Halloween Happenings

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October 31st, a fun day at the store!

Everyone who came in left with a Halloween bag of letterpress treats.

 

 

Visitors included a photographer looking for still life props and a few of our "regulars" who just like to stop in to see what's new. It was really nice to have a group from the Women's Studio Workshop in Rosendale, NY.

Their operation and programs are very impressive!

 

 

A special greeting to Angie and Daniel from Nova Scotia; they operate a letterpress print shop in downtown Halifax. 

The minivan had some weight going back home.

 

 
 

 

But the best of all; Darrell Hyder of Sun Hill Press dropped by with one of his latest projects. A multi-colored press sheet sampling quite a number of his personal wood type fonts!

Check out the photo (Darrell is the guy on the left).

 

 
 
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It's been hot on the 4th floor at the store, challenging to spend much time processing up there. And there is new inventory to process; an entire truckload, two small basement shops retrieved on one of the hottest days of August.

Stay tuned for the "back" story and photos of what it takes to get the "stuff"

 
 

 

A number 'pressers took advantage of The Mass. State Tax Free Weekend, especially Sunday when the weather was a bit nicer.

Note the puddles from several downpours on Saturday.

 

 
 

 

Again, vacationers were welcomed to the store. Reggie, from Minnesota and staying with friends in Connecticut, came by to poke around and enjoy finding all sorts of supplies and treasures for his growing shop.

 

 
 

 

The visit almost ended in disaster when his friends car just wouldn't start. That is, not until after AAA was called, a tow truck dispatched, then it mysteriously fired right up. 

But all's well that ends well!

 

 

Vacations and Visitors

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Well, vacation and the typical hot, humid days of July are behind us. The Barrett's took in the 4th of July festivities at the International Printing Museum in Carson, CA.

 
 

 It was a day of "hands on" on a variety of their presses with lots of visitors. The day topped off with plenty of hot dogs, lemonade and apple pie.

 
 

    The store reopened on Saturday, July 25th.  Despite being on the warm side, a steady flow of visitors continued all day. More than half were either en-route to or returning from vacation and had set their GPS for Chicopee. Letterpressers came from Michigan, Washington State, Central New York, Virginia and Pennsylvania. The furthest was a fellow from Prince Edward Island!

    As in past years, we try to accommodate travelers during the week. This year is no different with one or two people a week wondering if it's possible to stop for an just hour or two on a week day. Just a couple of days ago Brothers of St. Alben drove directly from Berkeley, CA to the store to visit and purchase supplies and type.

 
 

    To anyone traveling through Western Mass. this weekend (the 15th and 16th) we hope you'll plan to stop in. Big benefit is Massachusetts' annual "No Sales Tax" weekend. It's a chance to pickup some extra goodies without paying a sales tax. Stay safe out there. . .