Leo Warner and his radio and TV store have been an staplemark in Tyrone for as long as anyone can remember. However, on Monday, February 10, 2003, after 46 years of business, Warner shut the doors to his local business for the final time.
“His health is getting really bad,” said wife Jean Warner. “Our son was going to take over, but he passed away. His health is failing so fast that we have to close.”
Leo Warner is suffering from heart problems which is why he is being forced to retire early and live a more cautious lifestyle. His focus, which used to be on repairing anything from a TV to a washer and dryer, is now being switched to caring for himself and his health.
Warner’s father, Regis, started the business back in 1935 in Blandburg. The business moved to Tyrone in 1957.
“It’s been radios, TVs, washers and dryers and all appliances,” said Jean Warner. “It was sales and services both.”
The store was the place in town where generations of customers went for repairs and services. It is hard to imagine the changes that television sets alone went through over the years in which Warner serviced them — from black and white sets to rabbit ear antennas to modern big screen TVs. The same is true for the advancements in VCRs and appliances. But Warner kept up with the changing times.
Over the years, the store had to compete with big businesses coming into the area, which took some customers away. However, Warner’s store always had a loyal following in Tyrone.
“You really can’t compete in Tyrone anymore with the big businesses, the big stores like your Wal-Marts,” said Jean Warner. “He had good faithful customers that bought from him, and he wants to thank all of them for their faithful business through the years.”
Warner also had a video store for approximately 14 years. He would work at the video store during the day and service repairs at night. His wife said that it got to be too much for him because he would be up until one or two in the morning working all of the time, so he sold the videos and focused on the service and repairs.
There was not a particular repair that Warner enjoyed doing best because he enjoyed them all. He went to work everyday and liked what he was doing.
“He enjoyed it all, and it’s going to be a bitter pill for him to not be able to do anything,” said Jean Warner.
In his retirement, Leo Warner is going to go fishing and work around the house. Also, he may be seen with a group of his friends drinking coffee like they have been doing for years.
“I think he’ll enjoy doing that,” said his wife.
Warner’s store will be missed in Tyrone.
“He wishes to all his customers down through the years that’s been faithful in buying from him to thank them,” said Jean Warner.
