From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Lafayette Radio was a radio manufacturer and retailer based in Syosset, New York. The company sold radio sets, amateur radio equipment, citizen's band (CB) radios, and other communications equipment, as well as electronic components and even tools, through retail outlets as well as by mail-order.

Most of Lafayette's models were not the best performers nor were they the worst performers. Products ranged from stereos to two-way radios for Hams and CBers, and shortwave listeners. Many were dedicated types with special functions, such as VHF receivers for police and fire channels built into a CB radio. A complete model line included many models and brand names to choose from for just about any purpose, as opposed to just a few. The product line also covered other manufacturers' products through seasonal catalogs. The company's best selling products were often shortwave receivers, parts, and portable radios. In the 1960s, most Lafayette brand radios were rebranded Trio-Kenwood sets, which were of moderate performance and build quality.

A thriving mail-order catalog business in electronic components was a boon to the amateur radio operators and electronic hobbyist located in areas where such components were not available in local retail outlets.

Lafayette's main competitors were Radio Shack, Allied Radio, Heathkit, and "mom and pop" (independent) radio dealers throughout the United States.

The downfall of Lafayette Radio began in the early 1970s, with a huge over stock of 23-channel CB radios, when the 40-channel CB radios were approved by the FCC. With less than 100 stores, far fewer than the aggressively expanding Radio Shack's thousands of local outlets, Lafayette Radio remained more of a dedicated enthusiasts' store than a mass marketer.

The banned 23 channel CB radios became illegal for sale, resulting in unsold stock in the company's warehouses. The next blow to the company was the advent of electronics retailers relying on aggressive marketing techniques and competitive pricing in the late 1970s. Formerly a national chain, the remaining Lafayette stores in the state of New York closed by the end of 1979.

Some local Lafayette stores remained open until 1981. For example, the Long Branch, New Jersey store finally closed in the Fall of 1981. Unsold inventory was literally shovelled into dumpsters overnight to vacate the store.

One store in the Trenton, NJ area went on independently to become known as "Laraco Electronics". Laraco had one retail location that served the area on Business Route 1 in Lawrenceville, NJ until its closing in late 2002. In the final years of Laraco Electronics existence they were also an internet retailer found at www.laracoelectronics.com and a seller on ebay, and Amazon.

One product of interest from Lafayette Radio Corporation was a small Atom Smasher (van de Graaff generator), Model F-371. The address for this product was listed as 165-08 Liberty Ave., Jamaica 33, N.Y.

Several Lafayette stores were purchased by Circuit City of Richmond, VA. In order to keep the Lafayette name, which was popular in New York, Circuit City changed the store names to "Lafayette-Circuit City". However, these store locations were much smaller than a standard Circuit City, and did not carry major appliances, which Circuit City carried at the time. The stores were eventually closed as Circuit City left the New York Market (only to return later). The Syosset repair center was kept open a year after the last store closing to handle warranty coverage. Lafayette-Circuit City used the phrase "no haggling" in its ad campaign, which featured celebrities such as Don King, in trying to deomonstrate that the lowet price was always posted, unlike many competitors in where you would have to bargain with the sales person for a lower price. This approach, however, did not work, and Lafayette-Circuit City fell due to competition from other New York area electronic retailers such as Newmark and Lewis, Trader Horn, The Wiz, Crazy Eddie and PC Richard. Out of those, PC Richard is the only store still operating.