"We had done some generic, plain black folders in small quantities for Regina. Then we hit a slow period. We hired a turnaround guy who suggested we contact 20 previous customers and ask for some work. In the letter I mentioned that we did more than library book binding. My list of other services included menu covers. Javier, one of Regina’s great team members, read the letter and said, “You do menu covers? Wow.” It opened this whole new world and relationship. They threw a couple really big projects our way and that incentive helped us get past the rough times.
"We’re doing more custom projects now. Protective devices, such as phase boxes, clamshell boxes, slip cases and specially designed containers. And portfolios, presentation binders, scrap and gift books and photo albums.
"Not that we don’t still do book binding. A lot of our customers are coin dealers, collectors, auction houses and ghostwriters whose clients might want to print a hundred leather-bound copies of a memoir or personal project. And while the modern age has shrunk our library binding business, if you call a public library and ask where you can get a family Bible or some other precious book rebound, they’ll likely give our name. That’s what you get for the 60 years you’ve invested in the industry.
"Regina Rubino and Robert Louey are really great to deal with. They have a different approach. They always want to make sure we are doing okay and we’re happy with the terms. And, of course, they want the same for the client. It has been refreshing to deal with people like this, because we’ve never tried to be the cheapest in our arena, we’ve always wanted to be the best – like Regina and Robert.
"All the people over there seem like genuinely nice people. Javier Leguizamo, Emily Carlson, Christy Thrasher. They’re very talented, professional and dedicated. They’re all smart enough to know that this is a collaborative process. If you design something that won’t work, you need someone to say this won’t work and together revise it or take another approach. That’s part of the development process.
"But we have learned from them, too. When we decided to buy a few pieces of equipment geared toward our new clientele and began exploring different suppliers, they all had suggestions. It’s been a mutually beneficial relationship.
"If you visited our shop you’d find some unusual equipment that is 100 years old and still used daily. You’d also find people who love their job. The same kind of people you’ll find at Regina Rubino and Robert Louey's studio."
