Hastings Electric
In 1919, Robert Hastings founded Hastings Electric in Chillicothe, Ohio, after seeing an opportunity to help members of his rural community. Hastings Electric primarily focused on selling Delco Light Plants, which were used to provide electricity to rural homes and farms.
In 1926, Robert signed up his business to become a dealer of Frigidaire refrigerators. Now that the members of his rural community were receiving electricity through Delco, he could focus on providing them with additional appliances to help make life on the farm a little easier. He started selling refrigerators in 1926 and added additional appliances as they were invented.
After decades in the business, Robert decided it was time to retire, providing Lena Cottrill, the Hastings Electric secretary, the opportunity to step in and buy the business. Lena had joined the team in 1928 and spent a total of 61 years working for and owning the company, until she retired in 1989. In 1977, Robert Kenworthy, a businessman and Frigidaire servicer from Circleville, joined Lena’s team at the store and when Lena retired, Robert took over the business.
In 1990, Carol Longstreth, owner of Timmons Appliance & TV, a local appliance and TV shop, and Robert Kenworthy instigated a merger of Hastings Electric and Timmons Appliance & TV, as Robert was then seeking retirement. The two businesses became Hastings Electric Inc., operating exclusively out of the 96-98 W. Second St. location in downtown Chillicothe.
Carol Longstreth is the current President of the corporation and runs the day-to-day operations of the business. Through the years Hastings Electric Inc. has expanded their line of inventory to include not only Frigidaire but also, General Electric, Speed Queen and Oreck products. As of 2019, Hastings is considered the 5th oldest dealer of Frigidaire appliances – dating back to 1926.