YOUNGSTOWN, Ohio (WKBN) – A local repair shop is closing its doors after more than 80 years in the Youngstown community.
There’s an old saying about family businesses that says people should always be the focus – and for 82 years, the folks at O’Connor’s Sales and Service have lived by that.
“There are some good people here, I can tell you that,” said manager Ron Brownlie.
Brownlie was behind the counter for 46 of those years.
“Believe me, we have loyal customers. They came in the few weeks after they heard we were closing – you stand at the counter and the customer starts crying,” he said.
Owner Don O’Connor isn’t around much these days – he’ll be celebrating his 93rd birthday on September 1st – but the business is still a part of him.
“He tells everyone I’m his son. But I’m not. If it were up to him, he’d be here seven days a week. It was his life,” Brownlie said.
Don O’Connor’s father and brother founded the store in 1938 as “O’Connor’s Sweepers” and it has been located at its current location on Market Street since 1942.
While some of their products and services have changed over the years, there is one thing that has not changed.
“I don’t mind if it takes a little longer. I want the customer to be happy when they walk out the door,” Brownlie said.
But as of August 14, the store has been closed, ending its decades-long operation in Youngstown as everyone retires.
“It was hard. It just came all at once. We’ve been talking about it for the last six months, but in the last month it really hit me,” Brownlie said.
Now the store is quiet and empty. What he will miss most are the loyal customers who make the store hum.
“Especially during the holidays, ‘Oh, I have to have it tomorrow.’ I said, OK, we’ll see what we can do. And then they bring a cake over. I got a cake the other day. I get cookies – like I need them. They’re nice people here.”
After taking service calls and filling orders, Brownlie’s to-do list looks pretty empty in the near future.
“I’m going to enjoy life. I’ve seen several relatives who worked all their lives and then they’re gone. I’m going to see what retirement is like.”
After so many years of hard work, it is a task he looks forward to.
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