A letter dated Sept. 15 was sent to customers of Automated Business Systems (ABS).
“We have decided to retire, and we are closing our business.”
It was signed Jo Ann and Dave Wells.
I contacted Jo Ann about an interview regarding their closure not long after the letter was sent. Initially we discussed options to assist some of the print customers ABS has served for over 40 years in our own printing business.
I never thought of us as competitors in any way, and I don’t believe they did either. We did, however, do similar projects for similar customers. They were my first call when our old dot matrix printer was acting up; we ordered several printers and computers from them over the years – some still in use today. They were quality products, from quality people.
As I sat in the ABS office at Jo Ann’s desk last week for the interview there was one constant as customer after customer came in the door.
Someone came to scan an old photo, pick up laminated menus, a calculator tape – all the things you would imagine at a business supply store.
As customers read the sign, or Jo Ann mentioned the closing, they all had the same reaction – sadness. If they had not heard the news of the closing, they were saddened. If they already knew of the closing, still sad. Sad to see another business close down. Sad to not have a person to speak to directly about a computer problem or supply they needed.
The sadness was a testament to ABS’ service over the years.
When asked what part of the business they would miss most, both Jo Ann and Dave agreed, “it’s the customers.”
“And we have had some of the best employees with us during these 40 years,” said Jo Ann. Around 25 employees and technicians worked with the company over its 40-year history.
One such employee is Rosalie Wright. Wright has been there about 23 years. She moved to Salem in early 1999 and started work at ABS by the fall. She helped when ABS relocated from Fourth Street to its present location on Scenic Rivers Blvd. The building has housed several businesses over the years but non as long as ABS.
When the Wells family moved back to Salem, after Dave retired from the military, he began to work immediately for the business. He joked that he planned to take a few days off, but there was an issue at a school, so he ended up losing that time.
Over the years there have been various jobs completed by ABS, from contracts at schools to office furniture for banks, courts, credit unions, and more.
Of course, business has changed over the past 40 years – perhaps none as much as technology and its advancement.
From typewriters to computers to laptops, copiers, office furniture, office supplies, adding machines, and more, Dave said they followed on philosophy.
“Repeat business is everything – we took care of our people and they kept coming back,” he shared.
“I looked at my serial numbers just the other day,” he chuckled. Jo Ann and I played the guessing game of what number it was. I was a bit closer, but still way off.
“11,050” he shared with a grin.
For those counting, that averages out to around five computers per week for 40 years.
Business was not always as steady. In recent years, COVID put a damper on supply chains in many businesses. Parts were hard to come by, especially for computers.
And the heightened use of online sources for purchases of office supplies and technology changed their business.
“More digital copies, less file cabinets,” they said.
Looking forward, the Wells said they will take time to clean out the remainder of the business after they lock the doors to the public for the final time this Friday.
Rosalie had several offers, and has accepted a position with The Bank of Salem.
Dave has had offers and might pursue one, but for the time being will enjoy a spell of down time. Jo Ann plans to spend more time watching her grandkids at sporting events, volunteering, and serving more time on the museum board.
Dave is most concerned about the clothing options in his closet.
“I’ve worn a uniform since the 1960s, I don’t know what to wear?” he joked.
The Wells will celebrate 50 years of marriage next year, 40 of those at the helm of ABS.
Customers shopping local kept ABS successful over four decades. As more business moves online by the day, it’s the hope of small businesses everywhere that our neighbors continue to look down the street first before purchasing something from halfway across the world.
