Two local, family-owned printing companies are set to merge the first of the year, 2010.
Founded in 1878, Varcoe Printing House, Inc., of Honesdale, will merge with Spencer Printing, an equally historic, Honesdale business dating back to 1910. Spencer Printing, which will be retaining its name and location, is located at 216 Willow Avenue, behind Tri-County Beer Distributors on Route 6, Honesdale.
Blending of skills and talent
The blending of their skills and talent makes them a great team, says Rae Ann (Varcoe) Bishop, fifth generation printer and president of Varcoe Printing.
Varcoe Printing was founded by Bishop’s great, great grandfather William H. Varcoe. The business, which began in his Honesdale home on Terrace Street – where he printed medicine, elixir labels and business cards – eventually moved to the basement of Leine’s Drug Store and finally, 114-7th Street in Honesdale.
Rae Ann joined the family business in 1972, working alongside her grandparents: William E. and Elizabeth “Liz” Varcoe and father, Richard A. Varcoe, where they offered a full compliment of printing jobs.
Joining forces with Spencer printing reinforces her commitment to customer service.
“I came to this decision in order to keep up with new technologies and advances in the printing industry,” she said.
Perfect timing
Nate Zaur, president of Spencer Printing, says the timing was perfect.
“We were already working together,” he said. “Rae-Ann’s proud of her family history here, and I’m proud to be part of it. It’s two old, family businesses that think we can do better for our customers and better for ourselves by joining together.”
Zaur’s interest in the printing industry dates back to high school.
Following graduation, he accepted a job at a print shop in New York where he met Vinny Fochesato, a mentor and good friend. “I learned a lot from Vinny ...who’s been printing for over 40 years. He passed a lot onto me,” Zaur said of Fochesato, now an integral part of Spencer Printing.
Zaur, 29, bought Spencer Printing from Jim Spencer in 2005, then located on Main Street in Honesdale.
Approximately two years later, the business had grown to the point where they needed more room. That’s when they moved the business to its current location on Willow Avenue.
Today, they print just about everything.
“We print everything from business cards and letter head, envelopes, and color copies. We also do a lot of full-color commercial printing, such as brochures, booklets and mailings,” Zaur said.
Spencer Printing is open 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., Monday through Friday; and Saturdays by appointment. They can be reached at 253-2001 and 253-1150 (Varcoe Printing’s former number).
