This Historic 110-Year-Old NYC Business Is Shutting Down
Channel: Joshua Charow
Duration: 9:35
The Big Picture
This video is a gentle farewell to American Wood Column, a business rooted in familial bonds and unique craftsmanship. Thomas Lupo, embodying nostalgia and pragmatism, walks us through his decision to close the company, emphasizing the changes both in his personal life and the broader societal landscape that treasures newness over tradition. Though closing, the legacy of Lupo's company will linger like the dust on their century-old molds.
Chapter Breakdown
- Setup: The video opens with the somber revelation from Thomas Lupo that American Wood Column, a business open for 110 years in New York City, will be closing. We are introduced to the legacy of the company and its rich history in producing architectural woodwork.
- Development/Twist: We discover the unique, quirky, and almost magical nature of the business's work, from making iconic film sets for The Godfather and SNL to humorous projects like a 6-ft pencil. The business is more than columns—it's a craft spanning generations, housed in a building that's seen more dust than a neglected attic.
- Resolution/Conclusion: Thomas reflects on the imminent closure as he faces the reality of aging and the indifference of future generations towards the old-world craft. It’s a bittersweet insight into the ravages of time and changing priorities, resonating with the inevitability of closure and family legacy.
Highlights
- The humorous detail about how the company name, American Wood Column, was chosen simply to appear alphabetically first in the phone book.
- The revelation of the company's eclectic projects, including making a 6-ft pencil and movie props, like The Godfather's Corleone grave.
- That magical moment when you discover a store made rigged ring tosses to make carnival games more frustrating. 🎪
- The nostalgic and somewhat absurd image of a man having worked on molds so long, he knew them all by heart.
- Thomas’s reflection on how this business seemed like home more than a place of work, showing incredible emotional attachment.
Quote of the Moment
Listen, we've been around so long, you're copying something my grandfather made. So, whether he was wrong or right when he did it, we're right now.
Controversial Takes
- The assertion that just nobody is going into these trades anymore, suggesting a potential cultural shift away from traditional craftsmanship causing such businesses to fade away.
Is It Clickbait?
Clickbait verdict: Not Clickbait — Not Clickbait
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