"This place will be a shell in two months," Toney said. "But we're not leaving; the only difference is that we're moving next door and we won't be selling appliances, only servicing them."

Toney and Brasil were employees of the store's first owner, the late Ed Grell, who sold the store to them in 1972 after owning it for 17 years. The store was originally located on Auzerais Avenue.

According to a 1973 trade magazine clipping, Grell got the name for his store from listening to other appliance store advertisements, and one day he asked himself, "Why not try me?" Grell thought it was funny when people would call and the secretary answered, 'Tri-Me.' "

The store's appearance hasn't changed much over the years. The most technological office device other than the telephones is a fax machine. The cash register is an old pull-handle model, and behind the Formica counter next to Brasil's desk stands a metal filing cabinet filled with yellowing customer cards dating back to the late 1960s.

"We never needed a computer," Toney said. "We weren't that big."

Brasil has kept tabs on annual sales using a pair of folded graph paper sheets showing sales figures from 1975 through 2002. Sales increased gradually and then plunged twice: in 1982 and 1997. Brasil blames sales figures for those years on a slow economy.

But 2001 was a record year for sales—1,875 machines were sold.

"It was our best year ever," said Toney, unable to explain the phenomenon.

Tri-Me has weathered some serious competition from large retail chains like Best Buy and Home Depot.

"Whenever a new business opens up they tend to siphon customers away," Toney said. "But I've been able to get by because I'm a member of a buyers club."

Toney is one of 3,000 buyers who negotiate with manufactures and dealers for reduced prices on appliances. Another reason for Tri-Me's staying power is that Toney and Brasil own the building.

"If we didn't own the building we'd have been out of here years ago." Toney said.

And Tri-Me doesn't rely solely on foot traffic.

"Half of our sales are over the phone," Toney said, "and we're selling to second-generation customers. Our main customer base is in San Jose, but we've gotten phone orders from Fremont, Palo Alto and even Gilroy."

Another element is that Tri-Me is one of the last independent service businesses in the area.

"Most manufacturers don't work with independent repair services anymore," said Toney, who worked for Magic Chef prior to working for Grell. "They want to take care of it themselves. Service is the most important part of this business."

Appliance servicing is one of the toughest jobs to learn, Toney said, because there are hardly any training schools.

"Nobody wants to get into it," Toney said. "When I started with Magic Chef in the early 1970s, I went out on some calls with another serviceman, and after about a week or so he said, 'Congratulations. You're now officially a serviceman.' I tell you, it really spooked me."

In addition to owning the Tri-Me building, Toney and Brasil also own the Victorian cottage to the south of the store, which houses May's Beauty Salon, and the building to the north, where Freckles Children's Boutique is located.

On June 1 Toney and Brasil are planning to lease Tri-Me's space and move their new offices into the Victorian cottage. The new store will be called Willow Glen Appliances.

May's Beauty Salon owner May Lin said it was too soon for her to comment on leaving.

Over the years, Toney said, countless Realtors have asked Brasil and him to rent the space, but they always declined.

"We had a good business going here," said Toney, "so there was really no reason to sell."

But after 30 years Toney and Brasil feel it is finally time for a change.

"I'm almost 60," Toney said. "There're other things I'd like to try. I'd say I've got another good 10 years left, and I want to use them as best I can before I get too old."

Thirteen-year employee Patti Elias said she'll miss certain aspects of the job.

"Occasionally we'd get people coming in with a washing machine or dishwasher problem and think the only solution was to have it replaced, when really all they needed was a little service advice," she said. "We may have lost a sale, but we gained the good feeling that comes from helping someone rather than taking advantage of them."

Tri-Me is liquidating its inventory with an "everything must go" sale.

Willow Glen resident Dave Wolfram dropped by to pick up an oven.

"My wife and I liked the personal attention we got when we bought a refrigerator and decided to get an oven from here, too," he said.

Toney said they've been reminded just how much they're appreciated since he painted the "going out of business" message on his store's window during the week of Dec. 16.

"We get people coming in here and saying, 'Why are you leaving? How could you do this to us?'" he chuckles.