Open for business: 'Siblings open print shop in Peabody museum
Open house is Sunday
Staff reporter
Timing can be everything. Sometimes things just fall in place and a person knows he's made the right decision.
Such is the case of the Marshall family.
Twin brothers, Jacob and Joshua, and sister Elizabeth were considering opening a printing business in Pettigrew, Ark. They saw the Peabody Printing Museum on a web site and decided to drive to Peabody to take a look at the equipment.
"When we arrived in town, the museum was locked up," said Jacob. The siblings went to Mayesville Mercantile. Marilyn Jones was called and she came and opened the museum.
"We were so impressed with the museum," Jacob said, and the community.
As the threesome headed for home, the thought crossed their minds to open their business in Peabody and to do it in the museum.
Plans began to fall in place — high speed Internet access, availability of a rental house, and willingness of local people to consider the business opportunity. By May 6, the family was in Peabody.
"The museum will remain non-profit," said Jacob. The printing business will operate out of the museum. In return for using the museum space, the business owners will provide tours and be open to the public to view the museum.
The business provides printing of special-order items some printers can no longer provide.
"We can use heavier paper," said Jacob. The business specializes in business cards, letterhead, envelopes, and invitations.
The young brothers have gained their knowledge of old printers from books and the Internet. They do not want to see the art of printing die.
"We want to provide workshops and seminars to teach people," said Jacob. After all, he is hoping his business may require more employees who will need to be trained.
He also wants to work with Wichita State University to start a workshop for students.
Elizabeth is a graphic artist and has had a graphic design business via the Internet. She plans to relocate to Missouri after she gets married but will continue to provide design services to the company.
Until the business gets off the ground, Jacob works part-time at Tabor College as a groundskeeper. Joshua works at Mennonite Press, Inc., in Newton.
The brothers are hopeful the business will grow and will require both to work full-time at the print shop.
"It takes five years and patience to get a business off the ground," said Jacob.
An open house to celebrate the museum's grand re-opening will be held from 2:30 to 4 p.m. Sunday at the museum at 210 N. Walnut.
Jacob wants to introduce his family to supporters of the museum and residents who have contributed to the museum.
"Items were donated quickly to the museum which didn't allow much time for them to be arranged," said Jacob. He is in the process of rearranging to make the best possible displays.
Moving 1,000-pound antique presses and other printing equipment is no easy fete. He has borrowed a pallet jack from Peabody Market and a hoist from Kris Teaford. But the process remains slow.
So the transplants from Pettigrew, population 150, are excited and optimistic about their business future — using historic printers for their business and educating people about the art of printing.
"Peabody has a great bunch of people," said Jacob. "The biggest draw to living in Peabody is the people."
