Gramercy Typewriter Repairs in Manhattan is one of the oldest typewriter shop’s in New York City. Visitors are transported to a bygone era. Here, is a tour that explores the shop’s past, present and future.
Past:
Entering Gramercy Typewriter Repair, the scene was unlike entering an Apple Store. Instead of MacBooks and PC’s, customers were surrounded by antique typewriters dating back to the early 1900’s.
Gramercy Typewriter Repair – established in 1932 — is regarded as one of the oldest typewriter shop’s in New York City. Originally founded by Abraham Schweitzer , it was not until 1959 that his son Paul began working with his father.
As indicated by Abrahams son, Paul, his father initially started the business as a part time, after school type of business. Transitioning into a permanent business, with their first location by Gramercy Park. Hence the name Gramercy Typewriter Company.
Gramercy Typewriter Repair is located at 174 5th Ave #400, New York(Nicholas Marrero/Baruch College)
Present:
Owner Paul Schweitzer(Age 78) (Nicholas Marrero/Baruch College)
Three generations later, the Schweitzer family have kept New York City’s typewriters beating out letters, essays and novels for the last 84 years.
Paul Schweitzer, the shop’s owner, said his transition into his job at Gramercy Typewriter Repair was natural.
“We had a house in Brooklyn and in the basement we had this small workshop. As a youngster, I was downstairs watching my father. Helping him, make Typewriter ribbon. I always knew this is something I would want to do. “
A typical day at work for Paul and his son Justin consists of fixing the different machines that people bring in. “It can take me the whole day just to fix the one machine. Of course back in the sixties, seventies, eighties, nineties, there were many more calls for typewriters. So I can do it sometimes 10 or 12 or 15 service calls a day,” he said.
He added: ” We have calls from customers all over the city of New York to fix typewriters. Most of the work we do now is on HP laser printers. I continue working on in the shop some of the machines that are brought in are being repaired, washed and overhauled.”
Being in the business for nearly 58 years, Paul has grown to be prepared for any form of typewriter repair. “Well every machine is a challenge to me because each machine is going to have its different quirks. Different adjustments on different model machines are there are so many different models,” he said.
Paul receives calls from customers all over New York City to fix typewriters(Nicholas Marrero/Baruch College)
Future:
The Schweitzers find it unthinkable that they’ll ever run out of jobs in this old-fashioned line of work that has become all but obsolete with the arrival of the computer.
Over 76 years of experience Schweitzer has no plans of calling it quits(Nicholas Marrero/Baruch College)
Paul is optimistic about the future of his business. “There’s plenty of work every day, we never catch up.”
He added: “The office building has been modernized over the many years. But I’m not noticing that so much. I’m still going from office to office and I’m still going and making the calls,” he said.
Machinery such as HP printers have provided Paul new opportunities for the business in preceding years.
Paul said in the early 90’s customers began using laser printers in order to print out their documents rather than typing them.
“I was asked to fix their printers now since I do their typewriters. So we went to training courses on all the HP printers and I did keep up with some of the newer technology. There are still HP printers being sold all over the city and I’m still doing that type of work,” he said.
He added: “I’m still keeping the business relatively small . I keep my hands active with this business. I don’t really have the time to start learning all the new technology. But being busy with what I do I’m keeping it the same as it has been all these years.”
84 years since they first opened their door, Gramercy Typewriter Repair is still going strong.