Ray’s Indian Originals, run by the Belcher family — first Ray Belcher and wife Peggy, currently by their sons Jonathan and Mark — since 1948, is closing for good Dec. 30.
“It’s time to throw in the towel,” Jonathan Belcher said. “The walk-in business has gotten worse and we can’t afford to keep the store going. But we will continue with our Internet business.”
Ray’s is hosting one final event, an open house celebrating Native American Heritage Month, noon-5 p.m. Nov. 21, at 32 North Avondale Road.
Ray Belcher first opened with 378 records and two jukeboxes he rented to bars and honky tonks. Throughout his career, which lasted until just before his death in February 2005, he sold and repaired among others, jukeboxes, radio test equipment, commercial radios, televisions, drive-in movie speakers and police radios. It was Peggy who began selling Native American jewelry and art off a card table in 1971.
Ray’s is probably the oldest business in Avondale, opening seven years before Waffle House opened half-mile down the road.
“The Waffle House guys (founders Joe Rogers, Sr. and Tom Forkner) asked Dad to go in with them,” Jonathan said. “But bless his heart Dad said he was too busy at the shop. I admit I kind of regret that.”
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