Somewhere off the side of a long and winding highway in Wisconsin is a little shop owned by Old Man Stan. (I prefer to keep it’s location private) He has big sign outside the small little garage building to catch your attention as you drive by going 45mph. If you go up to the door and it’s locked with the lights out, there is a note on the door that tells you to go to a little blue house about 30 yards back, where you can find the garage that was remodeled with the best garage renovation ideas online.
If you knock on the door and Stan is home he will come to the door and greet you. Once you tell him you want to go check out his little shop, he goes back in his little blue home to grab is jacket and small money bag and then escorts you to the shop through the back door, that is in his garage, he even have some good garage door opener some is comfortable to access when he take people there.
Stan is a weathered old man with a long white beard. His walking stride is almost like a waddle, but it’s one he has progressed into with his old age. He seems to live a simple life. One that I actually admire very much. His curiosity, patience and content nature is really inspiring to me. I can only imagine the life that he lived.
Stan’s little shop is full of so many things. Many of those things are lost and forgotten by most of us. Many of the items are from times before I was born. I am 25 years old to give you some reference. When you enter the shop you feel like you are in a different time.
Trinkets, lamps, suitcases, photos in frames, paintings, pots and pans, meat grinders, golf clubs, unopened beer from 1996, deer antler mounts, fishing gear, kitchen utensils, old steins, clocks and so many gadgets from yesteryears line the shelves all around his shop. He even has adds for lawn equipment lining his desk area which has an old school cash register too.
My friend Brendan had been there before and was the one that showed us the place. Brendan had purchased some fantastic paintings from Stan within the last year. I remember Brendan telling me that he would find things in the store and Stan would simply price them on the spot. He would price them damn cheap too. He appreciated the fact that you came and and wanted to give you a great deal. I’m sure he wanted to move product, but you could tell he wants you to be able to obtain something you really like without having to empty your wallet.
Stan doesn’t accept credit, debit or checks. Cash only. Straight up old school. I admire that. I’m sure he has many reasons, but I love a good old mom and pop type of business model which has realistic customer service goals. You can’t spend money you don’t have with you when you shop in Stan’s place.
Even when items were priced he would cut you a deal. I found an old photograph print about the size of a poster that was a multiple exposure of a business man with a suitcase walking through a building with escalators and water rushing down and across the room. It was really awesome to see experimental work from an older era in photography. I had to have it. IT was priced around three dollars and when I brought it up to the register, Stan gave a quick look at it and said, “$1.75.”
I thought to myself, “Really? It’s not big deal, I’ll pay the full three.” I even told him it said three dollars on the tag and he still said “$1.75.” I felt slightly overwhelmed with kindness from him. Despite the small revenue he is making, he took the cut to give me what I wanted at nearly no cost to me. I honestly would have paid $10 for that print. It is that cool to me.
Stan taught something that day. Whether it’s your customers, your clients, your friends or anyone you work with, it is so important to give and take care of them. Give them what they want and even more. I am a customer for life now. I plan on going back again as long as that old man lives. It may not be much longer, but it’s something grand.
