As the pandemic has forced those working and learning from home to dust off the old laptop, demand for computer and technology services has seen a boom.

Arpad Kovacs owns Pod Computers in Rochester, where he has sold and repaired computers for seven years. He says stores like his are a dying breed.

“You have to compete with Amazon and Best Buy, and a lot of computers have gotten less expensive and much harder to repair,” Kovacs said. “So it’s starting to go like a TV or radio repairman.”

And then the pandemic hit.

“It’s been a rollercoaster ride. I was closed for three months. So I went to zero revenue to, like I said, the busiest I’ve ever been,” Kovacs said.

Because of remote learning and working from home, he says he’s selling computers just as fast as he can get them ready.

“I thought it was going to be rough – and I was worried about what I was going to do. And all of a sudden…” Kovacs said.

Longtime customers like Bill Laforest say working from home has been an adjustment.

“It’s tricky to find a quiet space or quiet spot to be able to work for hours at a time without the distractions or the interruptions,” Laforest said.

But as he’s encountered issues with his computer, he says Arpad has been right there making it all a bit easier.

“Someone with his level of expertise, and being able to reach him on the telephone, reach him over email or come into his shop has been invaluable to me,” Laforest said.

So Arpad says, if you’re facing any issues, come on in. He promises work Amazon can’t offer.

“It’s personalized service. I get to know my customers, and I get to make sure their needs are met,” Kovacs said.