Ralph was especially interested in the new technology of refrigeration. He was certified in the field of refrigeration, and had three repair stores at one time. The store was involved with the Salem community on several levels. They held a cooking school to make area homemakers more comfortable with newly available appliances. When it was determined that a new store should be built, he visited furniture stores all throughout the midwest and east coast to refine the ultimate designs for the new building.
| The opening of the new, modern Hamilton's Furniture Store in 1945 was met with grand fanfare by the Salem populace. Unfortunately, Clarence Hamilton would not live to see his new store completed or join in the celebration, as he died just a few months earlier. The Hamiltons continued to operate their store at this site for another 15 years. In 1960, their story of 66 years of furniture business in Salem ended when they sold the business to another family-run enterprise, Rubenstein's Furniture. The Rubensteins operated their furniture business here for another 32 years, closing the doors in 1992. Ralph Hamilton's forward-thinking designs for his family's furniture store continue to be viable today. Kuebler's Furniture opened in this same building in 1995, continuing the operation of a furniture store on this same site today. Quite the legacy, we account. |