New York’s last typewriter repair shop gets some – Business News
In New York City, there’s nonetheless not less than one place left untouched by fashionable tech.
At Gramercy Typewriter Co., there isn’t a screen in sight — probably the most superior piece of technology may be the cordless landline cellphone propped up on a counter.
“I prefer to type someone a letter over an email any day,” typewriter technician Jay Schweitzer, who inherited the business from his father, advised The Post.
“It’s a beautiful sound. I mean, there’s nothing like it.”
Jay Schweitzer’s earliest reminiscences of the household business contain accompanying his father to work at a younger age, the place he watched, realized and infrequently spooled ribbons. Brian Zak/NY Post
But typewriter repair is a waning subject. Offhand, Schweitzer can title the few remaining typewriter repair retailers throughout the nation, however this month, the one typewriter store in Boston is shuttering — and Gramercy Typewriter Co. is NYC’s last.
The company was began by Schweitzer’s grandfather, Abraham, and was handed down to Jay’s father, Paul, who, at 87, continues to be fixing up machines day-after-day.
“Retirement was never something to consider,” the youthful Schweitzer mentioned. “He slowed it down a bit, but he enjoys what he does and looks forward to being at that workbench every day.”
Today, they sell an average of 40 to 50 typewriters each month, with stock — some of which was acquired from since-shuttered shops within the area — that dates back a long time.
Machines are even loaned out for Hollywood initiatives and onstage productions, from “The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel” to Steven Spielberg’s “The Post.” Currently, the company’s typewriters could be noticed onstage in the Broadway show “Good Night and Good Luck” starring George Clooney.
All of the typewriters within the seventeenth Street shop are for sale. Brian Zak/NY Post
The third-generation household business by no means bothered moving into the pc industry regardless of the speedy development of the World Wide Web.
Machines constructed to last centuries — not laptops that give out after a half-decade — are more their kind (pardon the pun).
“I don’t come across too many people that say, ‘I’m going to go get my laptop fixed.’ It’s just not cost-effective. So, you get a number of years out of it — the operating systems are getting old and not keeping up, and you have to buy new,” mentioned Schweitzer, 57.
“That doesn’t happen here.”
The almost century-old institution is a relic of bygones from a pre-tech increase period. Inside, there’s not a screen in sight. Brian Zak/NY Post
Schweitzer, with ink-smudged fingers, prefers typing notes over emails any day. Brian Zak/NY Post
Rather than be taught computer systems, Schweitzer’s father caught to what he knew: typewriters. Brian Zak/NY Post
Growing up, he would come to work together with his dad during summer season breaks from faculty to watch and be taught the household commerce, usually tasked with “things like spool ribbons.”
Back then, typewriters had been in each workplace on each desk, however when the pc gained traction among the many public, the relics had been shoved into storage closets and left to gather mud.
But that didn’t dampen the Schweitzers’ spirits.
As dozens of rivals tried to adapt to technological developments on the time — dipping into copiers, printers and even computer systems — Gramercy Typewriter Co. stayed true to the one piece of machinery they knew.
“It was already a very oversaturated business, and they were trying to catch up as they were just learning,” Schweitzer recalled. “My dad didn’t feel that it was time at his age to start learning something new.”
He added: “It was like learning a new language, and he didn’t want to start going back to school, so to speak.”
Schweitzer believes the success of the third-generation household business could be attributed to by no means wavering from their mission to focus solely on typewriters — and never another tech. Brian Zak/NY Post
While clients of all ages go to the store to buy a refurbished machine, some typewriters are loaned to Broadway productions or Hollywood units. Brian Zak/NY Post
That is, maybe, the key to their longstanding business, which has boomed since 1932, outlasting all their rivals.
But his clients span generations, from more aged clientele who’ve used the machines for years to Gen Z, who’s ushering in a revival of old skool relics, like landline telephones, vinyl data and even cassette tapes.
“We have parents coming in with these 7-, 8-, 9-, 10-year-olds who have seen the typewriter somewhere and took a liking to it, whether it be a movie, television show, Broadway, friend’s house,” Schweitzer defined.
Parents, he mentioned, are glad to splurge on the typing artifact if it retains their children “away from the screen.”
The business sells an average of 40 to 50 typewriters per 30 days. Brian Zak/NY Post
“It’s a beautiful sound,” Schweitzer mentioned of the hallmark typewriter keyboard clacking. “I mean, there’s nothing like it.” Brian Zak/NY Post
“Regardless of the reason that they’re getting a typewriter, one thing’s for sure,” Schweitzer mentioned.
“Even when they’re not being used and they’re sitting on a desk or a piece of furniture, they look beautiful — probably the best-looking thing somebody has in their home or office — and will continue to be readily available to be used for decades to come.”
