“We’ve almost been here as long as the Mission,” jokes Howard Roach, founder of Howard’s TV & Appliance Super Stores.

Well almost. This year, Howard’s will mark its 68th year at 300 E. Valley Blvd. in San Gabriel.

To celebrate, the store – now one of 10 locations – will offer savings of up to 30 percent on name-brand appliances and zero interest for 18 months on purchases of at least $499.

“Howard’s is the rock of San Gabriel,” quipped Howard’s Chief Executive Officer Bill Pleasant. “His beginnings were modest, a 750-square-foot radio repair shop on the corner of Valley and Palm. He opened his doors in 1946. Later he bought out a neighbor’s lease. And the guy just kept building and building. By 1967, he had acquired the entire block.”

To fill all of that space, Howard’s merchandise mix would evolve and expand. From radio repair moved into to selling TVs, then the newest consumer innovation of the day. Later he added stereo systems and accessories. Today Howard’s is one of Southern California’s leading distributors of major appliances and flat screen TVs. Throughout its history,

Howard’s has also been a solid contributor to the local San Gabriel community.

“Howard’s TV & Appliance started as a repair shop out of a back room many years ago at Jeff’s Sporting Goods, another great San Gabriel business,” said San Gabriel Mayor John Harrington. “Howard’s shows what hard work and opportunity create when you add a talent for service. San Gabriel is proud to be the birthplace of such a great company.”