The Williston Park location of the Minuteman Press franchise is now in the hands of Michael Nappi, the store’s third owner in its 40-plus years on Hillside Avenue.
“It’s exciting,” Nappi said. “It’s a little nerve wracking at times to own your own business; there’s a lot of different facets to it.”
Nappi bought the store, which provides design, printing and other services, in November.
The previous owner, Stephan Parmett, retired after almost 20 years at the store, Nappi said. Parmett is spending the winter in Naples, Florida.
Coming in as an owner to an existing store, Nappi said, one of his top priorities was keeping the employees happy.
“I’ve got a great staff that’s been here a long time,” Nappi said. “It’s more like a home environment, a family kind of vibe in this place, so I wanted to make sure I didn’t disrupt anything. That was really important to me.”
Nappi is no stranger to the Minuteman Press franchise.
A close friend, whom Nappi said he has known since he was 5 years old, works for Minuteman Press on the West Coast. His friend’s father is the vice president of the company, Nappi said.
“I’ve been around his family forever and they’re all very successful with the Minuteman franchise,” Nappi said. “And I thought, sure let’s give it a shot.”
Nappi, who has a background in marketing, said the company he had been working for was moving to the city. Not wanting to commute from his home in Merrick, Nappi said he went “store touring” in April.
Nappi said he has owned a few businesses in the past, but nothing with a storefront or as established as this.
While the venture is new for Nappi, he said, it does not feel completely new because the location has been there forever.
“To buy something established like this is definitely a bonus,” Nappi said. “Trying to start from scratch I think it would be a little more difficult. I got lucky, in my opinion.”
