Thomson TV Company has been around for a long time—this year will be its 65^th year, in fact. Now, a fully functional, franchised Radio Shack, the television shop has completed the circle, so to speak, regarding the electronics business. It has kept the “mom and pop” charm while integrating big business products and resources.

“We are more than just a Radio Shack,” said owner, Chris Norris. “We carry everything Radio Shack has plus the extra services we offer through Thomson TV.”

Thomson TV, originally a television and radio shop on 3^rd Street, has transformed over the years.

“We started out having our own TV shop in the back of a store,” Norris said.

That transformation took a leap ahead in April of 1974 when it became franchised with Radio Shack. The business moved several times throughout the years, resting finally at its current location on 15^th Street in 1999.

“Anything with electronics, we carry it,” Norris said. “We also carry all the major TV brands.”

According to Norris, his integrated business has created a full service electronic shop.

“We do installations; we have our own service department; we repair TVs; we do home theater installs; we install TVs we sell; we offer Dish Network and DirectTV services,” Norris said.

Norris said his business also offers home theater design in which he designs home theaters based on customer specifications.

According to Norris, he has had a lot of customers that come in asking about the possibility that Radio Shack is closing, based on recent corporate news. He said that the closings are based on Radio Shack locations that are not doing so well in today’s economy, something that does not apply to Norris’ business.

“We are going to continue to serve Washington,” Norris said. “One thing my dad always taught me was to treat people how you want to be treated yourself. That is what we try to do here.”

Norris said that he feels, having a business in a small town, he gets to know his customers by name and understands their wants and needs.

“If we don’t have it, we will do what we can to get it,” Norris said. “From 1950 to today, its still family owned and operated. It is such a pleasure to help our customers, and I would like to thank all of them.”