Jesse and the Typewriter Shop

Typewriters are making a comeback in an era where many of us are constantly distracted and glued to our phones.

The U.S. Office Machines stands as one of the oldest and last remaining typewriter repair shops in Highland Park since the early '60s. The company was established by Jesse Flores, an Angeleno fascinated by the art of the typewriter, a vintage writing tool that he would argue is anything but obsolete.

Flores began his journey fixing typewriters for the May Company while juggling hours at a trade school during the night. He learned everything from operating comptometers to managing cash registers and other technical aspects of repair. He later went on to teach his sons how to repair vintage typewriters to keep the store up and running.

"My dad was an old typewriter man. He would bring us to work. As we got to 8 or so, then he would give us typewriters to take apart. We would tear the machines apart, learn the theory of how typewriters are put together, then we would save these parts," said his son Ruben.

Flores passed away in 2011, but his legacy and love for typewriters still remains. In 2012, U.S. Office Machines celebrated its 50th anniversary since opening in 1962.

Featuring Interviews With:

• Ruben Flores, owner, U.S. Office Machines