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About Us
 Ralph and Evelyn Smothers opened Ralph’s Appliances
to the residents of Tiffin and the surrounding area in 1950,
originally selling washers and dryers, and then, over the years,
adding refrigerators, ranges, dishwashers, and microwaves. Ralph
and Evelyn continued to build a very successful business, and, in
1985, they were joined by their son, Ralph II. Soon after, the
business moved from 45 N. Washington St. to its current location at
33 N. Washington St. In 1991, Ralph II added kitchen design
services and cabinetry to the business.
Ralph II met his
wife Julie while on a ski trip, and they were married in 1994.
Julie grew up in London,
Ontario,
Canada, and made her living in sales for an imported wines
distributor. With Julie’s passion for cooking and Ralph’s passion
for kitchen design, it was only a matter of time before the idea of
combining the two came to fruition.
 The second Ralph’s
Appliances opened in Fremont in May of 1995. Here, a beautiful,
fully functional kitchen designed by Ralph was installed and served
as the beginning of the current concept. Julie was managing the
store and saw the opportunity of doing not only cooking classes, but
of bringing in better quality kitchenwares. The community responded
with overwhelming support! For the next three years, Julie
continued to add new kitchenware lines and fill cooking classes.
Ralph and Julie’s
first son, Will, was born in April, 1998. Soon, Will was joined by
his brother Sean, born in May, 2001, and their sister, Lucy, born in
November, 2002. It became clear
that the “Joy of Living” had to be
moved to their hometown of Tiffin if the concept were to continue to
thrive. The Tiffin store was
 expanded and on October 8, 2003,
Ralph’s Joy of Living opened with yet another new category – wine!
It was thought that
wine would “complete” the Joy of Living concept, however new gourmet
foods, fresh roasted coffee flavors, hand crafted beers, and
ready-to-bake breads are added on an on-going basis. HDTVs, home
theater systems and cigars have been added! Ralph’s Joy of Living
keeps growing and has something new and exciting every single month.
Ralph’s Joy of
Living. . .come experience the joy for yourself. |
