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DSJ · 7 January 2010, 04:36 AM

http://www.startribune.com/business/...D3aPc:_Yyc:aUU

And since they don't keep the links active for long:

'Ink' becomes victim of recession

Far above the skyways and the street-level crowds in downtown Minneapolis, Barry Rubin's upscale pen store, Ink, will soon become another victim of the Great Recession.

Rubin has been doing business out of a gallery-like showroom on the 45th floor of the IDS Center for more than three years, selling artistic and collectible pens that generally range from $25 to $1,000 -- though some are priced well into the five figures.

Sales pretty much dried up in September 2008, when financial markets around the globe crashed, Rubin said. Law firms, financial planners and other businesses that once bought the high-end pens as gifts for managers and retiring executives cut costs or got laid off themselves.

"Expenses exceeded revenues," said Rubin, a former certified public accountant. "I've lost the corporate business."

Rubin intends to stay open until late February or March, or until the pens are gone. His going-out-of-business sale means that his most popular pens now can be had for $10 to $450. And these days, no appointment is necessary.

But serious collectors take note: There's no discount on that $35,000 scribbler.

JimC · 7 January 2010, 05:27 PM

Is there an online link for the store, or is it just "brick and mortar"?

sunburst · 8 January 2010, 12:37 AM

Here is their web-site :

http://penstore.biz/

Unfortunately their web-site is not intended for on-line purchase.

Sweramic · 8 January 2010, 12:49 AM

Where can we find the pens for sale?

Safetrends · 8 January 2010, 01:05 AM

This is really sad for the employees that depend on the work, as well as others affected by this closing.

bodybump · 8 January 2010, 01:30 AM

Kokyuryoku · 8 January 2010, 01:49 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bodybump

x 2

DSJ · 8 January 2010, 03:46 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Safetrends

This is really sad for the employees that depend on the work, as well as others affected by this closing.

The good news is that he is a one-man show, and so he'll be the only one out of a job. But he'll be fine financially, he's a "retiree-flunkie" who just did this because he loves pens so much.

1000ftSub · 8 January 2010, 03:49 AM

Does not surprise me, people are just hanging onto there homes, then yet going out and buying a 5,000 dollar pens. I feel for the guy thou.

RebreatherDiver · 8 January 2010, 04:54 AM

been in contact with Barry, not much left in fountain pens or any of the good stuff.

his collector pens are NOT for discount.

still working with him for a diamond in the rough, but he told me that he has had the sale for months with blogging, tweeting, etc.

The newspaper was a JCL and most everything was gone by then....

2careless · 8 January 2010, 05:21 AM

Ah yes. I have seen this site/store before. Good luck to him.

JimC · 18 January 2010, 03:34 PM

I checked before, but not much that I was looking for then... Might be a couple of gems for someone, but the pickings were getting slim.

7 January 2010, 04:36 AM	#1
DSJ "TRF" Member Join Date: Dec 2007 Real Name: David Location: USA Watch: your step! Posts: 7,882	My store is closing http://www.startribune.com/business/...D3aPc:_Yyc:aUU And since they don't keep the links active for long: 'Ink' becomes victim of recession Far above the skyways and the street-level crowds in downtown Minneapolis, Barry Rubin's upscale pen store, Ink, will soon become another victim of the Great Recession. Rubin has been doing business out of a gallery-like showroom on the 45th floor of the IDS Center for more than three years, selling artistic and collectible pens that generally range from $25 to $1,000 -- though some are priced well into the five figures. Sales pretty much dried up in September 2008, when financial markets around the globe crashed, Rubin said. Law firms, financial planners and other businesses that once bought the high-end pens as gifts for managers and retiring executives cut costs or got laid off themselves. "Expenses exceeded revenues," said Rubin, a former certified public accountant. "I've lost the corporate business." Rubin intends to stay open until late February or March, or until the pens are gone. His going-out-of-business sale means that his most popular pens now can be had for $10 to $450. And these days, no appointment is necessary. But serious collectors take note: There's no discount on that $35,000 scribbler. __________________ Rolex. The Rolex of watches. 16570 Expy2 Noir, 116710 GMT Master II, 2552.80 SMP

7 January 2010, 05:27 PM	#2
JimC "TRF" Member Join Date: Oct 2008 Real Name: Jim Location: Anchorage, Alaska Watch: Rolex Posts: 1,188	Is there an online link for the store, or is it just "brick and mortar"? __________________ My collection, in order of acquisition: 16610 Sub (Z serial) 16710 GMT-Master II (Coke and Pepsi) (Z serial) 16570 Explorer II (White) (F serial) 116660 Deepsea (V serial) 79270 Tudor Tiger Chrono (red dial)

8 January 2010, 12:37 AM	#3
sunburst "TRF" Member Join Date: Feb 2009 Real Name: Joji Location: KY, So. Cal., NJ Watch: 16800 Posts: 979	Here is their web-site : http://penstore.biz/ Unfortunately their web-site is not intended for on-line purchase. __________________ Rolex Sub 16800 Rolex No Date Sub 114060 Omega Speedmaster Professional Sinn 356 Flieger II, Sinn 556, Sinn ST-140 Marathon SAR, Marathon GSAR

8 January 2010, 01:30 AM	#6
bodybump ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ 2025 ? Sponsor & Boutique Seller Join Date: Sep 2008 Real Name: Oscar Location: Florida Watch: Me!!! Posts: 23,233	__________________

8 January 2010, 04:54 AM	#10
RebreatherDiver "TRF" Member Join Date: Nov 2009 Real Name: Thomas Location: Greater Boston Watch: Rotational Posts: 666	been in contact with Barry, not much left in fountain pens or any of the good stuff. his collector pens are NOT for discount. still working with him for a diamond in the rough, but he told me that he has had the sale for months with blogging, tweeting, etc. The newspaper was a JCL and most everything was gone by then.... __________________ Thomas "Veritas"

8 January 2010, 12:49 AM	#4
Sweramic "TRF" Member Join Date: Nov 2008 Location: Europe Watch: Movies Posts: 4,531	Where can we find the pens for sale?

8 January 2010, 01:05 AM	#5
Safetrends Banned Join Date: Oct 2009 Real Name: David Walz Location: San Diego CA USA Watch: my hand. :) Posts: 9,156	This is really sad for the employees that depend on the work, as well as others affected by this closing.

8 January 2010, 03:49 AM	#9
1000ftSub "TRF" Member Join Date: Jul 2009 Real Name: Mike Location: Orlando Posts: 2,471	Does not surprise me, people are just hanging onto there homes, then yet going out and buying a 5,000 dollar pens. I feel for the guy thou.

8 January 2010, 05:21 AM	#11
2careless "TRF" Member Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: Melbourne, AU Watch: Pepsi Posts: 4,370	Ah yes. I have seen this site/store before. Good luck to him.

18 January 2010, 03:34 PM	#12
JimC "TRF" Member Join Date: Oct 2008 Real Name: Jim Location: Anchorage, Alaska Watch: Rolex Posts: 1,188	I checked before, but not much that I was looking for then... Might be a couple of gems for someone, but the pickings were getting slim. __________________ My collection, in order of acquisition: 16610 Sub (Z serial) 16710 GMT-Master II (Coke and Pepsi) (Z serial) 16570 Explorer II (White) (F serial) 116660 Deepsea (V serial) 79270 Tudor Tiger Chrono (red dial)

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