by Mary-Kate Roan
Staff Writer
Jay Cann, president of Kwikprint located on Victor Street, is what one might call a “pack rat.” By definition, a pack rat is one who collects discarded memorabilia.
They often find themselves sticking up for their obsessive collection of randomness and Cann’s office as this week’s Workspace is no exception. He lives by the motto that one man’s junk is another man’s treasure.
“I have a lot of junk,” said Cann, presenting an office full of an odd mixture of memories and collector’s items. “My wife always yells at me for all this stuff.”
But to call the facilities of Kwikprint full of junk would be inaccurate. Actually, there are a number of things of historical significance donning the walls of Cann’s office as well as throughout the building.
From antique machinery that can still do the job – to which Cann says “they don’t make them like they use to” – to old photographs – which Cann took himself as he is an avid photographer, the walls of Kwikprint are full of clutter.
Even the building has some history to it.
“This was the third building to be built here,” said Cann. “It was started by my dad and grandfather.”
There have been changes in staffing and in the name. Kwikprint was originally named the Halvorfold-Kwikprint Company after Cann’s grandfather and founder of the company Olaf Halvorsen.
As of 1984 it’s just Kwikprint. Halvorsen also developed, manufactured and patented the Kwikprint Gold Stamping machine. Though the patent has run out the machines are still in use.
Cann is even happy to report that business this year has been better when compared to last year, a feat that not many people can say with the current economic conditions.
“It’s better in that we’re getting bigger orders from bigger customers,” said Cann. “But our smaller orders are less than last year.”
Cann is modest when he admits that his machines are used by Walt Disney Company, Louis Vitton and other companies of similar nature that need to constantly stamp logos onto items.
He’s actually a fan of Disney collector’s items and has several framed collector’s item posters in his office. It just adds to the clutter of his office, which causes yet another remark from his wife.
However, the best remark he has ever heard is:
“I’m not collecting junk, I’m building character.”
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