Northshore magazine showcases the best that the North Shore of Boston, MA has to offer.
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SUMMER PROGRAMS 2012 On the North Shore Experience the difference at Boston Ballet School this summer June 25–August 10 Beginners Welcome Children's Programs Ages 2–7 Summer Dance Workshop Ages 8–12 Summer Master Class Series Ages 12–16 Roll With It: Edwin DeMoya measures material for cutting; an ornate option. "We try to provide more service than we ever have," Zimman says. "We know that people are looking for qual- ity services at reasonable prices. So, in recent years, we've gotten into providing more full service, where we make draperies, bedding, upholstery, pillows, slipcovers…all that sort of thing. People don't have to run around and get that done someplace else." Zimman's dedication to the old ways has deep roots; Michael learned the business at his grandfather Morris Zim- man's knee. Morris opened the store in 1909, and Michael says he cannot remember a time when he wasn't involved in the business. In fact, if he wanted to see his father, who worked from 10 a.m. until 10 p.m. six days a week, he had to go to the store. While in the second grade, Michael would take the bus from the family's home in Marblehead to swim at the Boys' Club on Lynn Commons. After swimming, Zim- man would wend his way through back alleys and residential neighborhoods in the waning afternoon light to get to his father's store for a ride home. Michael's official start in the business was at age 13, when his father bought out a factory that sold lawn furniture and then put the young lad in charge of sales. "It was great. I was running the department," Michael recalls. There was only one problem—he wasn't legally allowed to work until age 14. So, his father kept track of his hours, and on his 14th birthday, he presented him with a check for his accumulated wages—at a whopping 65 cents an hour. Zimman's retail acumen, on display from a young age, is likely responsible for the store's existence today. "The advent of shopping centers off the highways made for difficult times to compete in an urban setting," he recalls. "It became appar- ent to me that we had to specialize in something. We always had fabrics and always did well." So, Zimman closed the other departments and honed in on textiles, an area that Michael personally oversees to this day. He alone is responsible for NORTH SHORE Located in the Lynch/van Otterloo YMCA, Marblehead 617.456.6333 Official School of Register Online and Save 10% www.bostonballet.org/school Offer ends March 31 art|culture|shop Shop online! pemshop.com ABOVE Contemporary light blue glass vase with cutout 6 x 5 x 2 inches PEABODY ESSEX MUSEUM SHOP 161 Essex Street | Salem, MA 01970 | 978-542-1619 Open Tuesday–Sunday 10 am–5 pm A CUT