TRYON – After doing business in Tryon since 1940, Arledge Printers will be closing its doors at the end of the month.

Owner Hub Arledge attributed having to close the business due to the progression of technology phasing out smaller printing companies such as his, calling it “a sign of the times.” Arledge Printers has handled all kinds of print jobs over the past 76 years, from business cards to diplomas and show booklets.

“My dad came to Tryon in 1930 as a 17-year-old man and went to work for Seth Vining, Sr. at the Tryon Daily Bulletin,” Arledge said. “The printing job shop and the Bulletin shared equipment. They shared the presses, knives and all the printing type equipment. The shop at the time was owned by Sam Wood and it was called Wood’s Press. When Wood died, my dad went out on his own and wanted to buy the business and he took over the printing part of the business and Seth continued to run the newspaper, though they were never partners.”

When Wood died of pneumonia in the mid-1930s, his wife wanted to sell the business and move on to help more in town, according to Arledge. Arledge’s father, Elbert H. Arledge, became founder of Arledge Printers and kept it in the Bulletin building.

“We did stay with the Bulletin office, and though it was separate businesses we did share the presses and our type machine until 1955,” Arledge explained.

Arledge said his first day of work at the printing shop was on New Year’s Day in 1965 when Arledge’s mother purchased the current building for the shop at 255 N. Trade Street.

“We’ve been very fortunate to have good, loyal customers and we appreciate it,” Arledge explained. “We had a nice little business back in the day, but technology has just overcome this business. Everything is digital now, especially now that you don’t have to set type anymore, and my dad was a real artisan and craftsman when it came to setting type. He just loved it.”

With no demand for the old-fashioned letter press anymore, according to Arledge, he said there is no industry left in Tryon. A going out of business sale is happening at the shop where Arledge said he is selling everything at a good discount.

“We’re selling everything at 40 percent off of retail, and as the days draw nearer we may sell things off for more,” Arledge said. “We’ve been very fortunate to have customers who want to help out and buy whatever they could. We’ve got so many wonderful people like that here.”

Arledge said he is putting up the building for sale or lease, but said he would prefer to lease the building to someone due to its rich history.

“I’ll be 74 years old in January and it’s time to kick back a little bit,” Arledge said. “I’ve been with the Tryon Fire Department for over 25 years and that was a rewarding thing for me. I’ve been a member with the Tryon Chamber of Commerce and served as a board and its president and the Polk County Chamber of Commerce before they merged. It’s been a good run.”