Gramercy Typewriter Co. stands frozen in time in a city that never sleeps and rarely slows down. Tucked away in Manhattan, New York City’s last typewriter repair shop remains untouched by modern screens and blinking cursors. Inside are no computers, just rows of vintage machines and the gentle clack of metal keys.
“I prefer to type someone a letter over an email any day,” says typewriter technician Jay Schweitzer, who now runs the family business. “It’s a beautiful sound. I mean, there’s nothing like it.”
A Legacy of Craftsmanship
The shop, founded in 1932 by Schweitzer’s grandfather Abraham, was passed down to his father Paul, now 87, who still shows up to work daily.
“Retirement was never something to consider,” Jay notes. “He slowed it down a bit, but he enjoys what he does and looks forward to being at that workbench every day.”
While many repair businesses switched to copiers, printers, or computers, Gramercy remained committed to one machine—the typewriter. Jay believes that decision made all the difference.
Built to Last
Today, the shop sells 40 to 50 typewriters monthly, many sourced from now-defunct stores across the region. Jay sees a stark contrast between today’s disposable tech and the machines he repairs.
“I don’t come across too many people that say, ‘I’m going to go get my laptop fixed.’ It’s just not cost-effective. So, you get a number of years out of it — the operating systems are getting old and not keeping up, and you have to buy new,” Jay explains. “That doesn’t happen here,” he added.
Instead, the typewriters are built to outlast generations, becoming tools and heirlooms.
A Hollywood Boost
The shop’s dedication hasn’t gone unnoticed. Its vintage inventory has been loaned out for film and stage productions, including The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel and Steven Spielberg’s The Post. Most recently, their machines were featured in the Broadway show Good Night and Good Luck, starring George Clooney.
Clooney’s involvement has brought fresh attention to the store, providing a welcome lift to a business operating in an ever-shrinking niche. Boston’s last typewriter shop closed this month, leaving Gramercy as one of the few remaining in the country.
From One Generation to the Next
Jay, now 57, recalls spending his childhood summers at the shop, learning the ropes from his father.
“Things like spool ribbons,” he says of his early tasks.
Back then, every desk had a typewriter. As computers took over, the Schweitzers chose not to adapt, a decision rooted in principle and practicality.
“It was already a very oversaturated business,” Jay said of competitors shifting to computers. “My dad didn’t feel that it was time at his age to start learning something new.”
A Revival in Sight
Today, interest in typewriters spans generations. From longtime enthusiasts to curious children, the machines are finding new fans. Parents often bring their young kids to the store after seeing typewriters in movies or on stage, happy to invest in a screen-free alternative.
“Regardless of the reason that they’re getting a typewriter, one thing’s for sure,” Jay adds. “Even when they’re not being used and they’re sitting on a desk or a piece of furniture, they look beautiful — probably the best-looking thing somebody has in their home or office — and will continue to be readily available to be used for decades to come.”
Against the odds, and with some help from Hollywood, Gramercy Typewriter Co. continues to press on, offering a cherished experience to people of every generation.
