WARREN Crosby Mook, S.A. Barnes to merge

Owners say the merger will provide customers with more products, services.
THE VINDICATOR
By CYNTHIA VINARSKY
VINDICATOR BUSINESS WRITER
WARREN -- Two longtime downtown Warren businesses -- Crosby Mook Office Equipment and the S.A. Barnes Co. -- are announcing their decision to merge after the first of the year.
The new, larger retail store will retain the Crosby Mook name and will operate at Crosby Mook's location, 558 High St.
Rocky Mitolo, president of the new Crosby Mook operation, said the two businesses complement each other.
S.A. Barnes has focused on office supplies, furniture and office design consultation.
Crosby Mook is the Northeast Ohio dealer for a division of Toshiba America Business Solutions Inc., a manufacturer and distributor of copying, printing and facsimile equipment, and it also has maintained an inventory of office supplies and equipment
The merged business will offer office equipment sales and service, along with a larger selection of supplies and furniture.
David Forrester, president of S.A. Barnes, will continue to provide business consultation and office design and layout services at Crosby Mook.
Changes
The S.A. Barnes location at 306 E. Market St. will be the site for an inventory reduction sale for both stores in January and likely will be closed when the sale ends.
Cindy Mitolo, secretary-treasurer at Crosby Mook, said the business will retain its 16 employees; two full-time S.A. Barnes employees will move; and one other has been offered a part-time position for now. Two other S.A. Barnes positions will be eliminated.
Both companies are family-owned downtown landmarks. S.A. Barnes was founded by Forrester's grandparents in 1935, and Crosby Mook traces its roots to 1911.
"This arrangement will allow each market segment the two companies currently serve to flourish," Forrester said in a company news release announcing the merger. He said the decision makes sense in light of the current economic climate, and because the two companies share similar histories and business philosophies.
"Working under one roof allows us to increase our ability to serve our customers and improve our operating efficiencies at the same time," Rocky Mitolo added.
vinarsky@vindy.com