot water heaters can be seen on the right. Anthony L. Ricono was president of the company while George T. Gagliardi was vice president and Virginia M. Ricono served as secretary-treasurer.

Lincoln Electric (Tacoma); Appliance stores--Tacoma--1950-1960;

Lincoln Electric's fleet of delivery trucks is lined up outside the company's facilities. The drivers stand by the trucks. The store was built in 1952 by Tony Ricono. They carried a complete line of Hotpoint ranges, refrigerators, water heaters, washers, dishwashers, kitchen cabinets, disposals, home freezers and they handled home wiring, installation and service for all appliances. They also carried juvenile furniture and toys.

Lincoln Electric (Tacoma); Appliance stores--Tacoma; Trucks--Tacoma--1950-1960;