At FUN Inc.
By VIKI RUDOLPH, Business Correspondent.
Old Town Newhall Gazette, September, 1997.
When you start getting really acquainted with Old Town Newhall and the merchants who have thrived there for many years, you're amazed to find such a variety of goods within just a few blocks.
One of the most unusual stores is F.U.N. Inc., which used to be combined with the pharmacy on the corner of Market Street but now has its own place of business at 24337 N. San Fernando Road.
With a double-front facade, the store is really two types of shops in one: one that sells "fanciful, unique and novel near-antique collectors items," and another with holiday items such as costumes, greeting cards and decorations.
The energetic couple overseeing the merchandise is Susan and Jim Davy. Jim deals with the slot machine division while Susan keeps up with the holidays. Both now have their hands full with Halloween approaching, followed closely by Thanksgiving and Christmas.
Their customers range from local doting parents who want their children to have the best costumes for whatever the occasion, to out-of-towners who have heard about the shop and know they will find the perfect outfit and accessories for any special event.
The Davys have handled this overwhelming undertaking for twenty years. Costumes are offered complete with masks, wigs, jewelry and other accessories. Because of the delicate nature of the costumes as well as space limitations and cost, they are sold, not rented. Many are the creations of theatrical designers and are crafted from unusual fabrics with remarkable authenticity.
Jim Davy is in charge of the other side of the enterprise, a fascinating conglomeration of antique "machines" such as barber chairs, slot machines, cash registers, jukeboxes and more. These items bring in most of the store's revenue because of their excellent quality and scarcity among collectors around the world. Jim is adept at keeping his wares in tip-top condition and understands how to refurbish them and keep them in perfect running order.
Slot machines fall under strict laws in California dating back to 1976, when the legislature determined they can be used and sold as antiques but not as gambling devices.
Most of Jim's business comes from word of mouth and from satisfied repeat customers who are anxious to enlarge their antique collections.
Always on the lookout for new inventory, Jim feels the key to his success -- besides word-of-mouth advertising -- is his expertise at restoration. Highly respected in this unique field, he is sought after by those who share this expensive hobby. In selecting his merchandise, Jim's philosophy is, "If I like it, somebody else will like it, too."
As the City of Santa Clarita begins to redesign Railroad Avenue, welcome arriving passengers at the coming Metrolink depot and encourage new merchants to ply their wares in a revitalized downtown Newhall, F.U.N. Inc. takes top billing in motivating local customers and those from outside the area to wander down San Fernando Road and browse through the extraordinary merchandise displayed there.
Gazette business correspondent Viki Rudolph is the former Executive Director of the Santa Clarita Valley Chamber of Commerce.
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