Sales rep Keith Crumbley, left, works the phone while Luyben & Boike owner Doug Boike looks on. Boike will close the appliance store later this year, ending a run of six decades serving Cullman customers.

Luyben & Boike home appliances and service has continually occupied one of the most visible corners of Cullman’s historic downtown for more than 60 years. 

It is, in fact, one of the businesses that helped “historic” downtown Cullman get that way.

But later this year, its run as one of the city’s longest-lasting family businesses will come to a close.

Owner Doug Boike, who from childhood has known no other life than one that revolves around the store that bears his family name, will soon begin scaling back the store’s operations in anticipation of closing for good before the end of 2016.

It’s an emotional decision — even for the sharp-eyed and taciturn Boike.

“It just weighs on you pretty heavily,” he admitted. “I’ve struggled with this for months — I’ll be the first to admit that. I’m very reluctant. But I understand that time moves on, and I’ve got other employees I have to think about. We’ve definitely had a good run here.”

Luyben (pronounced “LIE-ben”) & Boike opened in February of 1956. Boike, now 72, was 12 when his father, George Boike, enlisted his help at the store on weekends. Back then, the store was a partnership between the elder Boike and John Luyben. Doug spent his teenage years helping out at the store on weekends, eventually stepping into his father’s role. He and his wife, Judy, have owned the store outright for the past 15 years.

“When it started, it was a partnership between my dad, George, and John Luyben. Both of them came here from Leigeber Sales, which was down near the courthouse,” he said. 

“Leigeber Sales, in those days, was like a Sears and Roebuck store. They didn’t just sell appliances — they sold Chevrolets. I was about 12 or 13 when I started work here. Back then, they dealt in a lot of used stuff. People didn’t have money to buy anything much back then, and daddy would bring me up here on the weekends and have me clean up old appliances that we would sell.”

From that point on, Luyben & Boike grew where it was planted, anchoring the corner of 1st Avenue and Third Street SE. Boike said it’s been one of life’s pleasures to watch Cullman grow up around his family’s store. Over 60 years, he’s seen a lot of changes — both in Cullman, and in the wider world.

“The community’s grown, but it’s been a slow growth — a good growth,” he said. “Longevity in our industry has changed a lot, and it’s not what it used to be. When I first started here, we were selling wringer washers. We used to roll them out onto the front sidewalk, right here, every day. That’s how you advertised back then. Looking back, it’s incredible what’s changed over 60 years.”

Sixty years in continuous operation, in the same location, under the same family ownership, is “quite a feat in the business world,” as Boike puts it. He’s not sure there’s a secret formula for that kind of longevity. But he has some ideas about what he might have gotten right.

“The goal of most small business owners is to grow your business, help make your customers happy and to make some money along the way. We’ve had our share of all those things over the years, and I’ve enjoyed them all. But after 60 years, one recognizes that there has to be an end,” he said. 

“Did we do anything different from other companies? I really don’t know. I do know that we worked hard, put in lots of hours and tried to help customers who had trouble with their appliances. We didn’t make everyone happy, but I fell that we did our best in trying.”

To honor his commitment to customers, scaling back operations is a process that will take some time. Boike doesn’t have a firm “close” date, but he’s already taken the first steps.

“In the coming months, we’ll make the changes that will be necessary,” Boike explained. “The end of February will bring to a close our in-home warranty service. Our service agreements with our major suppliers will end, and after that date, we will do all that we can to direct people to the services they need. Out-of-warranty service will continue for a period of time. In the weeks and months ahead, I will keep our customers informed of any other changes that need to be addressed.” 

Luyben & Boike’s longevity isn’t just a function of stable ownership. Boike credits his small, close-knit group of loyal employees with much of his store’s success. Some of them have been there a long time — even longer than Boike himself.

“I want to thank our employees who have helped us to be successful over the years: Lee Thomas and B.J. Widner, our delivery guys, who have hauled and lifted more appliances than you can dream about,” he said. “Dovella Gardner, our book keeper, who who has done a wonderful job over the years keeping our paper mistakes to a minimum. Keith Crumbley — a great salesman and a great friend. I’m glad I got to know him over the years. My wife, Judy, who has been a great companion over the years, and who has always been there with friendly advice. And finally, Donald Hunter, my service tech, who has kept things running for better than 52 years — incredible. I want him to know that I deeply appreciate his work, and I know that his service will be missed.”

When the store closes and the luxury of abundant free time confronts Boike — for the first time in his adult life — he plans to fish. And he also plans to try to do some good. “I’m going to piddle a little more. I’ll do a little more fishing. That’s the only hobby I’ve got,” he said. “I may try to get into some volunteer work, too.

“I feel that we have been successful at what we did, and we have the folks in Cullman, and some good employees, to thank for that. We’ve made a lot of friends over the years. Many are long gone now. But we helped their children and, now, their grandchildren. I thank the people of Cullman. I hope we have been good stewards of their trust over the years, and I hope to see many of you all in the future.”