It was just about a year ago that we closed the books on Tower Printers/Tower Records of Illinois/Tower Publications. A sad day indeed, as my Father In-Law, at around 50, started the business back in 1973 as a Sir Speedy. He left the Sir Speedy franchise behind and became Tower Instant Press and then Tower Printers. They dropped the "Instant" when people 'really' wanted the job yesterday!!
Hubby went to work at Tower right out of high school. Taught himself the printing angle of the business while FIL handled the business end ~ it worked very well for 35 years!!! Hubby bought the business back in the 90's and in 2000 brought it into Lombard with a prime location right on Main St. across from Mr. Z's! My father in-law, even though he was retired, worked at the shop every morning. I began working there around 2004 to help out and I loved spending the mornings with him ~ the stories he can tell!
The whole printing industry is just not what is was at one time with the Internet and all. We closed the storefront and moved the business to our home. Hubby brokered during this time and well it just didn't work out...
So with one door closing another opened ~ I found a job at Glenbard Township Dist 87 (thanks to a dear friend!) and hubby, who at about the same age as his father was, changed professions and went to work in Arizona and then Denver for about 7 months. We both started our 'new' jobs on August 3, 2009.
Although we felt fortunate that he was working ~ it was a trying time as he was gone for 2 weeks at a time, home for 3 days and then gone again. Thank goodness for our kids here and of course our dear friends. It was a tough decision but we were going to make the move to Denver. We thought that we had to move where the job was ~ but when we really thought everything out we just couldn't do it. Couldn't leave the area where we both have lived for 40 years, our kids and the dearest of friends. Our house wasn't selling and financially with the economy we were looking at loosing a ton. So with happy hearts we announced we were staying!!! We are able to remain in our home that is filled with 24 years of memories, see our kids and grandbaby here frequently, see the parents weekly and enjoy our many friends.
With that ~ another door closed ~ and after a couple of weeks another opened! Hubby found a job here selling cars for Ford. It's not the perfect job but he's employed! He knows this isn't the job he wants to stay in ~ how can someone who has worked a profession for 35 years switch into something else at the drop of a hat?????
A year ago I know we were grieving the loss of our lively hood ~ feeling that we were at a point in our lives with the kids grown and most on their own that we should be able to do more for 'us'. With time comes healing and we've come to realize and accept that we are just one of many who are in this "economic" disaster and together we will get through it. The simplicity of just being at home, watching a movie together, spending more time with family and friends has made a come back. Don't get me wrong I'd love to eat out at the places that we've frequented for so many years but it's okay cause until another door opens ~ pizza and game night have won out!!!
