Abt Electronics is one of largest independent retailers in the United States of consumer electronics, major appliances and furniture. Abt operates at a single location in Glenview, Illinois, on 37-acres of land, and (since 1997) through an online retail site. The store is a family-owned business that has served the Chicago market since 1936.

History

Abt Electronics began in 1936 when Jewel Abt gave $800 to her husband David to start a business. The firm was originally named Abt Radio because it only sold small electronics in its early days. The original location was a small storefront in the Logan Square area of Chicago. Abt Electronics expanded over the years to employ 1100 employees on a 65,000 square feet sales floor in Glenview, a suburb of Chicago.

In October 2008, David and Jewel Abt will be inducted into the Consumer Electronics Hall of Fame.

Environmental practices

In 2006 the company built a recycling center which collects the company's used cardboard, plastic and plastic-foam packaging and prepares it to be sold for recycling. The recycling center processes 150 loads of Styrofoam and 200 loads of cardboard per week. Abt also recycles 20,000 wood pallets and plastic bags per week and is in the process of installing a small wind turbine on the roof to help reduce energy costs at their store.

External links

• Official website

References