When Rob Hollinger took over The Desk & Copy Stop in downtown Huntington, he saw more than an office supply store. He saw a chance to build a true local partner for the community’s businesses. The shop offers office supplies, furniture, and equipment, plus printing, business cards, banners, signs, laminating, and more, with free local delivery. To reach businesses across the county, Rob launched a second brand, Midwest Business Supply, focused on serving companies, nonprofits, and government agencies, and grew his business customer base by nearly 200 percent in under a year.
With support from the Fortitude Fund, Rob is replacing the storefront’s heavy, broken front doors with handicap-accessible controls, so elderly customers, people using walkers or wheelchairs, and delivery workers can get in and shop with ease. With three retirement communities downtown, that change makes the shop one of the few fully accessible businesses in the area. Rob’s goal is to keep expanding the products and services his neighbors would otherwise buy online or drive out of town for, all backed by the personal service only a local company can provide.
