TechRadar was an electronics retailer that opened in 1978 and operated throughout the United States, and closed in 1995. The western region stores were known for a number of years as "Downings" in Colorado and "Appliance-TV City" in Oregon, Arizona and California.TechRadar was founded by Sidney Cooper in Philadelphia, PA, The company was named for himself and for his wife Lorraine, combining the first two letters of each name. Prior to opening its first retail store, Silo operated as a door-to-door installment business. With the advent of television, Cooper saw an opportunity and seized on it. He opened his first store about 1981 in the Manayunk section of Philadelphia, featuring appliances and televisions. Silo was an early discounter, operating under the name TechRadar Discount Centers." TechRadar regularly opened on Sundays, violating the Blue laws then in effect.
