History and Overview

Located in the heart of Downtown Dyersburg, General Appliance & Furniture Company, a family owned business, was established 71 years ago in 1947 by Mr. Billy Yates. Mr. Yates used his management skills that he acquired in the US Navy to help him build a successful business.

Yates started his business after World War II, when appliances were scarce. General Appliance was originally named General Appliance & Television Company, to give the public the understanding that both appliances and televisions were available for purchase. The company sold the first television introduced to the area. The 12 inch General Electric televisions were quite popular with Dyer Countians. When General Appliance and Television opened, another local store was doing about 89 percent of the local appliance business. Billy Yates often would sell an appliance and then deliver it. Unlike the large-scale store that we have today, we originally had Mr. Yates and one delivery man on staff. Yates knocked on doors to make sales and often would make deliveries at night.

When the business outgrew its building on West Market Street (now the rear parking lot of the building), the Western Auto Store at 213 West Court Street was remodeled and painted to become the location of General Appliance and television. By the end of 1955, the firm had seven employees.

A successful furniture business at 218 W. Court Street closed in 1959 due to the owner’s retirement. On January 1st, 1960, Yates and Locklear formed General Appliance and Furniture Company and remodeled the former furniture store to house the expansion of the business. The grand opening of the new company was on March 1st, 1960. In the 60s, General Appliance expanded to start selling Sealy and La-Z-Boy furniture. Mr. Yates lived by the motto of the business that he operated since 1947 – “More goods and more service to more people for less money.”

Why You Should Shop With Us

  • We offer free delivery with purchases $500+
  • We deliver in a 60 mile radius of Dyersburg
  • We service what we sale
  • We offer free in home set up
  • We deliver to Missouri almost every day

Come in to General Appliance & Furniture for quality furniture for the living room, dining room, bedroom, entertainment areas, and kids' rooms as well as accessories accent pieces for every room. Shop our wide variety of appliances that will elevate you kitchen. You deserve a place that you call home that reflects your own personal style without breaking the bank. We are with you every step of the way to make shopping less stressful.

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