Baillio's store sold to Denver chain

| The New Mexican

5/10/2008 - 5/10/08

Expect some better deals but no major changes from the sale last month of Baillio's appliance and electronics store to Denver-based Appliance World.

That's the word from Jack Baillio Jr., the son of Jack Baillio Sr., who is retiring as president of the company founded by his father in 1966.

Baillio Jr. said two improvements are planned. One of them will have the store offering 30 to 40 percent discounts on slightly damaged appliances. It will display the dinged models next to new ones, and customers will have a choice. "If they don't care that there's a little dent on the side, they can save a lot of money," Baillio said.

The Baillio's stores in Albuquerque and Santa Fe also will begin carrying top-of-the-line kitchen appliances from GE, including Monogram, Profile and Café, a series with the look and feel of a modern restaurant kitchen. Baillio said these are "products we've needed to compete with the big guys." The stores will offer the new lines at attractive prices, he said, adding: "This will be a big benefit to customers. They are not going to find these prices anywhere else."

The New Mexico company, which has 187 employees, reported revenues last year of $37 million.

Baillio said the family began talking about his father's retirement about a year-and-a-half ago and started considering a merger with another company. "These guys were interested," he said.

Appliance World, founded in June 2006, is a Colorado-owned retailer with four stores in the Denver area.

Tony Jennings of Appliance World will succeed Baillio Sr. as president. Baillio's son-in-law, Rob Kujath, will continue as vice president. Several other family members will continue to work for Baillio's, including Jack Baillio Jr., who is a main buyer for the store.

Baillio Jr. said that after his father retires, he plans to become more involved in a missionary program run by his son-in-law. "My dad has a heart for that," he said.