Smithville Computer Repair 157 Georgia Lane 615-318-1471
As a self-confessed computer nerd with a degree in computer science, I really enjoyed my first stop this week at Smithville Computer Repair where its motto is “Your one stop computer shop for all your technology needs.”
Having grown up programming a TRS-80 and saving files on cassette tape, I never dreamed how good I would have it, technologically speaking, in the year 2017. As a kid we had a party line, and cell phones were ONLY on Star Trek.
Now, you can go to Smithville Computer Repair for state-of-the-art technology without leaving Smithville – go figure.
Now that I told you how old I am, let’s hear from owners Cris Mangin and Dan DeLaCruz, who are the new proprietors of SCR.
“We fix computers, we do servers, laptops and tablets. We pretty much can service all of those devices as well,” Mangin said. “We also install surveillance cameras and make in-house calls, do DVRs both commercially and personal use. We take care of the majority of DeKalb County.”
Although they don’t currently do any web hosting, they do service what they sell and can point you to the right services for an online presence.
“We do a lot of hardware installation and everything we sell we can service here, we don’t need to send anything out whether it be new or refurbished,” said DeLaCruz, who has been with Smithville Computer for over three years but recently took it over from Chris Allen. “We also do networking for small businesses around town. We’ve got lots of small businesses in town here. We sell new and refurbished equipment, wireless routers and some pretty cool stuff for extended range for up to seven miles.
“We did a pretty neat system for Highway 70 storage where they didn’t have it prewired for surveillance and set them up with a wireless system that goes back to their office that has been installed for over a year with an up-time of 99.99 percent.”
DeLaCruz said they have always had the high-end gear which can be pricey, but decided to add an entry-level line as well.
“We brought in a bunch of laptops and have a lot more coming. I wanted to make sure we had something for everybody from an entry-level price point on up, starting as low as $125. It’s something we haven’t focused on in a long time and I’m really not sure why, but we lost a lot of business because we didn’t have any less expensive gear. Desktop-side we custom build machines, we do gaming and business machines including servers,” he added.
And they even do cell phones … good to know. You can find them online at www.SmithvilleComputer-Repair.com and don’t give up if you can’t find their location right away. I used advanced technology by saying OK Google.

Animal Coalition Benefit Place – Just off the square on W. Walnut
I found a way to combine two personal favorites, shopping and helping animals in need, when I stopped by the Animal Coalition Benefit Place just off the square downtown. I was searching for manager Susan Wright, but after two trips - well three if you count my trip to the ATM - volunteer Edna Wright answered my questions.
Basically, if you shop at ACBP, all the proceeds go to help the new animal shelter take care of our local pets-to-be as they try to find a good home for area animals that haven’t been so fortunate to already have a good home.
They’ve got a little bit of everything for sale, from donated clothes, books, china and even electronics. I ended up with a coffee mug, a new pair of reading glasses and case, a porcelain honey bowl to go with my wife’s tea set and a Titans pen, wallet and key chain with a flashlight on it. Just what a sports writer needs.
Since both of our cats - Skittles and Gray - are adopted and fixed - I had the added knowledge I helped, albeit in a small way, caring for the animals in DeKalb. The store is staffed by volunteers who seem to care deeply about the store’s mission. So if you’re in the mood to browse, I highly recommend it. Thanks Animal Coalition Benefit Place for all you do.