Mrs. G TV and Appliance owner and CEO Debbie Schaeffer recently celebrated the Grand Opening of her brand new showroom. She is a third generation owner of this local business, and this makes the store’s fourth location in 80 years. The fact that it can flourish in this age of big box stores and internet sales is a testament to Schaeffer’s ability to understand industry trends, but most importantly, her customers.
Abe and Beatrice Greenberg opened New Jersey Plumbing in Trenton back in 1935. Being astute business owners, they soon transitioned into becoming appliance dealers. Beatrice was known as Mrs. G and had become the face of the store due to being in the showroom with her customers, so by the 1950s they renamed their business Mrs. G TV & Appliances using her face as the logo.
Debbie Schaeffer was persuaded by her grandmother, Mrs. G, to run the business in 2000 that was then in its third location at the corner of Bakers Basin Road and Route 1. She brought in many fresh ideas, including a renovation in which she created many kitchen vignettes of luxury brands, the Sub-Zero Wolf Living Kitchen in the rear of the showroom, outdoor kitchens and entertainments spaces, and a sleep center, offering mattresses.
Perhaps it’s due to her civil engineering degree, but Debbie had a larger vision, and that was to update the exterior. But instead of simply re-facing the facade of the building, she was bold enough to construct a new facility on the northbound side of Route 1 at East Darrah Lane to her specifications. Another courageous move was updating the logo to a modern sketch of her face. These were both wise decisions in order for Mrs. G TV and Appliances to stay relevant.
The new Mrs. G’s showroom continues to offer name brands that you see in big box stores, but it is unique because of its extensive luxury offerings, such as Bosch, Electrolux, Fisher & Paykel, GE Monogram, Jenn-Air, Miele, Sub-Zero, Thermador, Viking, and Wolf. They are displayed in gorgeous vignettes, of which eight are LIVE, essentially allowing you to test out your dream kitchen. They include many innovative products that would make home cooks and foodies salivate.
There are a number of live state-of-the-art products in the showroom. The Urban Cultivator on view is a hydroponic system that allows you to grow organic herbs and microgreens in your kitchen under controlled settings for temperature, lighting, air circulation, and watering in an under-the-cabinet appliance. The working Wood Stone hearth oven is the perfect in-home artisan pizza oven, and you can ask for a demo. Form follows function when it comes to the Jenn-Air Accolate Downdraft Ventilation System that is beautifully curved and comes with a remote control, and you will love watching it in action. These are just three examples of innovative products that are functional at Mrs. Gs.
The Living Kitchen is extensive and filled with working appliances. Having a plethora of live appliances, besides just refrigerators, is a stand out service that the showroom offers. They not only serve as a visual aid for customers, but also allow cooking demonstrations from their Appliance Chef Nirit Yadin. Additionally, they serve as a venue for community and professional events.
Mrs. G TV & Appliance Store has competitive pricing, plus matches prices of brick and mortar establishments. So, if you see a product in Lowes or Home Depot, they can compete dollar for dollar. Also, you are buying from a local business, that pays taxes locally, shops locally, and gives back to the community. Debbie Schaeffer and Mrs. G’s have been bestowed with numerous awards for being an outstanding small business and a pillar to the community.
The Greenbergs were smart and knew when and how to expand, but Schaeffer is brilliant because she also has the ability to be innovative in the time of more aggressive competition, understands the importance of giving back the community, and can anticipate the needs of her customers. Debbie Schaeffer has truly brought the business into the 21st century with the exception of one thing. She remains in the front of the showroom to greet customers just as her grandmother starting doing 77 years ago.