Natalie's Everyday Heroes: Retrospekt brings vintage tech into the future
MILWAUKEE (CBS 58) -- It's always exciting to get your hands on the latest piece of technology, but being connected 24/7 can also be exhausting.
So, maybe it's no surprise that there's a growing market for vintage technology.
And if you're longing for the days of the Walkman and polaroids, a Milwaukee company called Retrospekt has you covered.
"Right now, I'm fabricating the new shutter curtains," said Bryan Rieth, making a new part for a 35 mm Pentax camera.
Repairing a camera from the 1960s isn't easy, but for Rieth, it is satisfying.
"That's working great," he said, testing the repair.
Rieth is the head of research and education at Retrospekt.
"I am self-taught, yes," he said of his skills.
The business, based in Riverwest, is committed to keeping retro technology working for generations new and old.
"I think it's so cool and really exciting," said founder, owner and marketing director Kori Fuerst.
Kori and her husband, Adam, founded the business in 2015.
"It's grown and it's evolved," she said.
"And it was always supposed to be something to do for fun and something to do together," Adam added.
They quickly realized their passion for vintage tech is shared by a lot of others.
"We're talking about polaroid cameras, 35-millimeter cameras, Gameboys," Kori said.
They started by buying and repairing polaroid cameras.
"Then it just sort of exploded from there," Adam said.
They now employ more than 30 people. Rieth was one of their first employees.
"All of the repair techs back there were trained by me," he said.
Building the business has been a learning process. With one goal.
"When the ability to repair these things goes away, the items go away with them," Kori said.
Keeping these items in circulation keeps them alive.
The Fuersts also see a growing desire for nostalgia.
"To be disconnected from your phone is now a luxury that you have to intentionally chase," Kori said.
And people are doing that with VHS tapes and cassettes.
"We kind of make the joke that listening to a cassette tape or playing a Gameboy is touching grass, or another way to touch grass," Kori said.
And in an era of streaming, owning media is the exception.
"It's really meaningful, I think, to a younger audience, to see their favorite artist on a format they can own, they can touch, they can feel," Adam said.
So, whether these things bring back memories or bring joy for the first time, Retrospekt shows everything old can be new again.
"Nostalgia is always changing. We didn't see iPods on the radar when we started this in 2015," Kori said.
Retrospekt has started refurbishing those, too. They can repair family heirlooms, or you can find the vintage tech of your dreams on their website. They have a small showroom that is open to the public, too.
If you'd like to nominate an everyday hero, send Natalie a message at [email protected].