Zearing Computer Tech and Radio Shack marks 25 years

Lou Zearing, owner of Zearing Computer Tech and Radio Shack in Princeton, found some interesting antiques and odds and ends in the upstairs of his building on North Main Street that he displays on shelves in his store that is celebrating its 25th year of business in 2008. (BCR photo/Lyle Ganther)

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PRINCETON — Customers who are loyal and come back again and again have kept the doors open to Zearing Computer Tech and Radio Shack, a business that is marking its 25th year of existence in 2008.

“We started out selling computers to banks and other offices,” said owner Lou Zearing. “We would call on businesses to sell them computers and software. The store, which wasn’t more than an office, wasn’t a large part of our business then.”

A lot of computer stores have come and gone over the years that Zearing has been owning and running Zearing Computer Tech. He estimates about eight to nine different stores have opened and closed their doors during his 25 years of being in business.

“I am still doing it,” he said. “I own the building, and that helps with keeping overhead down.”

The buildings on North Main Street where Zearing Computer Tech and Radio Shack are located used to be a part of Priestley Hardware, which was owned by Zearing’s great-grandfather and grandfather from 1880 to when it was closed in the early 1980s.

A portion of the former hardware store is now occupied by Beetz Me. It had been the Paper Horse and Ladder and Bin prior to the latest business.

Zearing’s father, mother and sister helped run Ladder and Bin before they sold it to Lou Zearing.

Zearing said the upstairs portion of the buildings had been apartments and a tin shop run by Max Morel. Zearing found many antiques and other interesting odds and ends up there when he was remodeling the apartment. Those items are now on display on shelves in Zearing Computer Tech.

“It makes the store a little more interesting,” he said. “I call it the most unique Radio Shack because of those items.”

Zearing said his loyal customer base comes from not only Princeton, but also from surrounding towns like Walnut, Wyanet or Lake Thunderbird to name a few.

“We bought a Radio Shack franchise in 2000. Our business is now split about 50-50 between the computers and Radio Shack.”

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