Roberta and Erve Hamilton, owners of The Print Shop have been at 623 Broadway for more than 32 years. Like many other businesses in Newburgh, they are being forced to find a different shop after their building was taken over by new owners.

The quirky duo greets you at the front of their shop with smiles and jokes regardless of the tough situation they are in. They are hopeful they can move into a warehouse next door to keep the business running.

The building was taken over by a company called Riverside Realty from Bronx, NY in August. After taking over the building a representative from the company notified Roberta and Erve they would have to leave the property as soon as possible. Riverside will be using the space to store merchandise.

Moving the company is not so simple, with three tons worth of equipment, special lifts are needed to move the big machines out of the warehouse. A new location must be able to hold the weight of large printing presses and digital machines.

Erve is hopeful he will be able to find a space in a warehouse being renovated next door at 639 Broadway. The space is large enough to support all his equipment, he is hoping it will be ready before the new owners of his shop force them to leave.

“If I can’t find a building that I can afford, then I am in big trouble,” said Erve. “We have been looking everywhere but a lot of the warehouses are taken, or they will not support the weight of the equipment we have.”

The company has been in business since 1977, they moved to 623 Broadway in 1986 after a fire burned down their shop and everything they had. After the fire they started the business over from scratch.

Roberta started the business with a partner when she was in her 20s. She eventually bought out her business partner and ran the The Print Shop with Erve.

“We deal with a lot of personal stuff from people,” said Roberta. “We have been touched by people in the community praying and calling us to see if we will stay open. We have met so many people and made so many friends through the years.”

The two have been asked to move out by January 31. Erve doesn’t see the possibility of having the space cleared by that time, especially since the space they hope to move into is still not ready.

“It’s aggravating to be in a position where you think you are going to stay at least six months and then you are told you have to move right away,” said Erve. “We don’t want to close, but if we can’t find a space that is what will happen.”