About Friedmans Appliance Center
Friedmans Appliance Center offers a complete selection of the latest major kitchen appliances
and has been the place to shop in the Southern California area since 1984. Friedmans believes
in providing value as well as unparalleled customer service before, during and after the sale.
The Friedmans concept first began in 1975 when Arthur Friedman opened Friedmans Microwave Ovens
in Oakland, California. Microwave cooking was new and the store not only sold microwave ovens but
offered classes to teach customers how to use them. (The Oakland store still sells only microwave
ovens and is still owned by Art and Merle Friedman). Then in 1976 the first franchise store opened
in Pleasant Hill, California and the franchise eventually grew to over 120 stores nationwide. Art
Friedmans’ philosophy focused on service to the customer and the community, trained sales personnel
and a friendly environment in which to shop.
In 1980 Bob Atkins opened a Friedmans store in Pasadena, California and brought Art’s philosophy to
appliance sales in Southern California. After opening five more locations from Oxnard to Irvine, Bob
concentrated his efforts in Long Beach in 1984. In 1994 he expanded the Long Beach location into a
full line appliance store.
In 2004 Bob and his wife Pat began construction of their own 26,200 sq. ft. building which tripled
the prior showroom floor space. Bob and Pat continued to honor the Friedmans philosophy and they
designed their beautiful new store for the customer's convenience and shopping enjoyment.