Sentinel Printing Co. is an example of a long standing small business which has undergone numerous transitions and changes to become the successful business it is today. The company traces its roots to 1858 when a local resident opened a print shop in Hempstead and started to publish a weekly paper called the Queens County Sentinel, designed to chronicle the life and times in and around Hempstead (which was then part of Queens). The paper became a staple of the region for the next 90 years. It was that modest print shop that laid the foundation for the company we honor today, still serving the region, Sentinel Printing.
In 1863 the Van DeWater's family took over the Queens County Sentinel print operation and in 1898, when Hempstead became part of the newly formed Nassau County, changed the paper's name to the Hempstead Sentinel. While the paper continued only through 1949, the company endured. In 1953 the then current generation of Van DeWaters moved the company to its present location at 55 Chasner Street in Hempstead and built a modern facility, suitable for the growing commercial work. In 1985, after 120 years of ownership by the Van DeWater family, Sentinel Printing was sold to William F. Boehmer and thus started a new family's tradition. William, a lifelong printer and resident of Hempstead was, like his predecessors, able to perform every task in the print shop.
Son Glen Boehmer joined the family business and in 1992 took over the reigns of Sentinel. He immediately immersed the company in the new technologies and has created a state of the art, modern print facility, capable of handling all print and related needs for customers. He also continued the tradition of commitment to the community by involvement in numerous community, professional, trade and civic groups.
In 1985 Sentinel Printing solidified its presence in the community by purchasing its location and an adjoining building using an SBA 504 loan from LI Development Corporation and a JDA loan. In 2007 Sentinel sought additional financing to make some building improvements, refinance equipment, and purchase new equipment. Although LIDC could not use SBA 504 for the package because it involved refinancing (which is not SBA 504 eligible), LIDC was able to bring its innovative New Market Loan Program to the table- providing long term financing to accomplish the latest expansion. The New Market Fund can provide 0% down low cost fixed rate financing for entrepreneurs and non profits acquiring or improving their facilities and for expansion.
Ken Van DeWater Jr. once wrote "A business, like an individual, has a personality." For over 145 years Sentinel Printing has been a business with a personality, a personality which helped it play a vital role in the community it serves, a personality dedicated to family and quality of service. Now, with the help of the New Market Loan Fund from LI Development Corporation, Sentinel will continue and expand its service to the Hempstead community and beyond for many years to come.
For information on the SBA 504 or New Market Loan Fund to help your business or not-for-profit- see www.lidc.org.
Roslyn Goldmacher is a licensed real estate broker in N.Y. as well as president / CEO and founder of The Long Island Development Corp. & The Greater N.Y.
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