[Boatanchors] Another Parts Store Closes...

[The Pollacks]

Part of the key is one phrase in your story, "I had not been there for a few
years."  During those years have you ordered parts "on line" that perhaps
ABC could have supplied?

Having retired from the retail business, I'm acutely aware of the
competition from online shopping.  It's convenient, and often less costly
than than the "brick and mortar" guys, but if you want them to be there when
you need them, they depend on your patronage for the common purchases.

Many years ago I was on the Board of Trustees of a rural county hospital.
Many prospective patients used hospitals in a large city 80 miles away for
"routine" and non emergency care.  But, when they awoke at 3 AM and couldn't
breathe, or had chest pains, they expected that hospital to be there!

Certainly this is not the only cause of the closing of specialty stores of
all kinds, and I do not mean to be accusatory; I use internet vendors, too.
But, when bemoaning the loss of a business that one hasn't patronized in
years, perhaps a look in the mirror is in order!

Ron K2RP

-----Original Message-----
From: Boatanchors [mailto:boatanchors-bounces at puck.nether.net] On Behalf Of
William
Sent: Sunday, August 30, 2015 6:53 AM
To: boatanchor
Subject: [Boatanchors] Another Parts Store Closes...

Hello All,

I have to 'let it all out'.  Call the following a rant, excess whining,
loads of lamentations, or whatever.

Last week I had a 'Dad's Day Out' with my father to have breakfast and stop
by an electronics shop in Minneapolis.  The store was ABC Electronics
(http://www.yelp.com/biz/abc-electronics-minneapolis) and I had not been
there for a few years.  I figured my dad and I could poke around for a
while.

After a great breakfast at Louisiana Cafe (http://newlouisianacafe.com/)
where heart attacks are served on large plates, we zipped over to
Minneapolis only to find out that ABC was closed for inventory.

Well, actually closed for more than inventory purposes.  After the initial
disappointment of seeing the sign stating they were closed - which of course
was after we paid for parking - we poked our heads in the door and spoke to
the manager.  He mentioned the place is closing its doors and everything was
already bought out by another firm.

On the plus side:  The company that purchased the entire lot was Ax Man
Surplus (http://www.ax-man.com/).  A fun store with lots of odds and ends.

On the down side:  There is no way all of the stuff from ABC will be able to
be set out on the shelves at Ax Man for all to see as their stores are
already quite crowded.  Thus I fear the ABC inventory will be stuck in a
warehouse and parcelled out over the coming years.

So the past few years have seen the following:
*  ABC Electronics closed.  

*  Radio repair shop on Prior Avenue in St. Paul closed.  This place was run
by Paul March, a true gentleman, who has retired.  His shop was only open a
couple hours during the week and a few hours on Saturday mornings, but it
was filled to the gills with all sorts of cool stuff.

*  Marty's Second Hand Store on University Ave in St. Paul closed (RIP,
Marty).  This was a true junk store that would have a true treasure every so
often.  Marty was a crusty old soul with a heart of gold.
(http://www.twincities.com/localnews/ci_27612233/st-paul-martys-second-hand-
store-close-its)

*  This year's HAM swap meet normally held in the 3M parking lot was
cancelled at the last minute and now needs to find a new location for next
year (http://www.skywarn.ampr.org/tailgate.html).

I did receive a recommendation to check out Leeds Radio in Brooklyn from one
of the Boatanchor folks a couple years back.  I was able to visit the place
(heaven on earth), but I now see he has moved shop to the Bronx.  Not sure
when I will be able to make it over there from Minnesota.

Kutztown is too far away, too.

I recognize things change, people pass, and capitalist economics does not
always suit the small-time hobbyist.  My hope is that I will still have
access to parts and suggestions on how to use them... and for that, I will
thank the Boatanchor community in advance.

Thanks for reading.  

Best Regards,

William
 		 	   		  
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