In 1947, Robin and his wife Barbara Fink opened Fink's Paint Store, 338 Mifflin Place, in a location that was once a carriage house for one of the Millionaire Row mansions, according to current owner and son of the original owners, Michael Fink.
According to Michael Fink, the building's history and character are two things that set it apart and he has no plans of changing it.
"We have always been at the same site," Michael Fink said.
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SHAWNA TURNER/Sun-Gazette Correspondent
Craig Meyers stocks part the wide inventory that Fink's Paint Store has featured for generations.
The store is a Benjamin Moore distributor and Benjamin Moore wanted all of its stores to have the same look. In order to do this, they proposed changing the character of the store to conform to the look of its other stores, according to Michael Fink.
"They came down and showed us plans to redo the store. We weren't very happy with it. So we asked our customers. They told us, "don't ever change this place." So many people come in and say how they love it here," said Craig Myers, who also has been with the store for more than 30 years.
Exceptional service is important at the paint store.
"We strive to create well matched colors, using the right product for the right job and we try to give exceptional service to our customers. We carry the paint out and load it in (the customer's) car. We are very conscious of the quality of our products," Michael Fink said. "We have quality products and quality service."
Some products offered at the store are paint, wallpaper, stain and sundries, which includes items such as rollers and brushes, according to Michael Fink.
Michael Fink said he grew up in the store and officially took it over about two years ago.
One thing that has been a constant, he said, is that the business has always remained in his family.
The store employees have watched as children have grown to become the next generation of customers, according to Fink and Myers.
About six people work at the paint store, according to Myers, with half of the employees being with the company for more than 30 years.
In the summers, the store has picked up loyal part time help to get them through their busier seasons.
"In the summers we usually have extra help. We have had a lot of young people over the years work here - high school and college kids. They always come back. It's kind of nice," Michael Fink said.
The store is open 7:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. Monday to Friday and 7:30 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday.
The store website may be accessed at www.finkspaint.com.
The store has a wallpaper sale twice a year and for customer appreciation has cookies in the store on Thursdays, according to Michael Fink.
