Interviewed by: TL Rotkiewicz
Photo by: Michael Taylor

Gary Lambert is the owner of Copy Central. They were established in 1991 at the location of 26 Poquonock Ave., before moving down the road to their current address of 700 Poquonock Ave. on February 1, 2011. Gary is a Chamber of Commerce member.

Gary was born in Hartford. He started printing at the age of eighteen. Over time, Gary worked for Pronto Printer in Newington among various other printing facilities where he learned all the facets needed in starting his own business. When he turned thirty, Gary started his own company in 1991: Copy Central.

Copy Central is about customer service. Product is secondary. Gary says, “It’s servicing the customers needs and actually trying to inspire them. They don’t realize that sometimes they may need something different or better. They can do their project in a timely fashion. We care. We really care. It’s not only about money.” Copy Central offers many services including reproducing multi-page documents, creating custom index tabs (only two printers do this in the state of CT.) and covers. They print business cards as raised, full color, or flat printed, high-speed, high-resolution color copies and black & white copies. GBC plastic binding & spiral-O wire binding. They also do carbonless forms, letterheads and envelopes. One thing that sets Copy Central apart from other print shops is, they are an approved provider of the United States Postal Service. In turn, the USPS advertises for them. Another advantage Copy Central has is that they provide a fulfillment service (shipping of goods from a customer’s home business is quite popular). Gary says, “We try to diversify more.” The business started out as Printing Express, where they mostly dealt with printing only. Things have changed over the years with other companies offering services and the advent of home computer technology. Copy Central offers their services to not only Windsor but throughout Hartford County, down by the shore, and in Massachusetts. Gary notes, “Now a days you have to be willing to travel, and we do because there aren’t that many of us left.” At one point in time, printing services used to dominate five to seven pages in the Yellow Pages phone book. Now, there is only about half a page.

Long-term goals? “We’re always trying to evolve. Trying to adapt to whatever the economy is doing. We’re always looking for something innovative to add to our product line. We’ve had considered 3D printing, but a much better quality than the desktop one.” That hasn’t happened yet, but a decision will be made in the near future.

Gary is a longtime Windsor resident. He says, “Windsor is a fantastic town. If it wasn’t, I wouldn’t be here.” Gary believes it’s very progressive. He admires the Chamber as they tell everybody when new things are coming up. The town is always there for you to ask questions as a business owner, or if an expansion is needed. “Their support’s been amazing.” Copy Central is a Platinum Sponsor of the Windsor Police Cadets. “We spend a lot of time with the community. That really is the key.”

Some of Gary’s favorite places to go to within town are the various restaurants Windsor has to offer, especially Tavern at Keney Park. He is fond of taking a boat out to Rainbow Reservoir. “It’s beautiful out there.” Gary does go to Bart’s to pick up a hot dog on occasion.

Gary has a love of motorcycles. Chances are you could find him at Bike Night at the Tobacco Shed. He’s also an avid fisherman.

Three words that describe Gary: Customer oriented. Innovative. Community.