by Shai Dhali

The typewriter after a tune-up.

This typewriter used to have compacted dust balls lodged in the keys and the keybars jammed before they reached the ribbon. I wondered if there was still a place to get typewriters tuned-up in 2012.

Fortunately, I found a company in Vancouver and they sent a man in a suit and tie to pick up the typewriter. I thought that kind of service didn’t exist anymore but it turns out that the gentleman thought the same about the 100-yr-old office building that houses Pome Hair Studio. (It has mail chutes.)  A “throw-back” is what he called it. Well, I was admiring his vintage, too. When he stepped into salon he had an authentic whiff of what my generation imitates and labels as the Mad Men era. His name is Mr. Art Skill and he’s been in the typewriter business since 1963  –longer than Canada’s had an official flag. (The country switched from the Union Jack to the Maple Leaf two years later.)

He did a beautiful job on the typewriter and he brought it back within a few days. So if you’ve got a broken typewriter or want a new one, call this man. The whole experience can’t be imitated by younger generations.

Art Skill at Polsons’ Office Products: 604-879-0631

© 2012, PS. Shai Dhali, All rights reserved.