Novak & Parker going strong after 95 years

Dan Novak, owner of Novak & Parker Home Appliance in Mount Prospect, admits he's conservative in running the 95-year-old business.

That approach has helped bring the company through tough economic times. Providing quality appliances and service, he said, has helped, too.

The equation must be working because the company has undergone two recent expansions. Novak replaced what he called a dilapidated showroom with a state-of-the art facility at 1016 E. Northwest Highway. And he recently purchased a Palatine repair shop where customers can have their appliances serviced.

At the new showroom, shoppers can find single appliances or capture ideas from 15 "suites" ranging in price from $2,500 to $25,000.

The appliance suites are accessorized with cabinetry and counter tops to give shoppers the feel of how the products would look in their own home.

Because the business is small, the sales and in-house service and installations staffs can consult with each other to better serve the customer.

Novak, a resident of Mount Prospect, is often asked how he can compete with the big retailers.

"As we've seen with the banks and the car companies, the large companies have too many built-in inefficiencies," he said. That's not the case with his business, he says.

It's his job as a retailer to offer the best appliances, he says. The performance is key as well as the ability to easily repair them and find parts.

To better accommodate the repair aspect of the business, in December, Novak purchased A1 Appliance Repair in Palatine.

"This was a natural fit. Service was already under our umbrella," Novak said.

The retailer caters to builders, designers and homeowners. Novak said they see customers looking to replace a washing machine to those wanting to renovate a kitchen. He offers appliances to just about every budget.

"We have washing machines ranging in price from $399 to $1,399," he says.

As sales from builders are down, overall volume at the shop has fallen. But retail sales from homeowners is up.

"There's ups and downs. That's the way it goes," Dan said.

• Kim Mikus' column appears Tuesdays through Fridays. She welcomes comments at kmikus@dailyherald.com or (847) 427-4567.