ON THE JOB: Albany Typewriter Exchange has evolved over time

ALBANY — Driving down Cleveland Street, you might have noticed a small building tucked behind Glover Alignment and Brake Service. That’s Albany Typewriter Exchange. You might think, “Typewriters in this day of technology? Really?”

Don’t let the name fool you. The late Cecil Gibbs entered the business in the 1930s. It’s now run by his son, Lester, and Lester’s wife, Kay Gibbs. The couple has transformed the company, evolving along with technology — even if the official name is still rooted in the ’30s.

The Gibbses have never considered changing the name.

“We’ve been Albany Typewriter Exchange since 1936,” Kay Gibbs said. “Lester’s dad worked here from the age of 16 until the day before he had to go to the hospital. He was 86 the last day he came to work. We just don’t want to change the name.”

The only concession to the present is a shortening of the name to ATEx. But the signage on the building will not change, at least not while the Gibbses are still around.

While you can still pick up an antique typewriter or two, the company specializes in POS (point of sale) systems for grocery stores and convenience stores; electronic scales for meat markets, delis and produce departments; in addition to currency scales, video surveillance systems and ATMs.

“Grocery stores are kind of a unique niche,” Lester Gibbs said. “A lot of people sell this equipment, but they are probably in Atlanta, Birmingham and Tampa — larger cities. Most of of our customers are small, independent grocery stores. I’ve been in the business for more than 40 years. We sold a lot of supplies (to individuals) then. But it’s shifted toward restaurants and grocery store software, scales and scanning equipment.”

But that hasn’t stopped customers from dropping in and asking about typewriters.

“I just sold a ribbon for an IBM wheel typewriter that had been refurbished,” Kay Gibbs said. “Lots of people still use typewriters, like lawyers’ offices and tax offices. When you have to type something with multiple forms and stuff, you just can’t do it on a computer. I’ve had a lot of people tell me, ‘Oh, I’m so glad you are here because I didn’t know where I was going to get a typewriter ribbon.’

“I love the little old typewriters. There’s not a lot of money in them right now; I mean some are, but I just find them interesting.”

So, what keeps the Gibbses coming to work each day?

“This a 24-hour job, seven days a week sometimes,” Lester Gibbs said. “But I like to get a store up and scanning. It’s gratification to me.”

Kay Gibbs agrees.

“I like to think we help our customers by doing the best job for them,” she said. “The best equipment, software, technicians and service. And we are always available to them. They become our friends.”

When they business first opened in 1936, it specialized in adding machines, then evolved into typewriters and eventually to POS scanners and software systems.

“I never thought I’d see the business evolving to where technology is today,” Lester Gibbs said. “Thirty years ago, we basically sold cash registers. But now the business changes so fast — and I’m talking about every day. We really don’t know what’s coming next.”

But one thing’s for certain: As long as the Gibbses own the business, it will always be Albany Typewriter Exchange.