“I can’t say that I’ve got any regrets. I think we’ve done a good job over the years. We’re going out at the top of our game, nobody ran us out and everybody had a shot at it.”Doug Boike, owner
CULLMAN – For the past 60 years the corner of First Avenue and Third Street has been home to an appliance store, and before that, a saloon. Soon it will be something completely different, as Luyben & Boike, Inc. will become one of the community’s many fond memories. The longtime and much-loved store is set to close its doors later this year.
“We started out with wringer washers, that’s how long we’ve been here,” Owner Doug Boike chuckled. “We have a generation now that doesn’t even know what a wringer washer is,” he shook his head nostalgically. “We’ve come a long way since those days.”
Luyben & Boike opened in February of 1956 when Doug’s father, George Boike, and George’s business partner, John Luyben left their jobs at Leigeber Sales and decided to go into business for themselves. But just like the old wringer washers, most of us around Cullman this day and age have no idea what Leigeber Sales was.
“Leigeber Sales was an appliance business,” Boike explained. “It was one of our earliest appliance dealers. Prior to the war, people didn’t buy refrigerators or washers or anything like that. But when they started getting electricity here in Cullman, Leigeber Sales would load up a truck with wringer washers and they would drive out to Bremen and other places out in the county. Dad would drive that ole truck really slow up and down the dirt roads. When people saw that truck they knew what it was for,” he grinned, “and if they wanted a washer, they would go out to the truck and buy themselves a washer – right then and there off the truck!”
The Luyben & Boike building has seen its share of Cullman history over the years. Not only that, but it has seen some Alabama history come through its doors as well.
“We’ve had a few governors shop with us in the past,” Doug smiled. “They were Big Jim Folsom and his son, Jim Folsom, Jr. and Guy Hunt. I can’t think of anyone else famous that has bought anything from us,” he said as he tried to think. “I remember when Hank Williams Jr. came to Cullman, and I know where he lived and everything, but I don’t think he ever came in.”
Luyben & Boike is a local, family-owned company that considers their employees to be family as well. The small group of friends has stuck together for many, many years. There’s something to be said about a business that has the ability to keep its employees happy for an extended length of time.
“When the store officially closes, there will be four of us that will be retiring,” Boike admitted. “They are my wife Judy and I, Donald Hunter, my service tech and Dovella Gardner, our bookkeeper.
“Donald has been working here for 52 plus years…. 52 PLUS,” he smiled warmly. “Dovella has been here for 16 years and I’ve been here, full-time for 45 years, although I’ve really been here since day one. My delivery guys have been working for us for a good while, too. Lee Thomas has been here for 15 years and B.J. Widner has been here over 10. Keith Crumbly, our salesman, has been here better than 10 years. We all just kinda grew old together,” he mused.
What’s the Luyben & Boike secret to keeping their loyal employees happy? How did they manage to maintain a successful appliance business going strong despite their big box store competition? Doug didn’t hesitate to explain.
“Just keep it simple and treat people right. It’s not that difficult. People just want a fair shake and somebody that respects them.
“We’ve had our niche in the marketplace and that has allowed us to survive,” he added. “It was a combination of things: new sales, fixing up used items and selling them to supplement the new sales, parts and service. It all just works together.”
Retirement is just around the corner and soon the doors will close forever. While thinking over his decision to close the business his father started long ago, Boike slowly smiled and explained.
“I can’t say that I’ve got any regrets. I think we’ve done a good job over the years. We’re going out at the top of our game, nobody ran us out and everybody had a shot at it.”
The closing date has not yet been set, so customers still have a chance to stop in, say hello and enjoy a bargain to boot. Luyben & Boike has been treating their customers right for 60 years…. they’re not going to stop now!
