(Phoenixville, PA) – In the mid-seventies, as home heating oil prices nearly doubled, Americans began to look seriously at alternative heating sources in an effort to save money. Sound familiar? If you’re Bill Ryan, owner of The Stove Shop Fireplace Center in Phoenixville, PA, the rise in heating prices comes as no surprise. “My dad Theodore Ryan opened The Stove Shop 47 years ago in response to people’s desire to have an economical alternative to oil heat, “ says Ryan, “and we’ve built a tradition of being Southeastern Pennsylvania’s fireplace experts and helping people save money on their heating bills.”
We help our customers stay warm & save money
After 47 years in business, Ryan has seen trends come and go. “Once again, concern is building over high fuel prices and many people are looking for ways to reduce costs,” he says. My hope is that more people will discover the benefits of heating all or part of their homes with gas, wood or pellets. In addition to lowering their heating costs, they can contribute to a greener earth and reduce our country’s dependence on foreign oil.”
Back in 1977, when the shop first opened, Ryan was finishing a varsity basketball career at Drexel University and preparing to enter the workforce. A local basketball standout, Ryan was the captain of the Phoenixville Phantoms. With a tight job market and a love of the Phoenixville area, Bill Ryan returned home and began to work for his dad selling and installing stoves. The rest, as they say, is history…
The Stove Shop’s values stand tall
Today, Ryan still resembles a collegiate basketball player, standing a lean 6’8.” His loyal customers, many of whom have been coming into the shop for upwards of 40+ years, ask for “the tall guy” when they want help. What really sets Ryan apart is not his height, but his passion about stoves and helping to keep people warm. His career has centered on the fact that the hearth is the heart of the home, and those fundamental values: Family, home, friendship, honesty, reliability are at the core of The Stove Shop’s success.
While the arc of history may have brought oil prices back to previous highs, The Stove Shop’s business has evolved to give customers more fuel options. The cornerstone upon which the business was built is Vermont Castings stoves. According to Ryan, customers drove for hundreds of miles to purchase their Vermont Castings stoves from him; and many of those stoves are still in use today.
High quality fireplaces & stoves
While the shop continues to carry Vermont Castings, they also sell a variety of other brands including Heat & Glo, Quadra-Fire and Harman. A large bulk of their business now is focused on gas fireplaces and inserts. Ryan believes pellets are an attractive option for many customers as they offer cost stability and economy. “If you currently heat with oil, incorporating a pellet stove into your home can save you nearly $800 per heating season,” says Ryan. “And if you’re heating with natural gas or propane, the savings is even greater.”
For customers interested in supplementing with a gas fireplace or gas fireplace insert, he believes, “These kinds of units can keep your family room or living room toasty warm and dust-free. Your net heating bill will be reduced since you can turn down your main house thermostat. Gas is a very clean and very convenient choice for zone heating.”
Fireplace showroom in Phoenixville, PA
The showroom has a full line-up of products displayed in the showroom, including many burning appliances so customers can get the full experience. The staff has a combined 100 years of experience and is fully trained in hearth product installation, service and operation. “We take a lot of pride in what we do, both in the products we represent and in the service we provide. Whether you have a cool, drafty living space you want to warm, or you’re interested in supplementing your home’s heat with renewable wood or pellets, we can provide insight and options,” says Ryan.
“We really want to share our excitement about ways to cut costs and become more energy independent. It is timely, considering the upward trend of home fuel costs…and we’ve been here long enough that we know how to help people overcome home heating hurdles.”
