Polaris Telescope shop
Posted: Tue Jan 07, 2020 3:35 am
Thought I would share a short story about my first experience with Unitron refractors. I grew up in the suburbs of Detroit and my Grandparents lived in Dearborn, Mi. My parents bought me my first telescope in 1976 from K-Mart; it was a Focal brand 50mm/600mm focal length altazimuth refractor. This is what got me interested in Astronomy and observing. Around 1978 I discovered the Polaris Telescope shop on Michigan Avenue in Dearborn, Mi. My grandfather took me down to the store to see what was there. The proprietor was an older gentleman named Walt and his main line was Unitron refractors of which he had several there from 60 - 102mm. I was 11yrs old and just in awe of these telescopes. They were regal looking and beautiful to the last detail. Although I didn’t have the money to buy one of these beautiful instruments Walt still took the time to encourage me about Astronomy and said my grandfather and I could come up one evening and look through one of the Unitrons if we liked. I wish we had taken him up on that. I got some brochures and stopped in occasionally but never had the opportunity to get one. As I recall the store was open into the mid 1980’s before it closed. The shop was old and dusty with telescopes set up and parts everywhere you looked but just awesome for anyone into Astronomy. Thanks to my Grandpa and Walt for memories I still cherish to this day. I plan to get a Unitron scope at some point and would like to pick up a 3 or 4” Equatorial when the right one comes along. Thanks for letting me share.