Business & Tech

Berkeley Metal Shop Open Since 1909 Announces It Will Be Closing

The Walter Mork Company began in 1909, a few years after the San Francisco earthquake.

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"Just not enough profitable volume of work, and it's also very hard to find really good people anymore," said owner Fred Mork, pointing to a worker measuring a long piece of flashing. "Ironically, the more complicated the project, the better he does."
"Just not enough profitable volume of work, and it's also very hard to find really good people anymore," said owner Fred Mork, pointing to a worker measuring a long piece of flashing. "Ironically, the more complicated the project, the better he does." (Google Maps)

CBS Bay Area

/ CBS San Francisco

Economic conditions in the Bay Area have changed so radically since the pandemic that a lot of legacy businesses are being forced to close. The latest is a 116-year-old metal shop in Berkeley that has become a victim of new technology.

Find out what's happening in Berkeleyfor free with the latest updates from Patch.

The Walter Mork Company began in 1909, a few years after the San Francisco earthquake, when Walter brought his metal fabrication skills to Berkeley to open his own shop.

"My grandfather is this man right here with the balding head," said Fred Mork, pointing to a grainy black and white photograph on the office wall.

Find out what's happening in Berkeleyfor free with the latest updates from Patch.

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