Overview
Lafayette Radio Electronics was a major American electronics retailer, distributor, and manufacturer known for selling radios, amateur radio equipment, CB radios, hi-fi equipment, test instruments, electronic parts, and kits through retail stores and mail-order catalogs. The company became especially well known during the 1950s through the 1970s for its extensive annual catalogs and nationwide retail presence.
According to Lafayette’s 1971 Golden Jubilee Catalog (Catalog 710), the company traced its origins back to 1921. Abraham Pletman served as the company’s original president.
Lafayette operated both retail stores and a large mail-order business. The company sold products under the Lafayette brand as well as equipment manufactured by other companies. Many Lafayette-branded products were produced by Japanese manufacturers including Trio/Kenwood and others.
One notable feature of the company was the “Junk Room,” where returned, discontinued, overstocked, or cosmetically imperfect items were sold at steep discounts. Many items placed there reportedly had little or nothing wrong with them aside from missing packaging or customer complaints.
Lafayette Radio Electronics eventually merged or became associated with companies including Concord Electronics, Wholesale Radio Service Company, and Radio Wire Television Inc.
The company opened a major warehouse store on Jericho Turnpike in Syosset, New York.
Lafayette published its final catalog in 1979 and subsequently ceased operations during the early 1980s.
Technical Specifications
| Item | Details |
|---|---|
| Company Name | Lafayette Radio Electronics |
| Industry | Consumer Electronics, Amateur Radio, CB Radio, Electronic Components |
| Founded | 1921 |
| Founder/Leadership | Abraham Pletman |
| Headquarters | Syosset, New York |
| Business Type | Retail Stores, Mail-Order Catalog Sales |
| Known For | Electronics catalogs, Lafayette-branded radios, CB equipment, kits, test equipment |
| Final Catalog Published | 1979 |
Description
Lafayette became one of the most recognizable electronics retailers in the United States during the postwar electronics boom. Their catalogs competed directly with Allied Radio, Radio Shack, and Heathkit catalogs and were widely used by hobbyists, radio operators, technicians, and experimenters.
The company marketed a broad range of products including:
- Amateur radio transceivers
- CB radios
- Shortwave receivers
- Stereo equipment
- Test instruments
- Electronic components
- Intercom systems
- Antennas
- Educational electronics kits
Lafayette-branded communications equipment became especially popular during the CB radio boom of the 1970s.
Historical Timeline
| Year | Event |
|---|---|
| 1921 | Lafayette Radio Electronics founded |
| 1935 | Operations located in Newark, New Jersey and Atlanta, Georgia |
| 1950s | Expanded national catalog and retail operations |
| 1962 | Headquarters located at 111 Jericho Turnpike, Syosset, NY |
| 1960s | Expanded Lafayette-branded electronics and communications equipment |
| 1971 | Published Golden Jubilee catalog celebrating 50 years |
| 1970s | Operated major warehouse store in Syosset, New York |
| 1979 | Published final Lafayette catalog |
| Early 1980s | Company ceased operations |
Historical Addresses
Lafayette Radio Electronics Corp.
100 Sixth Avenue
New York, N.Y.
Lafayette Radio Electronics Corp.
542 East Fordham Road
Bronx, N.Y.
1935 Locations
Newark, New Jersey
Atlanta, Georgia
Lafayette Radio Electronics Corp. (1962)
111 Jericho Turnpike
Syosset, NY 11791
References
- World Radio History – Lafayette Catalog Archive
https://www.worldradiohistory.com/Lafayette_Catalogs.htm - Wikipedia – Lafayette Radio Electronics
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lafayette_Radio_Electronics - Internet Archive – Lafayette Radio Catalogs
https://archive.org/search?query=Lafayette+Radio+Electronics
History:
According to their catalogs, Lafayette Radio Electronics has been around a long time. Their Golden Jubilee catalog (Catalog 710), published in 1971, makes the claim the company was founded in 1921.
Abraham Pletman was Lafayette Radio Electronics original president.
There were many items returned to Lafayette. Some could not be sold as new as some parts were missions of the customer said it was “not working properly” or some shipping or packing material was missing. Many times there was nothing wrong with the equipment. Sometimes items were discontinued and no longer stocked. If they were too busy/lazy to test it, or could no longer stock it, it ended up in the Jung Room at greatly discounted prices.
The Lafayette Radio Electronics Corp. had mergers with Concord Electronics, Wholesale Radio Service Company and the Radio Wire Television Inc., Company. Lafayette Radio Electronics opened up a main warehouse store on Jericho Turnpike in Syosset New York.
Lafayette Radio Electronics published it’s last catalog in 1979.
Historical Addresses:
Lafayette Radio Electronics Corp.
100 Sixth Avenue
New York, N.Y.
Lafayette Radio Electronics Corp.
542 East Fordham Road
Bronx, N.Y.
1935
Newark N.J.
Atlanta, GA
1962
Lafayette Radio Electronics Corp.
111 Jericho Turnpike
Syosset, NY 11791