WA8FOZ
05-05-2007, 07:31 PM
From The Ann Arbor Observer, May, 2007
“CLOSINGS:
“Purchase Radio Supply was started by ham radio operator Roy Purchase (W8RP) in 1930; his daughter OlaJeanne McCollough, inherited it in 1986, and her husband, Dan (WB8UXO)…is its last manager. ‘Van’s Electronics in Ida (MI), neat Dundee has bought all the inventory,’ says Dan…..In later years, Purchase became more of a specialty business dealing in antique and supplying parts to ham radio operators.”
Purchase Radio, a traditional yet unique radio store in Ann Arbor, has closed. This was expected; Dan WB8UXO told me last fall that this was coming. The retail electronics business, especially for specialized markets (e.g., us) has been rough for a long time. Purchase was an institution in its region. Generations of hams, from OTs to the greenest newbies benefited from is products as well as the wisdom and kindness of its staff. They had a great run.
Roy W8RP was a true pioneer, a friend of John Kraus,W8JK. Many of us impecunious students were the beneficiaries of Roy’s cheap prices and easy credit when we bought our first gear. And many other markets, from commercial to university labs, also depended on Purchase.
http://www.mlive.com/busines....&coll=2 (http://www.mlive.com/business/aanews/index.ssf?/base/business-5/1171554165223990.xml&coll=2)
The inventory was unbelievable, and I am grateful that someone picked it up. Just to visit the store was an experience.
http://www.flickr.com/photos/vox/464137333/
And so it goes.
73 all,
Bill WA8FOZ
“CLOSINGS:
“Purchase Radio Supply was started by ham radio operator Roy Purchase (W8RP) in 1930; his daughter OlaJeanne McCollough, inherited it in 1986, and her husband, Dan (WB8UXO)…is its last manager. ‘Van’s Electronics in Ida (MI), neat Dundee has bought all the inventory,’ says Dan…..In later years, Purchase became more of a specialty business dealing in antique and supplying parts to ham radio operators.”
Purchase Radio, a traditional yet unique radio store in Ann Arbor, has closed. This was expected; Dan WB8UXO told me last fall that this was coming. The retail electronics business, especially for specialized markets (e.g., us) has been rough for a long time. Purchase was an institution in its region. Generations of hams, from OTs to the greenest newbies benefited from is products as well as the wisdom and kindness of its staff. They had a great run.
Roy W8RP was a true pioneer, a friend of John Kraus,W8JK. Many of us impecunious students were the beneficiaries of Roy’s cheap prices and easy credit when we bought our first gear. And many other markets, from commercial to university labs, also depended on Purchase.
http://www.mlive.com/busines....&coll=2 (http://www.mlive.com/business/aanews/index.ssf?/base/business-5/1171554165223990.xml&coll=2)
The inventory was unbelievable, and I am grateful that someone picked it up. Just to visit the store was an experience.
http://www.flickr.com/photos/vox/464137333/
And so it goes.
73 all,
Bill WA8FOZ