Almost Done!

Last December we were notified our lease was not being renewed, “Be out in two months.” An impossible feat, so we pushed back, and gained a reprieve to May 31, 2024.  Planning and preparations began early January.  First task was to find convenient, nearby warehouse space as temporary storage and as a location for lots-to-bid-on in a High Bids Win auction.  By happenstance, a former Letterpress Services customer graciously stepped up offering both available space and utilities, and moving stuff began soon after.

Open Dates continued into April while behind the scenes decisions were being made daily about: what to keep/move to storage; what could/would go to trash; and often painfully so, what could be disposed of as scrap having little or no momentary worth despite whatever the intrinsic value.

The numbers are staggering!  Overall, 170+ pallets total, schlepped by hand down an elevator, into/out of a truck and into the storage area.  Equipment, machines and presses; cabinets—both empty and with type; shelving, counters, tables and tools; dozens and dozens of cartons packed/palletized with inventory supplies, books, paper, ephemera and more.  Three 10-yard dumpsters and 16 truckloads of trash to landfill; 27 truckloads of scrap metal to a recycling yard. With trash and scrap combined, 48 tons of matter hauled out and away!

Initially, we anticipated being finished by the end of May.  Our expectations of exiting as promised were far exceeded by the physical reality of the task.  Finally, June 28th we walked away leaving locks and keys behind; six months of the worst physical and emotional strain and stress ever experienced in our lifetimes!  

The first week in July we did nothing except rest, sleep and enjoy coffee (and an occasional beer) on the deck!

Along the way, in late May an impromptu visit to another former LPS print shop customer led to the availability of space in their building.  Following a brief tour and several hours of intense, freewheeling discussion of all the possibilities the location offered to both parties, Letterpress Things had a new location!

The second week in July the build-out of our new home began.  It took about a month to clean the space out, construct counters, build an office and “stations”, and arrange cabinets/fixtures. Recent weeks cartons and cartons of stuff have been brought in from storage, opened and contents put away in their PAL’s [properly assigned locations].

By happenstance, this new spot is a mere feet from the storage area. So close that transport of stuff can be done with bindery carts in minutes!

We’re almost done! Most cartons have been unpacked, type cases returned to cabinets, and supplies/things sorted and put away. Presently, we’re in the midst of an unexpected chore. . . a complete review of all our inventory lists verses inventory itself. Between packing, transport and unpacking, things have become a bit messed up; working to get it all organized. Once completed, the website will again be activated with the supplies, type and tools you’ve come to enjoy purchasing from us.

We’re excited for two reasons: first, the relocation is almost done! This has been one helluva project for folks in their 80’s. Truly the most emotional and physical stress ever experienced. Second, the new Store is polar opposite of what Chicopee was. Of course, neat, clean and well-organized; but compact and well lit; ground level and temperature controlled (AC and heat!). No “View from the 4th” but a canal system in the area that supported Holyoke’s various paper mills with numberus great spots to view and photograph.

The next posting here in “John’s Blog” will highlight the Store’s interior. As a bit of a tease, here’s our new look outside so you’ll know how to recognize us at #8 Hanover Street in Holyoke, Massachusetts!

John B / JoAnn

Letterpress Things Must Move...

With a touch of sadness yet with great anticipation we announce that Letterpress Things must move from 55 North Chicopee Street

For 23 years here in Chicopee, MA the fourth floor of an old New England mill building has been the repository of “things” letterpress and the destination of 100’s of letterpress practitioners. For many beyond the area, the occasional “View from the 4th “ photos highlighted the scenery to the West, the vagaries of our seasons and offered a sense of being here.

Shortly before Christmas last December, new building owners informed us that our lease would not be renewed. Moreover, the premises would need to be vacated by February 29, 2024. Period! The entire fourth floor and one half the third floor; 10,000 square feet of equipment, cabinets, counters, shelving and “stuff”. All in less than three months!

Once the shock dissipated, and after some very serious discussion, a reprieve of three months may yield an extension until May 31, 2024. And thus, began planning for the next iteration of Letterpress Things – THE STORE!

First and foremost. . . we are not closing! Our intentions are to continue to be the unique resource the letterpress community has come to know and rely on. But. . . we do need to move, and soon! And it’s going to be an intense, physical, short-term effort!

It has started with the third floor being emptied with trash, unnecessary fixtures and scrap metal disposed of. Machines and equipment are now being moved to offsite space for evaluation and photography. An online auction is being established with Paul Brubaker’s “High Bids Win” to run in March. Initial search efforts have begun for an available, appropriate, affordable, and convenient-to-reach location. Once found and contracted for we’ll let you know where.

But business as usual? As best possible! Certainly through the website with supplies, kits, type, icons and other “things” as and when posting can be done. Please understand response time may be a bit longer, depending on day-to-day activities.

Open Dates? We will pick up again in March and April. Most likely none in May; we’ll be getting established in a new location.

Our thanks and appreciation to the letterpress community for all the decades of support, friendship and now going forward, your patience and understanding. This was an event never anticipated. . . frankly it does hurt a bit! We’re the third letterpress entity to experience the hammer of eviction in less than a year. Ken Kowalski, Mark E Sackett. . . we really feel your pain!

As corny as it sounds, with our last name, we will ‘grin and barrett’ and continue on!

Welcome to February!

JoAnn's knee replacement surgery and convalescence is now well behind her!  The surgery went flawlessly; physical therapy early on was a bit rugged, but she has persevered, even now continues to exercise.  In fact, after only eight weeks, she was back on hand last Saturday, greeting friends and visitors during our first Open Date of 2023!

    As for the Store, in early December a long overdue reorganization of the "Front End" began.  Plans were to not open until everything was in "place."  However, great plans sometimes take longer than anticipated.  As January dragged on, it became apparent we had to open for the New Year!  That we did on the 21st and the turnout was beyond expectations! Thanks to all who came by to wish us well.

    The purpose of the reorganization was to centralize the supplies and products seen on eight website pages in one general area on the floor rather than having them scattered throughout the Store.  With the help of some hard-working letterpress elves behind the scenes, more and more "stuff" is being prepared for sale both in-store and online.  

    There's more to be done physically on the floor to set up the "Market Place" plus the cabinet and machine displays.  All are works-in-progress right now.  The website also will soon undergo an exciting platform upgrade.  2023 was seen as a year for growth and expansion; it got here before we were finished and ready.  We've not let up. . . there's more to come soon, stay tuned!

John B/JoAnn

photo: Eric Johnson-DeBaufre

We went West to the Printers Fair in California!

It took us almost three weeks to select, clean, gather, wrap, box and pack up a little more than 1,000 lbs. of type, plates (plus a variety of "one-of-a-kind" items). And as usual, a heaping table full of supplies for the working printer for this weekend’s Los Angeles Printers Fair at the Printing Museum in Carson, CA. This shipment set a Letterpress Things record for variety and weight, so we expect that whatever you think you might need, want, or learn about from some of the best minds in letterpress will be at your fingertips on Saturday and Sunday.

If we can’t entice you to take a trip to our Letterpress Things Store in Chicopee, Massachusetts (Fall is a beautiful time to see the leaves change color in New England) to see more of everything and some additional things you never thought you could take home, stop by during the Fair because there will be tables and tables of things to choose from. Bring your “wish list” too because the holiday season will be upon us very very soon and everyone’s favorite letterpress fanatic surely could use another tube of ink, a box of wood type or an elegant assortment of icons and ornaments (see our website for details).

View fullsize

This is one of the wood fonts we will have for you to see at the fair.

The “ole” man’s heading West…

Finished gathering stuff for the Los Angeles Printer's Fair at The International Printing Museum, 315 W Torrance Blvd, Carson, CA 90745

Six long days organizing, inventorying and pricing. Filled two large gaylords with boxes of supplies all securely packed to travel cross country.

Once the unit was shrunk wrapped and banded, a trucker was called and off it went. Next time it's seen we'll be unpacking and setting up tables at the Fair on Saturday, October 19th and Sunday the 20th.

Hope we'll see you there!

Jo and JB

Finally...

our surgery is scheduled for May 15th!

We’ve been a bit vague about what “our” pending surgery is all about. Family and friends have urged me to finally detail what’s going on. Simply stated, we’re undergoing an open heart procedure for a number of “restrictions” and an aneurysm. Previously planned for March 27th, it was postponed the evening before. An infection was detected, traced to a tooth; as a result 8 teeth ended up being removed. And, an unfortunate aftermath of the extractions was a perforated sinus. All is well at the moment; we’ve healed to where the cardiac team is comfortable going ahead with the procedure on the 15th. We’ve begun the count down and preparation for the second time. I am truly ready!!

This med procedure will have an impact on sales and operations of Letterpress Things for a few months. Word is no driving for 5/6 weeks. No walking up the 4 flights of stairs, opening/closing the elevator doors, and lifting no more than 10 pounds until at least 9/10 weeks out. Follows anticipated times/details through the recovery period:

Open Date — Saturday, May 11th - Last scheduled Open Date until the middle the of August. By early August we hope to have a schedule posted for new Saturday Open Dates for later in August and beyond.

Web Site/Internet orders for supplies, etc. — we anticipate starting to fill orders again by the first of August. July the store is insufferably hot so little labor will be done until first of August. But the upside of so much down time will be organizing and updating the web site’s pages.

Saturday, May 11th — the past few weeks have seen a lot of processing of type, plates, cabinets, presses and machines, supplies and kits/packages. There’s a lot of “first seen” items out on the floor; have just needed to get stuff out from the back room, the 3rd floor and the dark corners. On the OPEN DATES PAGE various items available the 11th will be listed. Time won’t permit us to post many photos. But there are photos of items in the list that have code numbers; happy to upload them if interested. Do bear in mind, Saturday, May 11th is the last Open Date for several months. All sales will need to be taken that day.