About Us - Our Story

OVER 100 YEARS OF SERVICE

The first owner of POCATELLO ELECTRIC was Max Schaefer, who opened the store in 1902. He sold the business to Ed Hall in the early 1930’s. An early history of the store notes that the store sold radios, appliances, lighting fixtures and "gave free air and water at the curb"—water for the horses and air for automobile tires. In 1947 after World War II, Al Vigliaturo, a Navy veteran, went to work for Hall. He worked for Hall until 1973 when he bought the business from Hall and became the sole owner.

Al wanting to keep it a true family owned and operated business, brought in his wife Helen and son Mike to help run the business. Mike aspired to continue his career as a Navigational Petty Officer on the Nuclear submarine the Sculpin, but came back home to help his father carry out his dream of keeping the business in the family. While working at Pocatello Electric he attended Idaho State University and earned a Bachelors degree in Business Management and Organization and Marketing. Mike worked for his father for 15 years before buying the business from him in 1989. Once again wanting to carry out his fathers dream of keeping it a family owned and operated business, he brought in his wife Suzie Vigliaturo to help run the business. Mike has made a lot of changes at Pocatello Electric but the one thing that remains the same is the integrity and honesty of the friendly, knowledgeable, staff that continues to work with you our customers. To bring you the best service that Pocatello has to offer. Our commitment to you still remains even after 117 years in business serving southeast Idaho as one the oldest appliance stores in Idaho and America.

We service what we sell, we have a trained service technician in the store. We have knowledgeable sales staff to help you with all your appliance needs.