A family-run appliance store stands the test of time.
By James Hanley Photography by Jack Foley
From its humble beginnings as a small neighborhood television repair shop in Weymouth’s lower Jackson Square, George Washington Toma TV and Appliance has grown into a home appliance industry leader on the South Shore. A commitment to customer satisfaction, quality products and community connection has kept this family-run business going strong for 70 years.
George Washington Toma TV and Appliance was founded in 1953 by the company’s namesake, George Washington Toma. Prior to this time, Toma had worked for a local company hanging antennas on roofs. When that business closed, he and a friend ventured out on their own to start a business called Weymouth TV. As the business grew and evolved, so did its name, eventually becoming George Washington Toma TV and Appliance in the 1970s.
Now operating in both Weymouth and Brockton, George Washington Toma TV and Appliance has developed a loyal following with customers across multiple generations. The family’s patriarch retired in 1991, leaving the business in the capable hands of his children. His son, George Anthony Toma, is the company’s CEO and runs the Weymouth store. His daughter, Donna Toma Lawlor, runs the Brockton location, and his granddaughter Lindsay Toma handles the company’s delivery dispatch department.
George Washington Toma TV and Appliance specializes in the sale and service of a wide range of major household appliances, from washers, dryers, stoves, microwaves and dishwashers, to wine coolers, barbecue grills, televisions and sound systems. Some of the brands that they sell include Thermador, Monogram, Viking, Fisher Paykel and Dacor. The team at George Washington Toma helps buyers find just the right appliance for their needs and customers appreciate having someone to call if they have a question or need a repair. The high level of customer trust and loyalty is one of the factors that has helped the business succeed for so many years.
“The people we meet are wonderful,” says CEO George A Toma, who has formed meaningful relationships with many of his longtime customers. “You see them on a regular basis and get to know their families and their pets too! We are now seeing third generations. It is very exciting and very special.”
Giving back to the South Shore community is another thing that sets the company apart. George A Toma was recently appointed chairman of the board of directors for the Arc of the South Shore, a local nonprofit organization he has supported since 2012 that provides information, referrals, and community programs for individuals with disabilities.
This year marks the company’s 70th year in business. The momentous milestone is meaningful for all of the members of the Toma family, but especially the family’s patriarch, George Washington Toma, who is now 94 years old.
George A Toma is proud to be carrying on the family business. “[My father] is very happy and proud to see how far his company has come, how we have taken care of so many people, and that we are able to support and give back to the communities that have helped us grow and become the company we are today.”
For more information, visit gwtoma.com.
