Dundalk Businesses Carve Out a Niche in Repair Work

My friend David who works at Severstal (Bethlehem Steel in Sparrows Point) and I have an ongoing dialogue about how America has become a disposable society. Did your TV stop working? Well, it’s time to make a trip to the county landfill.

I thought my dad was loopy when I would hear him having this same discussion (with himself), cursing under his breath, as he attempted to repair my cassette recorder for the third time in a year.

“Nothing lasts the way it used to,” he said, among other things.

David and I have known each other since high school, and we have found ourselves having the same talks our parents had back in the day. The same issues have become magnified.

It’s almost cheaper to buy a new product than it is to repair your original good, particularly when it comes to electronics. That’s mainly because no one wants to repair broken products anymore. It’s just not a glamorous occupation.

Smart entrepreneurs have been listening in on these conversations. They know that some goods can’t be replaced so easily whether because of cost or because of sentimental reasons. For those goods, local business owners have taken up the cause of repairing and restoring items. Here are some in the area (beyond auto and basic home repair stores) that have made it a practice of giving first aid to a person’s dying products:

The Doll House. Mary Ann Carter loves dolls and started her business, The Doll House, in 1987 to feed her own passion. She sells porcelain dolls, antique dolls, doll houses, furniture and costumes in her booth within the North Point Plaza Flea Market. In addition, she provides a doll repair service tracking down parts to restore your special doll to its original condition.

FYI: The Doll House, 2401 North Point Blvd., 410-288-9606

Charlie’s Pro Shop & Cue

With at least three pool halls in the immediate  area, it’s safe to say people are partial to pool in Dundalk. The true fan has a favorite pool stick, a “lucky” pool stick, if you will. When you’ve worn out your luck, Charlie’s can bring it back to life.

FYI: Charlie’s Pro Shop & Cue Repair, 2401 North Point Blvd., 410-288-6990

RTI Jewelers

New diamond rings will catch your eye in the shop, but this business also knows you value your older jewelry. They offer a wholesale watch repair site at the back of the store, in addition to jewelry repair.

FYI: RTI Jewelers, 11 Center Pl., 410-282-5031

WeFixLeather.com

This is an online-based business that repairs leather and vinyl upholstery, including furniture for homes, offices, cars, boats, and aircraft seating.
FYI: www.wefixleather.com/maryland/dundalk_md/index.htm

Clarke’s Express Shoe Repair

With all of that walking backwards up hills during snow storms, we wear out a lot shoes. Some people think nothing of running out and grabbing a pair at Target in three different colors, but the fact is as people age and develop foot problems, it’s not so easy (or cheap) to buy footwear. With 25 years in business, Clarke’s has dealt with orthotics, diabetic insoles and special needs shoes. Clarke’s also dyes shoes, repairs zippers and repairs suitcases and coats.

FYI: 6920 Holabird Ave., 410-284-2458, www.clarkesshoerepair.com

DJ’s Electronics TV Repair

Nothing is more maddening than the intermittent TV problem, especially in an over-sized set. Since 1990 when DJ’s set up shop in Dundalk, it launched a business around TV and sewing machine repair. As an added bonus, they’ll send someone to your home or business if necessary. First time customers get a 10 percent break.

FYI: DJ’s Electronics TV Repair, 1718 Kirkland Rd., 443-846-3004

 Eleet’s Appliance Repair

According to Eleet’s website: “While appliances have many different characteristics and purposes, one factor is common among all of them: they are expensive and can be very difficult to replace. While you can typically replace a microwave relatively easily, buying a new refrigerator can be much more difficult, especially if you’re on a tight budget.”  The company features some perks: free estimates with repairs, as well as discounts for seniors and military.

FYI: Eleet Appliance Repair, 443-600-9812; E-mail: jgrandnationaljk@gmail.com

Gray Manor Cleaners, Inc.

When a person loses that elusive dress or pants size, it’s cause to celebrate, but unless he has the money to spend on a new wardrobe, it can be disheartening. Gray Manor Cleaners offers alternation services and repairs to clothing you just aren’t ready to give up on yet.

FYI: Gray Manor Cleaners, Inc., 2727 North Point Rd., 410-288-9723

The true entrepreneur spots a need, then fills it. Americans went through a phase where everything had to be new. As time went on, people started clinging to (broken) sentimental items, but had nowhere to take them for repair. As more time passed and money became an issue, even more people needed an alternative to running down to the discount store to replace an item. Small business owners heard the call. If you have a broken object, odds are you’ll find someone nearby who can fix it.