I love discovering local California shops that allow me to dive deep into one of my passions. I recently shared a cool stationery shop based in SoCal; today I am sharing Berkeley Typewriter with you. I’ve really enjoyed getting into “analog tools” as the cool kids call them 🙂 This includes fountain pens, Japanese paper, and now, a beautiful 1935 Smith Corona Silent typewriter.
The typewriter originates from Dear Husband’s family; it was his grandfather’s. And it has been sitting into our garage, in its original case, for years. A quick search on the typewriter database, along with its serial number, yielded its year of manufacture- 1935! And although it was working (sort of), I knew it would benefit from a tune-up and certainly a new ribbon. That’s where Berkeley Typewriter steps in…well, not quite yet.
How I found Berkeley Typewriter
I had recently seen the documentary on Amazon Video called “California Typewriter” and taking my typewriter there was my original plan. The documentary focuses on a small typewriter repair shop in Berkeley called California Typewriter and the community of typewriter-lovers who support it. I’m sharing the trailer below- it is well worth a watch, even if you aren’t in the market for a typewriter. There is a bittersweet feel to it; it reflects the passing of time and an end to an era, certainly, but there’s also hope. As more people get interested in using non-digital tools, typewriters and other such tools are making a comeback.
Alas, a bit of googling let me know that the shop closed in March 2020, after 70 years of business. Where to go for a tune-up? Luckily Berkeley Typewriter, not too far away, is still open and seems to be doing decent business. And lucky me, after my typewriter was returned, I noticed it had been serviced by Ken Alexander, who worked at California Typewriter for many years. He figures prominently in the documentary. I felt a little star-struck when I saw him in the backroom of the repair shop- too shy to ask for his autograph 🙂
A visit to the repair shop
The shop is just what you might expect of a typewriter repair shop- filled with typewriters, parts, cases, and general disarray. I liked the look and feel of it; this is a real workshop. It may look messy, but I’m sure they know exactly where everything is.
Joe Banuelos is the owner of Berkeley Typewriter. He took a close look at my 1935 beauty and informed me that the Smith Corona Silent is Tom Hank’s favorite typewriter model. Another brush with fame!
After Joe and I discussed the tune-up (new ribbon, general cleaning, fixing the bell), I took a look around the shop. If you had asked me 2 weeks ago if I would be interested in owning more than one typewriter, I would have called you crazy. But now, I’m not so sure… that Olivetti looks pretty cool! Wouldn’t a 1960s beautiful Italian be a perfect companion to my elderly yet spry American model? Dear Husband is shaking his head as he reads this 🙂
So fun to look at the various models Joe has for sale… I liked the red IBM Selectric the most; I remember using that very model back in my youth.
My new-to-me typewriter is back home
As promised, I picked up the Smith Corona from Berkeley Typewriter a week later. And she is a beauty! Shiny black paint with a crisp new ribbon. I was so thrilled that I trotted off without taking another look at the typewriters for sale in the side room. Oh well, for another day!
It’s been such fun to play around with the freshened-up typewriter. I’ve been writing up little notes for the family, leaving them on their pillows. And I used it to write a letter this weekend for Letters Against Isolation. They coordinate volunteers who send letters to isolated seniors. Hopefully the senior who receives my letter will appreciate the use of a typewriter and ignore my frequent typos!
Typewriting ticks so many boxes for me- it’s a creative outlet and it makes me think about the passage of time and the people who have used this fine machine over the decades. And it allows me to support small California shops like Berkeley Typewriter. Hopefully there will always be people who want to use typewriters, and we all want places like Berkeley Typewriter to be in business when we need them. Support your local small businesses, y’all!
Berkeley Typewriter, 1823 University Avenue, Berkeley, CA 94703
How fun for you. I was born and raised in Berkeley, and spent lots of time in the stores on University and Shattuck Avenues.
There really are some great small shops, aren’t there? I am looking forward to exploring more of them over the coming months!
This is a great post sister. I love the way you are developing/evolving/discovering during this crazy time. I enjoy wat Hong and reading about it!
Thanks Kate! We are all just trying to make the best of this time. Can’t wait to see you soon!