In early 1976, Steve Loewen was looking forward to graduating high school. He had already paid for his first year of college at Penn State University, where he planned to study engineering. However, in March of that year, an auto accident claimed the life of his mother, Louise, and left Steve paralyzed with only limited use of his arms.

In 1976, Penn State was not equipped to accommodate a student in a motorized wheelchair. "They didn't even have curb cuts," pointed out Steve. With college out of the picture, Steve seized on the popularity of citizen's band radio, in which he had an interest. He purchased an operating Radio Shack store at 101 S. Railroad Ave., New Holland, in October of 1977. The store moved to 125 W. Main St. in 1979 and later to 375 W. Main St. By the late 1980s, Steve was tired of renting store space and purchased the house at 331 E. Main St. In the mid-1990s, he added the building in the back, which now serves as the store. Steve is currently celebrating the store's 45th anniversary.

Over the years, Steve has experienced the excitement associated with a number of firsts in the world of electronics. In 1978, he had one of the first TRS-80 Model 1 computers. "It had 4K of memory, and you saved information on a cassette tape," said Steve. Beginning in 2005, the switch from analog to digital television required a converter box. The government provided coupons, and Steve did the paperwork to handle them, helping 1,400 customers to make the change.

When SiriusXM radio signed a well-known shock jock in 2006, Radio Shack was involved and Steve's store was the area outlet. Steve sold and activated hundreds of the units. "Sirius was huge," recalled Steve. In 2015, Lancaster County Communications made the move to digital for first responders. "Everybody had to get new radios and scanners," said Steve, who was able to help local fire company members, families, and friends with the upgrade, which improved safety for all. "I have been blessed to have a front-row seat to the evolution and explosion in technology starting in 1980," Steve said.

When Radio Shack filed for bankruptcy and closed 7,000 stores in 2015, Steve's store became one of only a few in the state that remained open. Radio Shack still provides the store with limited products, along with a multitude of other suppliers. "We have the most inventory we've had in 15 years, and we've branched into amateur radio," said Steve. "We (also) fix Apple screens," he added.

"None of this would have been possible without hundreds of people who have come in and out of my life at the right times," said Steve, who added he believes God is responsible. For the last six years, Ralph Hess has served as his caregiver and general manager assisting Steve at the store, while also devoting time to the local community.

More information may be found by searching for "New Holland Radio Shack" on Facebook.