Pampa’s hometown appliance store, Western Auto, located at 2225 Perryton Parkway, Suite 1, has recently undergone new ownership, with the previous owners, Barbara and Vance Ketcherside passing along the torch to Todd and Jackie Harrison.
The well-deserved retirement of Barbara and Vance marks a new beginning for both the Ketchersides and Harrisons, but it also marks a continuation of a beloved local business that is very much needed in the Pampa community.
Instead of having to travel out of the way for that new washer, dryer, or fridge, Western Auto Appliance keeps your tires from hitting the highway and allows you to not only stay close to home, but to shop and support local as well-something the previous and new owners keep at the forefront of their mission.
“We loved it and we loved our customers,” Barbara said. “That’s why we’ve hung in there as long as we did, and we were trying to wait for someone who could take over and not close this store. We definitely need an appliance store here in Pampa.”
“We came across this opportunity, and we figured we’d come here and continue it,” said Jackie. “We strive to shop local. We would rather shop right here rather than go to Home Depot or something like. This is home.”
While Todd and Jackie work to maintain the tradition that Western Auto has upheld for the last few decades, Barbara and Vance plan to try to relax in their retirement as much as they can.
“I hope I get to relax,” Barbara smiled. “My husband hasn’t been doing very well, so I’m hoping to be able to help him more than I had been. But I don’t really know what I’m going to do. I’ve worked so many years, so it’s going to be very different. I told Jackie that I would probably be down here to check on things, and she said, ‘just come on down, you can help!’”
When asked if she had any parting words regarding their years of service to the Pampa community, Barbara reflects on the customers and how much they’ve meant to her, especially during the hard times.
“We just appreciate every one of our customers. They were all just so good to us. I went through breast cancer about 10 years ago and customers would come in and ask about me and were just so very nice. I was able to work and go through the treatments, and everyone was just really good to me.”
So the next time you’re in the market for a new appliance, stop by Western Auto Monday through Friday from 9:30 AM to 6 PM and Saturday from 9:30 AM to 1 PM.
Congratulations to Barbara and Vance on your retirement, and the best of luck to Todd and Jackie on their new endeavor!
