CALLICOON, NY — Dennis Eschenberg is the proprietor of  John H. Eschenberg, Inc. The store and showroom are located on a particularly scenic stretch of the road.

The winding creek behind the store looks inviting, especially now as spring is here and trout season is coming up.

The oldest building in the group of buildings on that spot was once a barn. It was built in 1917, and the family-owned business has been in operation since 1947.

Dennis Eschenberg began working there when he was nine years old, in 1959, doing light work. He compared this to family farm work. “Everybody chips in,” he said.

The two-person hand saw used by Dennis and his brother when they were 12 and 13 years old is there on the wall in the showroom, along with various power saws the family used in the 1960s. You can see other saws and tools for sale throughout the room. Shiny New Ones, I mean.

Dennis’ father, who moved to this area in the early 1930s, ran the business for years, and when he got sick and stopped working, the store and the repair shop passed to the son, who runs it today.

Dennis says he and the shop were lucky that there are so many nice people in the area to do business with. 

With that in mind, he says they always strive to keep it friendly at Eschenberg’s.

As with anything, there are obstacles. Keeping parts in stock, keeping pieces on site, requires attention. “You have to work on it,” Dennis said.

He showed me around the showroom on my recent visit. We saw Mowers by Bad Boy, Bob Cat and Husqvarma. In the next room, you see rows of chainsaws by Stihl, various leafblowers and trimmers. Dennis is justifiably proud of the neat appearance in the two showrooms. Everything is in its place.

Since they specialize in small engine repairs and service, another room houses their busy workshop. A garden tractor or mower was being worked on, as well as power tools. I have seen people bringing in chainsaws for repair. The estimates are free.

Garden tractors, they sell them there; they also sell riding lawn mowers, walk-behind mowers, stand-on mowers, self-propelled mowers, pull-behind mowers and zero-turn mowers. 

You’ll find Kawasaki engines, Kohler engines, Briggs and Stratton engines, chainsaws, leaf blowers, stone saws, trimmers, pole saws, portable work lights, tillers, trimmers and pressure washers.

Hand tools on hand include Cant hooks, Peaveys, hand pruners, pole pruners, pruning saws, hedge shears, log stands, axes and loppers.

They carry safety equipment such as hearing protectors, safety glasses, chaps, helmets and gloves.

We spoke about community and doing business in this unique area. I asked Dennis about advice for a person starting a business now. 

He said, “This is a pretty difficult thing to do these days. It’s hard to give advice under current circumstances.” 

On the other hand, Dennis says things that sound like advice to me. Keep smiling; be polite; service with a smile.

Mark Casner is a longtime union member, activist and representative. Former resident of Pennsylvania, New York, Washington, D.C. and Maryland. Current resident of Pennsylvania.