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May 20, 2024 4:09 AM Subscribe
Like old-school technology? The last typewriter shop in the Boston area is for sale.
For $35K, Tom Hanks should just buy up the whole thing for his collection and call it a day.
posted by briank at 5:03 AM on May 20 [2 favorites]
posted by briank at 5:03 AM on May 20 [2 favorites]
This might be the place to mention Joseph 'Val' Valiante (June 26, 1926 - June 11, 1985) who by night headed up Joe Val and the New England Bluegrass Boys and by day was a typewriter repair man in Newton Corner, MA. I was quite a fan of JV&NEBB in the early 80s, and Joe fixed an electric typewriter which I [ooops!] dropped to the floor in 1982. I guess the typewriter business folded when Joe died.
posted by BobTheScientist at 5:35 AM on May 20 [2 favorites]
posted by BobTheScientist at 5:35 AM on May 20 [2 favorites]
Here for Hanks reference, not disappointed.
posted by jenfullmoon at 5:58 AM on May 20 [1 favorite]
posted by jenfullmoon at 5:58 AM on May 20 [1 favorite]
Ha, we had one in our neighborhood until around 6-7 years ago and it had been the source of wonder, bemusement and bewilderment for at least 20 years running by then, not least because no one had ever seen a car in its five-spot parking lot other than presumably the owner's 1980's Subaru wagon, always in the same place, six days a week.
posted by thecincinnatikid at 6:41 AM on May 20
posted by thecincinnatikid at 6:41 AM on May 20
Portland, Oregon is currently home to four typewriter sales and repair businesses. Sometimes stereotypes are based in truth.
posted by Just the one swan, actually at 8:43 AM on May 20 [4 favorites]
posted by Just the one swan, actually at 8:43 AM on May 20 [4 favorites]
It seems like a technician or apprentice in one of those Portland shops should buy this one in Boston. The winters will be worse, but the marketplace is less crowded.
posted by OrangeDisk at 9:50 AM on May 20
posted by OrangeDisk at 9:50 AM on May 20
Reminds me of the Lighting Fast VCR Repair Shop in Milwaukee, WI.
posted by SoberHighland at 11:44 AM on May 20 [1 favorite]
posted by SoberHighland at 11:44 AM on May 20 [1 favorite]
Huh, in Philadelphia, there are at least three thriving typewriter repair shops that I know of.
posted by desuetude at 1:35 PM on May 20 [1 favorite]
posted by desuetude at 1:35 PM on May 20 [1 favorite]
Oh no!! Will the Boston Typewriter Orchestra fall silent?
posted by Harvey Kilobit at 6:37 PM on May 20
posted by Harvey Kilobit at 6:37 PM on May 20
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posted by cardioid at 5:01 AM on May 20 [5 favorites]