Michelle Catan, of Oneonta, said that she sought a career change. So she bought Sears in Oneonta.
Catan said she bought the business from David Zummo for an undisclosed amount. Catan said she most recently worked as a commercial loan officer at Wilber National Bank and also has worked at NBT Bank.
Catan, whose maiden name is Georgia, graduated from Oneonta High School in 1983 and knew the Zummo family growing up. Her husband, Paul, will help her in the business and continue at his position with NBT Bank in Norwich, she said. Their children, 5-year-old triplets, will start at Valleyview Elementary School this autumn.
Her first official day as owner was Sunday, she said, and on Tuesday, she sold a dishwasher, a lawn tractor, refrigerator and a stackable washer and dryer.
Sears has eight full- and part-time employees, Catan said, and the only one who didn't stay on was Mary Zummo, David's mother, who retired.
The store will continue with its friendly customer service, Catan said, and a major addition will be the ability of customers to order and buy parts at the store instead of on the Internet or over the telephone, she said.
Store hours will be 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. weekdays, 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. Saturdays and 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Sundays. The store is at 61 S. Main St., and the telephone number is 432-3100.
Catan said she spent two weeks in Chicago, as required of new owners, learning about Sears products and business practices. The program was helpful, she said, and each day offers more lessons.
``I've been learning every day,'' she told a customer after finding where trash compactor bags were located. ``It's fun.''
Oneonta manufacturer earns certification
Custom Electronics, a manufacturer of high-voltage mica paper capacitors, has earned AS9100/ISO9001:2000 certification by meeting international standards.
The capacitors are used for down-hole oil and gas exploration, and jet ignition systems, according to Custom Electronics' website.
The certification reflects the firm's commitment to quality production and keeping up with changing standards in the high-tech electronics industry, according to a media release. The firm, located on Browne Street in Oneonta, manufactures high-voltage capacitors and assemblies for the military, communication, medical and other industries.
``I am very proud of this,'' Michael Pentaris, president and chief executive officer, said recently. The firm had to provide evidence of quality levels, he said.
Custom Electronics has about 70 employees, including about 50 involved in manufacturing, he said.
``You have to have not good-quality systems but great-quality systems,'' Pentaris said, and the certification is required by some customers.
The certificate went into effect May 1 and runs through April 30, 2011.
Deli deja vu
Remember the Downtown Deli?
The deli at 195 Main St. opened in 1990 and closed in October 2007, said building owner James Bredin. But plans for a Mexican restaurant at that site didn't work out, he said, and he re-opened his deli in April.
Bredin said the deli remains as it was in the past _ serving breakfast, lunches and food at night, with hours from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. Monday through Saturday and from 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. Sundays. The telephone number is 432-1929.
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To suggest a business story, announce a new business or changes to an existing one, e-mail drichardson@thedailystar.com or call Denise Richardson at 432-1000 or (800) 721-1000, ext. 213.
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