VANDERBILT - The red brick building on Carter and Main streets in Vanderbilt has held many businesses through the years, including a drugstore, an A&P Grocery, Arlene Farmer's Thrift Store, and now, B&D Used Furniture and Appliances, owned by Robert Luktisch and Duane King. B&D Used Furniture and Appliances will be 2 years old in September. King, who serves on Vanderbilt Borough Council, used to help Arlene Farmer when the pizza shop and grocery store he and Luktisch once operated across the street wasn't busy. When the opportunity came to buy the shop, they decided to stress practical items. "Most people associated Arlene with furniture. Bob and I also sell appliances. We sell what people need." "We told Arlene, 'If you ever want to give this up, we'll give it a shot,'" says Luktisch. "She retired and moved to Tennessee. She had an auction and everything was sold, so we had an opportunity to paint the tin ceilings and bring in appliances to fill the space." One side of the store's ceiling is painted in shades of blue and the other half in purples. "It was a lot of work, but would have been impossible if the shop had been full," he says. In addition to furniture and household items, the two sell used large appliances purchased from Lowe's in Belle Vernon, which Luktisch repairs and cleans. "We buy appliances that Lowe's acquires when people buy new appliances. They are all checked, repaired and cleaned. They're spotless," he says. "They've become the predominant part of our business." B&D sells 20 to 30 appliances monthly, mainly refrigerators, but they sell refurbished stoves, washers and dryers. Some appliances have warranties, and the men will deliver free of charge in the Tri-Town area and for a nominal charge elsewhere. With low prices, quality appliances and attention to customers' needs, B&D is developing a loyal following. "We come in two or three times every month," says Mary Gallagher of Perryopolis. "We've bought a refrigerator, a stove, a washer and a dryer. I like it here. Everything I've gotten here works well. We're looking for a side-by-side refrigerator now." King says he'll call her when one arrives and Luktisch has worked on it. Her husband, Don Gallagher, says, "I used to live in Vanderbilt. I was happy to see it come in. This town needs businesses." "We'll stick with furniture," says King. "It's fun. We get some antiques, but most people in this area are looking for practical items, and we provide them at affordable prices." The two businessmen have plans for the future as a growing business in a community with potential. "It's a nice town," says Luktisch. "I'd like to see it develop into something cute." The two have plans to help make Vanderbilt cuter, including having the building's bricks cleaned and adding an awning. "We also want to decorate the windows this Christmas with vintage items, a different scene in each of the display windows," says Luktisch. "I found one of the tin Christmas trees from the '50s and we also want to set up a toy train set for display. I'm hoping that in 10 years the area has built up so we can add antiques for sale." "I remember when all the stores on Main Street were filled," says King. "That wasn't so long ago. We hope the town grows more. It's got potential."

---

Copyright ©2025— Trib Total Media, LLC (TribLIVE.com)

---