Jones Typewriter Co. is—or rather, was—a St. Louis institution, full of the glorious chaos that I know from my own workshop. At least, so I understand; sadly, I never got the opportunity to visit the shop myself. Now owners Charlie May and Vern Trampe have closed the shop, after 59 years in business (see more great information and photos in a St. Louis Post-Dispatch story).
However, a new typewriter business is arising to fill the demand: Clickety Clack! Owned by husband and wife Shane and Amanda Byrne, who plan to open their own brick-and-mortar location in Rolla, Missouri, CC promises to keep MO clicking for years to come. Shane has been apprenticing at Jones, and the Byrnes have bought most of the shop's inventory.
Photo by Wesley B.
To judge from a story in Phelps County Focus (only the opening three paragraphs are available online), the Byrnes have a tidy aesthetic.
They sponsored a type-in in Rolla last weekend. Insurgent correspondent Wesley B. offers us these glimpses.
Good luck, Clickety Clack! Typewriters are still a thing, nearly a quarter of the way into the 21st century—and you're going to help prove it.
It is astonishing and awesome that so many new brick-n-mortar typewriter shops are able to start and thrive in the past few years. Godspeed to the new guard! :D
ReplyDeleteYes—very encouraging!
DeleteSad to hear of a typewriter shop closing. Happy to hear of a new one opening.
ReplyDeleteI think the last of the 2 typewriter shops here has also closed. Last time I passed the sign no long even mentions typewriters, only that it is a printing shop.