David Morrill was on the backside of more than 15 years as a Subway sandwich shop owner when he spotted his future.
It happened while driving past the Cartridge World in Glendale. The franchise, which refills and repurposes printer ink and toner cartridges, piqued his interest and he didn't waste any time getting on board.
"The first meeting I had with Cartridge World was in the lobby of my Subway store," Morrill said and chuckled.
Nearly a year later, Morrill sold the last of his Subway franchises. A week after that, he opened his new shop in Wauwatosa.
It was April 2009, not the ideal time to open a new business, thanks to the still-tanking economy.
In fact, Morrill admitted, "I probably opened up at one of the worst times."
But, he reasoned, his storefront location near 66th and State streets made him well-positioned to serve businesses in downtown Milwaukee, as well as people working from home - or, at that time, searching for work from home.
As businesses and jobseekers searched for cost-cutting measures, they slowly turned to Morrill, who offers new and remanufactured inks and toners.
And what does it mean to remanufacture an ink cartridge? Well, as Morrill learned, it's more complicated than simply injecting new fluid into an old unit. Remanufactured cartridges are taken apart and reassembled with new pieces before new ink or toner is loaded. Cartridges are then tested before they are sold.
Because nearly every cartridge model is different, each requires slightly different tweaks. And each model also has its own ink - a signature combination of colors making just the right hue of black, for instance.
Those intricacies appealed to Morrill almost as much as the environmental impact his business could offer.
"We are big recyclers. My store serves as a dropoff point for anyone who wants to recycle their ink and toner - and you don't have to make a purchase," Morrill said.
Considering it can take one gallon of oil to make a new cartridge, Morrill said he is glad to do his part.
"These are viable items that can be reused," Morrill said. "... Keeping things out of landfills is a great thing."
Suggest a business to be featured in the Business Spotlight by emailing news@cninow.com.
JUST THE FACTS
BUSINESS: Cartridge World, 6650 W State St
WEB: CartridgeWorld.com
PHONE: (414) 777-1830
TYPE OF BUSINESS: sells new and recycled ink and toner cartridge
Archives
- Business Spotlight: Cranky Al's has grown from desperation to a Wauwatosa institution
- Business Spotlight: Duckpin bowling alley has been an exercise in creative thinking
- Wauwatosa Business Spotlight: The Flower Lady stays true to the Village, and finds room to grow
- Wauwatosa Business Spotlight: Perspective Design specializes in being a generalist
- Business Spotlight: Tosa Bowl and Bun
- Business Spotlight: For Loriena Harrington, the land kept calling her back
- Colonel Hart's is a bar that will make you feel like family
- Wauwatosa Business Spotlight: At Legacy Gym, it's not just about abs
- Business Spotlight: The Wauwatosa Historical Society keeps up to date with the past
- Wauwatosa Business Spotlight: Chiropractor found his way by a fortunate accident
- Business Spotlight: On a quest for good brews, they found a World of Beer
- Business Spotlight: Jenny Kyle Smith hits the sweet spot after years of struggle
- Wauwatosa Business Spotlight: Kirchen's Car Sick Art is more art than cars
- Business Spotlight: Wauwatosa-based Irish Fest Center does more than put on a summer festival
- Business Spotlight: Sheeley Service puts the zip in your beverage of choice
- Business Spotlight: Face time is the best time for photographer Stephanie Bartz
- Dog trainer finds it's people who need aid
- Business Spotlight: Russ Drover finds beauty in the original
- Wauwatosa Business Spotlight: When he left the corporate world, he made new arrangements
- Business Spotlight: For Ruckus & Glee toy store in Wauwatosa, it's all about play