The Copy Shop was just a twinkle in the eyes of Jim and Kay Rickard back in 1980. At that time Jim was a top producing salesman for Xerox and Kay was trying to get back into the work force after she had fulfilled her motherhood obligations and done some substitute teaching on the side. As they pondered their future together, it became apparent Xerox and teaching were not the golden keys to their golden years. What to do? Like many others, they caught the entrepreneurial bug, but what enterprise they wondered? In 1980 Traverse City had several printing shops but not an exclusive copy shop. With Jim's wealth of experience with copiers and no copy shop, that twinkle became an idea, and the idea became a dream, and the dream became a reality in June of 1982 when The Copy Shop became Traverse City's original copy shop.

Many years later in 1998 when Jim and Kay decided to retire, their son Dan took over the shop. For the last ten years he has learned a great deal from Mom and Dad and continues to provide the exceptional service our loyal customers have come to expect.

The Copy Shop opened with two copiers, a typewriter, Kay and one staff member. Twenty-eight years later The Copy Shop operates at their new location on 8th & Woodmere (after combining both stores) with five staff members, six black and white copiers, two color copiers, a large format ink jet printer, several digital work stations, scanners and a very long list of binding and finishing equipment.

How did this growth happen? In addition to hard work, there are three major reasons: First, The Copy Shop staff have consistently treated their customers in the same way they would expect to be treated if they were on the other side of the counter. By providing friendly service and conforming to their customers schedules, they built a strong client base. Jobs are done when the customers need them, not when they "fit" into The Copy Shop work load. Second, The Copy Shop staff have consistently provided the best value to all customers. And they find solutions to make their customers successful in all their copying and printing needs. Third, The Copy Shop has consistently performed their services correctly. The job is not ready for pick-up and purchase until the job is done right. These three things in combination simply equal GREAT SERVICE.