Today we’d like to introduce you to Alan Finger.
Thanks for sharing your story with us Alan. So, let’s start at the beginning, and we can move on from there.
I grew up at the end of the “golden age of radio” in the 1950’s and was always fascinated by radio and electronics. I eventually became an electrical engineer and drifted into the computer and software industry but maintained my interest.
Now for the story: When I met my wife, Jane, some 20 years ago, she and her mother were avid antiquers and, being a good husband would drive them on their weekend treks. One day, Jane saw me standing in the middle of the store with a bored expression and suggested that it might be fun to get an old radio and see if I could get it working again. She was right: It was fun, and I’ve been doing it ever since.
At first, I just did for my own radios, keeping some and selling others on eBay and local radio shows (yes there are such things — check out the New England Antique Radio Club at www.nearc.net). Later, when friends found out what I was doing, it seemed everyone had an old radio or phonograph that a relative had left them and wouldn’t it be great to have it working again.
Suddenly a had a nice little part-time business! Now it’s 15 years later, and I am retired from the software business and restoring antique radios, photographs, as well as vintage car radios and Hi-Fi equipment for people throughout New England. Of course, radio stations are not what they used to be so many radios get a Bluetooth “upgrade” to give them a new useful life.
How have you grown the business over time?
I’ve been very lucky. This is a business that grew organically with relatively little effort on my part. Marketing has been primarily through word of mouth and some fun trivia contests on Facebook.
We’d love to hear more about your business.
Golden Age Radios specializes in the repair, restoration, and sale of antique and vintage electronics. Unlike conventional electronics repair shops, we have the specialized equipment and know-how to service and restore the beautiful wood and Bakelite radios and phonographs of the 1920’s, 30”s, and 40’s as well as early and mid-century Hi-Fi equipment.
We use the finest contemporary components where appropriate for safety and reliability and original or high-quality reproductions where needed to maintains an original appearance. Our refinishing and repair services restore worn, cracked, and damaged cabinets to near new condition. We can even upgrade most radios with Bluetooth to give you unlimited content with that classic radio sound.
We also maintain a large variety of restored console and table radios for a unique and beautiful accent to all decors. We take great pride in the quality of our work and have received uniformly excellent reviews from our customers. Of course, all our work is fully guaranteed and, just like the old days, we even make house calls!
Where do you see your industry going over the next 5-10 years? Any big shifts, changes, trends, etc.?
The popularity of mid-century furnishings has extended to home electronics with strong sales of table and clock radios of that era.
The recent resurgence of Vinyl records and, more recently, tape and cassette recorders have kept us busy with turntable upgrades and refurbishing of 1960’s and ’70s Hi-Fi.
Contact Info:
- Website: www.goldenageradios.com
- Phone: 978-561-9950
- Email: afinger@goldenageradios.com
- Facebook: www.facebook.com/goldenageradios
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