Pearl River Man Opens Computer Lounge in Nanuet

Before this year, Michael Paine knew April 1 as the day Apple started back in 1976. 

However, Paine has a bit more personal connection to April 1 after this year, as roughly two weeks ago it was the day he opened The Hub in Nanuet. The Hub is part Internet cafe, part repair shop and part school. 

At The Hub, guests can use both Mac and PC computers for free, have their computer, cell phone or tablet repaired and signed up for group classes or personal one-on-one sessions to learn about all the different capabilities of their computers. 

“For years people have told me I should be a teacher because I’m very patient,” Paine said. “I’m able to explain very technical things in non-technical terms.”

But instead of teaching, Paine, of Pearl River, worked in computer repair and network setups. He tried selling computers for a bit, but couldn’t compete with larger corporations who could mass produce computers and sell them cheaper. But from there Paine started thinking about another idea for a business. 

“People have been telling me I need a brick and mortar storefront to appear more legitimate,” he said. “I was looking around and thought there was a market for someone who could show people how to use the computers they buy. You can buy computers pretty much anywhere now, but where do you go to learn how to use it? I’d estimate most people are only using about five percent of what their computers are capable of. We go on, check our email, go on Facebook and surf the internet. They can do so much more.”

Paine settled in Nanuet partly to stay close to his family. His father started the Pearl River Car Wash nearby about 35 years ago. His mother opened The Tanning Zone, which his brother now runs and is located just a few stores down from The Hub. 

“We’re very close to the community,” Paine said. “I think here at The Hub we’re providing a service people in this community need. I think, especially for the older population, they’re buying computers for when their kids and grandkids come to visit. Their families are trying to teach them to get on Skype so they can talk or do other things, and we can help show them how to do that.”

The jam sessions will last an hour and cost $10 per person, and will seat six to eight people. Paine said some will have predetermined topics and others will be more open so people can ask questions and dictate what they learn about. Paine has three techs who work at The Hub with him, and said they all have different areas of knowledge, and will lead the jam sessions in their own areas of expertise. 

Paine is also offering a membership for $30 a month. With the membership comes access to the The Hub’s lounge, which will seat about 18. There will be free wifi and coffee, plus every table has outlets.

“I envision it as a place people who work but might not have an office can stop by during their day to send some emails, do their billing, invoicing and do things like that,” he said. “I know how it is when you try to work out of some businesses, and everyone is fighting for the one table by an outlet and you’re getting kicked out in like a half hour if you don’t buy anything.”

The lounge will also be where the jam sessions take place, and members can listen in on as many sessions as they’d like. They also get one free jam session a month with the membership, as well as 10 percent off anything in the store. 

People will also be able to print from any computer there, both in the lounge and from the other computers. Paine added that if anyone is worried about typing any information into their public computers there for use, their system is set up to not remember any personal info and it erases all of it every time the computer is rebooted. 

Paine is also looking to help out others in the local community. He said in the store’s first few weeks, he’s had another local business owner come in and ask for help with creating and running a website. The lounge is also looking for local artists to contribute work. 

“We want to provide a venue that local artists can use to showcase their work for sale and get exposure to the community,” Paine said. “Our lounge is the perfect place to do this. We're very excited to be able to help local artists gain more exposure.”

While the The Hub had its soft opening on April 1, its grand opening is Saturday from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. Paine said there will be food from Banchetto Feast in Nanuet and he and his employees will be there to show people all the different features the store offers. 

However, just because the grand opening is on April 20th, Paine said the actual opening date of the store will forever be a part of The Hub, especially thanks to the last four digits of the phone number he requested for the store. 

“I requested the phone number 845-418-4113 and got it,” he said. “And right there in the number, that’s our opening date.”

The Hub is open Monday-Friday from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m. and Saturday from 9 a.m.  to 9 p.m. The Hub is located at 156 Main St., Nanuet, across the street from Jimmy's On Main.