By DAVID DUPONT
BG Independent News
Radio Hospital Verizon Wireless is the latest version of a business that’s helped customers for 90 years keep in touch with an evolving array of technology.
Sometime in the 1920s, Ralph DePalma started a radio repair business – that’s the Radio Hospital in its name – in Lima. Over the years the equipment that occupied his bench changed. The shop was ready when the first televisions went on the fritz back in the day when appliances were fixed not pitched.
About 25 years ago the business, which switched ownership to the founder’s nephew Tony DePalma along the way, took the on-ramp to the information superhighway and was there to meet people’s flip phone needs.
That’s evolved into a full service Verizon store that can provide plans, smart phones, tablets, and more. The newest Radio Hospital Verizon Wireless outlet marked its grand opening at 1216 N. Main St., Bowling Green, last week. Radio Hospital Verizon Wireless can be reached at 567-213-2455 or at www.radiohospital.com.
The store first opened its doors last November
“We can do anything a Verizon store can,” said Christina Hunter, the general manager. The difference is this store is locally owned.
“We answer the phones when you call,” said Andrew Norton, district manager. “We like to say we’re neighbors helping neighbors. … With us you’re not just a number.”
One of the reasons Bowling Green was an attractive option for Radio Hospital’s 14th store was the way the community supports local business, he said. “We can be part of that.”
As a college town Bowling Green offers a lot of opportunities, not just customers but as employees. Hunter is one of many Bowling Green State University graduates who work for Radio Hospital.
“The university helps us get new team members,” Norton said.
Hunter said business has slowly been picking up since the soft opening the day before Thanksgiving. “People are still finding us.”
Norton added: “We always look to grow in a community.”
