Welcome to Kenmare

Feature Stories (Vol. 110 No. 18--4/30/2008)

Computer Hobbies opens on Main Street of Berthold

By Caroline Downs

"I don’t believe in making a sale," said Buddy Hanrahan, owner of Computer Hobbies, Berthold’s newest Main Street business. "I believe in making a customer."

Hanrahan officially opened the doors to Computer Hobbies, with the assistance of Ella Larson and Justin Whetham, April 5th during an open house in the newly remodeled building at the end of Main Street. However, many area residents are already familiar with Hanrahan’s work and passion for technology.

Hanrahan first moved to North Dakota with the Air Force 21 years ago. He worked with the B-52 bombers and spent 17 of his 20 years in the military stationed at Minot Air Force Base, officially retiring in September 2007. He met and married Kyra Myers of Berthold not long after he arrived in the state, and the couple has two sons, ages 13 and 17. Hanrahan laughed as he described his family’s help with the business, including the renovation efforts at the new store. "When you do something like this, it involves the whole family," he said, shaking his head. "We were all in here."

His specific interest in computers began 13 years ago. "I bought my first computer," he said. "It needed work, and I found out I liked what I was doing. I have electronics training from my Air Force background, but I really prefer to fix computers!"

Ten years ago, he started repairing computers for other people on a part-time basis, and then helping friends and customers purchase computers themselves. "Our basement at home became a storehouse," he said. "I’ll be eliminating a lot of that to move down here."

Despite starting as a part-time venture for Hanrahan, his presence in the area became well-known. The business has made regular appearances at the North Dakota State Fair and the Berthold FFA Pride of the Prairie Winter Showcase. "At the fair, it’s mostly exposure," Larson said. "We have people who always stop by."

The new Computer Hobbies building features a showroom with several laptop and desktop computers available for consideration. "All my systems are custom-ordered for the customers," said Hanrahan. "I prefer to deliver to their homes and do the installation. Good service is a very big part of my business."

The store offers innovative products, such as a continuous inking system sold by Awesome2Products in Mandan and "Videoeye," the new web-based video-conferencing technology for groups and individuals. Printers and cell phone accessories, especially amplifiers and boosters to improve signals, are in stock.

Hanrahan intends to add print services in the future for digital photo processing, and he hopes to start holding training sessions for web-based software.

"We also sell all sorts of computer accessories," he said. "I do research for customers. I’ll go find the best deal and get it here for you."

Along with Awesome2Products, he works directly with a computer supplier in Minneapolis. "They custom-build all my machines for me," he said.

Of course, Computer Hobbies will continue the service component that has been Hanrahan’s hallmark. His clients over the years have included residents in Kenmare, Portal, Williston, Killdeer and even eastern Montana. "If they’re willing to pay for me to get there, I don’t really have a [distance] limit!" he said. "I just enjoy fixing computers and I enjoy helping people."

For the past year, Hanrahan has served as the part-time technology coordinator for the Lewis & Clark school district, but he has maintained his waiting list of service calls. "He comes in and he’s on the fly!" Larson said, laughing.

Hanrahan nodded his agreement and looked around at the inventory waiting to be unpacked. "This has grown to something, and it’s going to be a value to the community," he said. "I could have moved this to Minot, but I want to take my business to the west, where they have no one doing this. Now, you don’t have to run to Minot to get your computer fixed!"

He is even willing to service computers purchased other places. "I am not prejudiced by age or operating system," he said, laughing.

When Hanrahan and Whetham are out making service calls, Larson, as business manager, will handle messages, inquiries, purchases and shipments at the store itself. She’s been doing the bookwork for Hanrahan for the past three years and is happy to see the business now organized in one location with Main Street access for customers.

Hanrahan appears to have a constant workload, but he clarified his position. "We do have precedents here," he said and ticked off a list on his fingers. "God, family, school and work, in that order." He smiled as he described sending 16-year-old Whetham to run errands for his mother when she calls during business hours. "I was raised that way, and that’s the way it’s going to be."

Establishing a presence on Berthold’s Main Street addresses several aspects of Hanrahan’s long-term vision. "I see this as a beginning for me to help the whole town," he said. The building he renovated now houses the Homestead Insurance Services office, and a second office area is available for rent.

The store has a large conference room with a collapsible table, a 120-inch retractable screen, and a full surround sound system installed by Mike’s Sound 4 You of Berthold. Hanrahan wants to see that space used by the community, especially local kids. "With the right help for supervision, I’d like to see them come in here after school and do their homework, away from the TV," he said. "Then, at a certain time of day, the screen can come down and they can play their X-Box or whatever, larger than life!"

He has also developed plans for the half lot he owns behind the Computer Hobbies building. "I want to add a recycling center behind the building," he said. "The town really needs it."

While some people may question his choice to launch a new business in a small, rural town, Hanrahan points to development throughout the area. "I’ve been doing this for ten years out of my basement," he said. "We’re finally putting some roots on my business. We want people to stop. We want to see cars on Main Street."

The Berthold Economic Development Corporation supported Hanrahan’s business with a grant for a new furnace and a low interest loan. He also secured funding through an area bank. "My goal is to have everything paid back in three years," he said.

As busy has Hanrahan has been with setting up the new store and helping customers with repairs, he sees only one drawback to his work. "I don’t hear a lot about what people like," he said, grinning. "You don’t need me when things are going right!"

Computer Hobbies is open Monday through Fridays from 9 am to 6 pm, Saturdays from 9 am to 4 pm, and anytime by appointment at 701-453-3602.