Family-owned Appliance Depot continues to thrive while gigantic big-box retailers continue to pop up across Twin Cities, family owned Appliance Depot in Inver Grove Heights has continued to expand its customer base thanks to expanding services and unrivaled customer service.

Ronald Zeien, one of Appliance Depot's owners, explains the company was founded by his father in 1955 and now he and three of his siblings are in charge of the business. "The next generation is working here now too," Zeien notes. "It really is a true family business. Our dad started it and we run it."

The store, which is currently located at 8980 Jefferson Trail W. (Minnesota Highway 149) in Inver Grove Heights, has been open since 1978.

In addition to Appliance Depot the business also includes J.R.'s Appliance Disposal, one of the largest home appliance and electronics recyclers in Minnesota. "We started that in 1988 when the Environmental Protection Agency really began its campaign to stop household items from ending up in traditional landfills," Zeien says. "As recycling has become more and more common the business has just really grown for us. It's been exciting to watch it happen and be part of it."

Customers can drop off items at the recycling center, which is located at 8980 Jefferson Tr. (also known as Highway 149) in Inver Grove Heights, or, if need be, J.R.'s offers pickup throughout the Twin Cities metro area.

Sales representative Mike Larson helps operate the recycling center. "We do our best to take as much as possible," Larson says. "We currently take appliances, electronics, light bulbs, batteries and many other items. We've been getting a lot of televisions and computers. In the summer we get a lot of air conditioners and in the winter we get a lot of furnaces." There are small service fees for each item, but special pricing is available for large amounts of items.

"The recycling of household items has really gone up with public education," Larson says. "People can drop off their items here six days per week or we can come get it."

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