History of Highland Appliance

Founded in 1933, Highland Appliance was started in Highland Park, Michigan, likely in the same store pictured. The chain was the second largest electronics chain right behind Circuit City. It expanded much past Highland Park and made it all the way down to Texas with over 85 stores. As from the name of the store, Highland Appliance, the chain sold more than just electronics and also sold many types of appliances. Not everything would go smoothly, as in the late 1980s/early 1990s financial trouble hit the chain. In 1991, the chain pulled out of the Texas market, leaving only 50 stores. Still, it was firm on staying in the Midwest region until a year later when the chain filed for Chapter 11 Bankruptcy in August 1992. By 1993, the last 30 stores in the chain were liquidated. The likely original building sits in Highland Park, MI, along with many other abandoned buildings from the decline in Highland Park during the 1980s along the Woodward corridor. Today, it serves mainly as a place for homeless people, as seen from the trash on the ground.