World Wide Stereo

General information

That a young, ambitious, blues-guitar-playing clinical psychologist and his pretty, free-spirited artist wife would throw caution to the wind and open a tiny store called World Wide Stereo would seem, on the surface, not all that unusual. That this tiny store would not only survive three major recessions and outlast regional and national competitors for close to 40 years, but go on to win almost every award for excellence in the industry would, indeed, seem unusual.

But then again, that was the plan all along.

Bring the world's finest consumer electronics together in one place – no spin-offs, no gimmicks, no junk – and then find the right people to explain and demo the difference. People who don't push, but inspire instead, because they honestly love what they do. From there, recruit schooled designers and installation experts, professionals far and away superior to typical chain store installers. Set new standards for music-listening, Mobile Entertainment, Home Automation, Lighting Control, Shades, Whole House Audio and, of course, Home Theater.

After people, policy: keep pricing competitive, and provide customer service even years after the sale. Earn our customers’ trust, never hide from mistakes, and build on integrity. Give back to the community and always follow the credo "do well by doing good." Last, laugh at ourselves as often as possible – and never put a fake gorilla on the street to wave in customers. Then, hopefully, let word-of-mouth do the rest.

In many ways, today's World Wide Stereo feels a lot like the 1979 version. (If it ain't broke...) But with the addition of e-commerce (and winner of the prestigious STELLA Service Excellent rating), two more storefronts and a growing international customer base, we've grown up some, too. Though Bob and Karen – and Ron and Mark and Kristin and Gavin and Frank, pretty much the whole original gang – are still here.

After all, why would we ever leave?