By allowing ads to appear on this site, you support the local businesses who, in turn, support great journalism.
MARKING 70 YEARS
Center Appliance marking milestone
appliance 70 years
Center Appliance in Manteca will be celebrating its 70th anniversary in business on Wednesday, Aug. 7. Those at the family-owned business at 2020 Crestwood – included are Frank Fiore Jr., Victor Fiore, Emmy Esteves and Cathy Hastings – display the 65-inch TV, which Center Appliance donated to the California Mustang Association to help raise money for the American Cancer Society.

For 70 years, Center Appliance has been a fixture in the community.

The local business featuring such brands as GE Appliances, Amana, KitchenAid, Maytag and Whirlpool will celebrate that milestone on Wednesday, Aug. 7, by hosting the Manteca Chamber of Commerce’s Coffees & Mixers event, beginning at 8 a.m.

During that time, Center Appliance at 2020 Crestwood Ave. will also partner with the California Mustang Association by hosting a mini car show from 8 to 11 a.m.

The public is invited to this special event consisting of raffle prizes and anniversary cake.

Center Appliance is still a family-owned business with two locations – the other one is at 205 E. 11th St., Tracy – offering experience personalized one-on-one service not available from the big box stores.

The business was founded in August 1949 by Frank Fiore in downtown Manteca along Center Street.

“That’s where we got our name,” said Victor Fiore on Wednesday.

He along with his siblings, Frank Jr., Emmy Esteves, and Cathy Hastings, currently handle the family business.

This is the third location in Manteca for Center Appliance.

The original business moved out of downtown to North Main Street near Lathrop Road in 1979.

“We came to this location (in 2012) because of the freeway,” said Victor Fiore, referencing the construction of the Highway 99 interchange project at Lathrop Road.

 He added: “It’s been very good for us at this location. We’re the only business here.”

That’s a far cry from the early days when Center Appliance was surrounded by several competitors – Ed’s TV, Ace Hardware, Honey’s Home Appliance and Western Auto – within a few blocks of downtown, Victor Fiore recalled.

Center Appliance will be giving back to the community as another part of its 70th anniversary celebration, with donations going to Hope Family Shelter, Manteca Sunrise Kiwanis and Second Harvest Food Bank.

The business, in addition, is donating a 65-inch UHD TV to the California Mustang Association which, in turn, will include that to its drawing to raise money for the American Cancer Society. Tickets can be purchased at Center Appliance.

The California Mustang Association, meanwhile, is gearing up for its fourth annual American Cancer Society Car Show on Saturday, Oct. 5, at the Ford Parts Distribution Center, 1260 Phoenix Dr., Manteca, from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.

For more information on Center Appliance’s 70th anniversary event, call 209.823.7681.