Van Vreede TV & Appliance was started in June, 1951 in a small shop on Main Street in Kimberly by Harvey & Lorraine Van Vreede on a part time basis. Upon the advent of television to the area, in February, 1952 the business was moved to Grand Avenue in Little Chute and operated on a full time basis. A full line of appliances was added to the existing radio and television sales and service.
In 1956 the entire operation moved into a larger building on Main Street right next to the Village Hall in Little Chute. It remained there until 1961, when a new building was erected at 1000 W. Main Street in Little Chute.
In 1973 Van Vreede's was incorporated and remains as such today.
In 1979 a new store was added in Menasha and another in Green Bay in 1983 at the present location.
In 1989, the Appleton store opened at the present location and furniture was added, first in Appleton and then in Green Bay.
In 1994, the Oshkosh store opened on Washburn Street. The Menasha store subsequently closed and then the Little Chute store closed shortly after that. Today, Van Vreede's consists of three locations: Appleton, Green Bay and Oshkosh with the Distribution Center in Appleton.
And the rest, as they say, is history!