ABOUT US

SO, Typewriter service in the 21st century….

I’m sure you’re probably thinking, “wow, that doesn’t sound like a very secure line of work.” And you know what? Maybe you’re right, but we’re okay with that. Typewriter Chicago is a home for analog lovers dedicated to ensuring that physical media remains accessible to the masses. Though that primarily means the upkeep, restoration, and refurbishing of typewriters, it also includes film cameras and even sometimes tape recorders and calculators! (but mainly typewriters).

The journey started officially in 2018 with the repair of a 1951 Smith Corona Silent, followed by the birth of Typewriter Chicago in 2019. We are now the only typewriter company in Illinois, and one of the few fully-capable brick-and-mortar typewriter shops in the country. We have worked hard to bring hundreds of machines painstakingly back to life. Machines ranging from the 1880s all the way to the familiar era of 2023. No machine is too old, no machine is too new. There may be some machines that are too gross, but that’s a different category.

As of 2026, we are working to engage the local Chicagoland community more, by offering writing classes and typing workshops, as well as working with local area libraries to donate machines for their patrons to use.

So if you want a typewriter, or have a typewriter you want to use, or even just want to hang and chat about antiques and jam on some machines you haven’t tried out before, than this is the perfect spot. Even more perfect if you happen to be in need of accessories like cool ribbons in cool colors, and stickers, and paper. Heck, we’ll sell you pencils or used napkins if that’s what you’re into.

The point is: passion for creativity drives the best of humanity. It only makes sense that you guys get the best tools for the job.