Well, I'm going to take this in a little different direction and have some fun with it. Years before I had my own store, I worked for a Dolmar distributor, so I visited virtually every saw shop in New York and many in western New England. Met some wonderful people, some of whom I still stay in touch with, and many more that I wish I did. Most of this is a picture of the early 90's, but many are unchanged except for some gray hair!
Most impressive: Dave Sisson saw shop, Bolivar NY. Dolmar, Husky and GIANT Sithl dealer. Has to be the winner of the "biggest shop in the smallest town" award. Dave is one of the nicest guys in the business, and a big Bills' fan.
Most entertaining: Morgs' saw shop, Wyoming NY. Jonsered and has maybe picked up Stihl over the years. Morg is just one of those guys who could probably sell anything, and he was very good at selling Jonsered, despite being surrounded by Husky shops. I remember when he was opening his business and you just knew that he was one of those guys who never fails. Always made me feel welcome, had breakfast in his house once because he said his wife cooks better than any of the diners in town. A class act who never ran out of stories.
Most unusual: RT 23 small engine, South Plymouth NY. I think Kenny took a liking to me because I was the only one who could get close enough to his dogs to pet them. God them suckers were mean! Customers would pull up and stick their heads out of the window to see if the dogs were around.
Most helpful: Dan's Tooth and Blade, Rutland, Vermont. Didn't do a lot of business with these guys, but I could always get my hockey skates sharpened there. Dan put a real good edge on them and he never charged me!
Best people: By far the winners here are the folks up at the Cutting Edge in Greenwich, NY (And an AS sponsor) Great family, and they know their stuff. Biggest Dolmar dealer that I know of.
Most historically significant: Tweedies Saw Shop, Andes, NY. This is an original, 2nd generation, McCulloch and Homelite saw shop started back in the 50's. The signs are still up! Currently selling Jonsered. The place is just loaded with old Mac and Homie stuff. In fact, I stopped in there this past week on one of my road trips to visit Jay and I wound up going home with a Pro Mac 850, that I already have running. Jay collects saws, and years ago I found him a running Dolmar rotary saw in another shop for $50. He kept asking "Are you sure that's all you want?"
Best "what ever happened to him" story: is a guy that I better not name. He was a nut case who got in over his head and burned his shop down. Then to prove that it wasn't him, he set fire to his own house to prove that someone was out to get him! For a couple of years after the fire, stuff was turning up at other shops that was reported to have been destroyed in the fire. I think they let him out about 2 years ago.
Sentimental favorite: East Branch Scorpion Sales, Dolmar dealer in Neversink NY, Milt Kortright. Never sold a lot of stuff to Milt, but always enjoyed sitting by the homemade woodstove and visiting. The only thing that ever upset Milt seemed to be school taxes. I think we lost Milt a couple of years ago.
Lot's of great people out there!
opcorn: 
