Jimmy Berilla

Yes, Jim is gone. But now Jim and Ralph Brown are making a new Trading Post in Heaven.

      Will miss him as a friend.  Chats on slow summer afternoons about Corvettes and politics.  My young sons sitting on the stools, feet banging the glass cases while I picked out starter sets.     Him pulling out from somewhere a prized postwar piece. Truly one of a kind.

Rest easy

Pete S

I'm sorry to learn of your loss.

-Greg

Oh, so very sad to hear. Rest in peace, my old buddy. Many a happy time spent at the Trading Post talking with Jim. It is truly the end of an era for model railroading in northern Ohio. 

Looks like a great train store. Sorry he is gone. Will someone keep the shop open? Don

scale rail posted:

Looks like a great train store. Sorry he is gone. Will someone keep the shop open? Don

Well, I have no recent information on the store’s status, but Jim had no children so I suspect he had no clear line of succession. He was pretty much a one-man operation. He wanted me to help him out seadonally at one point, but he wasn’t paying even minimum wage and wanted me to take my pay in trains. I wasn’t biting on that one. 

Jim was very old school and didn’t like or trust computers. He accepted only cash until around the mid2000s when he finally succumbed to taking credit cards, something I had urged him to do to boost sales. His inventory system was “Madison Hardware 1.0”: he kept track of everything in his head .

Quite a guy and always very nice to me.  The last time I saw him before I moved to California ten years ago, he called out “I love you, Dave” from the back room as I was leaving.  I yelled back the same to him.  Glad we settled that issue and without any mush.

Other than a couple of phone talks along the way since, that was it. We traded Christmas cards every year through 2018, though and it was always nice to do.

Rest in peace, my old friend; the good memories will linger on.

Please give it some time. the family will take care of it. Plus the good friends of him. Tom Sr.

I just wanted to add, I didn't think there were any train shops like that anymore. The video reminded me of the 50's when almost every town had something like that. You guys in Ohio were lucky you had "The Trading Post" as long as you did. Don

OMG! This is such a shock, sad news indeed. I was a regular customer when Ralph owned it up until 2004, when I moved to Arizona. Jim would often recognize my voice over the phone. In fact, I just called a couple of weeks ago, just to see if he was open, he sounded like his usual self. I went on Google and gave him a nice review just a couple of weeks ago.

I would imagine the store to be willed to someone in his family. I'm sure the business will resume someday a lot of O gauge enthusiasts in NE Ohio for sure, but will take awhile.

I hope nobody is waiting on any repair work.

Found this article about Jimmy and the Trading Post from December 2017.

Oh, sorry to hear this.  What a cool shop; you could go off the grid for days poking around in there!

I am very saddened by this news.  Trading Post was one of those old time Lionel shops.  Jim's store isnt far from me and was a stop I always enjoyed making.  One day last winter I stopped in his shop and he had Glenn Miller music playing and on a tv set was an old Johnny Carson show rerun.  Jim told me this was his escape to earlier years.  He could create a time warp in that shop and try to forget about the news of today.   I often think of that and do the same.  Sometimes Jim would have donuts to share from locally famous Jack Frost Donuts.  I used his idea of using  peg board displays on the wall for Lionel trains and the old tin ceiling of that old storefront building to a corner of my train room. 

I hope someone can continue the store.  If not, its a sad loss. Jim will be missed!

Tuscan Jim posted:

Oh, sorry to hear this.  What a cool shop; you could go off the grid for days poking around in there!

I always thought of it as a smaller version of Madison Hardware. I had the privilege of exploring the catacombs with Jim on a number of occasions and it was mind-boggling how much Lionel product he had squirreled away. 

He had his own pad next door to the shop complete with kitchen. Upstairs were several apartment suites which he rented out (he owned the whole building).

In the garage out back he kept several cars over time. His pride and joy was his Corvette. 

Like Madison Hardware, visiting the Trading Post was an adventure.

Sounds like he had his own little world there...quite an interesting guy!

My first Trading Post experience was in the mid 60s when my father introduced me to pre war Lionel tinplate.  I would return as often as I could talk dad into driving me to the west side until I got a drivers license.

When I heard there was a new owner I paid a visit.  I got a grand tour of everything including the basement!  Jim told me about being from Cleveland and his experience as a radio DJ in Pittsburgh.  He gave me a portrait promo postcard of him in a suit and a demo cassette tape of his show.  

There was obviously no such thing as a short story with Jim.....

When he got his Corvette he took me out back to see it.  A complete explanation ensued as to why this was the best one to have (1985?) specifically because the clip tilted forward and gave complete access to the engine compartment.

And when he got a new car (PT Cruiser?) he went thru the entire list of options and the deal he cut.

Jim was a generous man....

You could walk in the front door and by the time you got to the back counter there was a cup of coffee waiting for you.

We went to a public train meet one Sunday morning only to find out it was abruptly cancelled.  Jim says lets go have breakfast.  Breakfast specials were inexpensive at best and when we went to pay we both pulled out a ten dollar bill.  Jim took his ten and put it under his coffee cup with his receipt and said to me--lets make this lady's day.  I followed suit.  Then we left.

My wife got me many a birthday and Christmas present from Jim.  When I told her Jim had died at his shop "with his boots on" she said, Jim really loved that place.

The last time we talked he reminded me of a sound board I made for a cattle car he had.  He truly delighted in the novelty of the sounds.

Jim and the environment he created for all of us local train guys will be greatly missed.

Lou N

Received a text from Jim's repair technician that he had passed away. Quite a blow to hobbyists in NE Ohio. Jim was one of a kind. I'm happy to have known him, though not as closely as some of you, and I will miss patronizing his store. It was a link to my father and grandfather who patronized the store even before Jim owned. Jim was a great advisor when I was a O Gauge newbie and always treated me fairly. He will be missed.

I wonder what's next for the shop and the massive amount of inventory.

Doesnt matter,  Stuff can be replaced,  Jim,s unique character made the shop what is was and cant be replaced. 

PETE S posted:

Doesnt matter,  Stuff can be replaced,  Jim,s unique character made the shop what is was and cant be replaced. 

Very much the same as the famous Madison Hardware in NYC. Jim ran the place by the seat of his pants - inventory and stocking info was all in his head. No computers.  He only started taking credit cards around fifteen years ago. The previous owner, Ralph Brown, kept telling Jim not to accept them as they cut into profits. ( Jim had purchased the store from Ralph in 1989.)

He had a catacombs of back rooms and basements, too, like Madison did. It was mind-blowing to see what was stored away down there. A real treat to see and an honor I appreciated.

Unlike the owners of Madison, though, Jim could be feisty from time to time,  but he was really a very nice guy and a real gentleman. I am proud he was my friend.

A sad, sad time for his many friends.

Jimmy, you were the best and most loved friend I ever had. We miss you so much and cherish all the memories we made together. The meals we shared, the movies we watched, the jokes we told, the cars we drove, the train hobby we were Infected with, the song's we sang, the lady's we loved, the regrets we had, the country we served, the heart aches we endured, the gifts we exchanged, the anchovies on our pizzas, the grief we felt at the passing of my brother, the compassion you showed when my son lost his hands. the panic felt when you had your stroke, the joy of your recovery and the loneliness and helplessness of the last phone call. Rest now In peace until our reunion. We love you, Randy and Emilia

I can see from the above responses that a Great Ambassador of the Hobby has passed on to the Eternal world of no hurts or pains. May he Rest In Peace. It would have been nice to have visited his unique store, sounds like he was a kind and humble person. Great thread. Your comments are so nice to read. Thank you.

I’m sorry that I never visited the store when I was in Ohio.  RIP Jimmy

I wish I had thanked Jim for keeping this store going.  Trading Post was a place I would stop on the dreary Ohio winter days to pass some time and pick up some layout supplies or unexpected purchases.  Jim and I shared a liking for the Williams trains products.  Simpler reliable trains, and the desire for simpler days.   Several of my locomotives came right off those peg board display shelves.  Metroliner sets Jim referred to as Amtrak "commuter trains" came from his shop.  Once I was seeking some scale sized Lionel hoppers there.  Jim said he might have some and invited me to the back rooms where shelves of Lionel revealed what I was looking for and more.  

During the summer months Jim enjoyed his boating and cars.  I always enjoyed his phone message during the summer reduced hours.  "Take a break" he said, enjoy the short summer.   I am saddened to think that this summer break will not end with fall days stopping back in to visit the Jim and the Trading Post.   

VistaDomeScott posted:

During the summer months Jim enjoyed his boating and cars.  I always enjoyed his phone message during the summer reduced hours.  "Take a break" he said, enjoy the short summer.   I am saddened to think that this summer break will not end with fall days stopping back in to visit the Jim and the Trading Post.   

 

Yep, oddly enough, I ran into Jim at East Harbor State Park on Marblehead a few years ago.  I think that was his semi-retirement home area for summers.

raising4daughters posted:

VistaDomeScott posted:

During the summer months Jim enjoyed his boating and cars.  I always enjoyed his phone message during the summer reduced hours.  "Take a break" he said, enjoy the short summer.   I am saddened to think that this summer break will not end with fall days stopping back in to visit the Jim and the Trading Post.   

 

Yep, oddly enough, I ran into Jim at East Harbor State Park on Marblehead a few years ago.  I think that was his semi-retirement home area for summers.

Jim had been spending a lot of time at his place on Catawba going back maybe twenty years now. He loved it up there. He closed the Shop during the summer months from Sunday to Wednesday to give him a lot of time up there. 

Just today the obituary for Jim is up on www.cleveland.com, if you are interested in reading it. They are suggesting donations to “The Wounded Warriors Project” for those so inclined to give. Also, you can write a condolence message at the obit site, as well. I did both. Great guy and friend. 

I am Jim Berillas niece and just wanted to respond to everyone's wonderful, kind posts about my Uncle Jim. It's been a little over a year since he's gone now and we all really miss him so much. He was a wonderfully kind, fun and tender hearted person who added so much to our lives. The Trading Post has been part of my life since I was young and has been part of my nephew's and niece's lives since their birth so this Christmas Season especially it's been sad not being able to be with Uncle Jim and participate at the store. Last year was a whirlwind as many of you know my husband Jim Hackett and I had to take on the responsibility of inventorying and selling everything. We could never have done this without the guys who helped us at the train shop. Those were the guys who have been with my Uncle Jim for many years and they live, breathe and dream trains! We knew nothing about them and still don't know anything except what track is and an engine and a few other things, lol!! Last Christmas was one of the highlights of my life as I got to be in the shop and around the things Uncle Jim worked on and loved. It was like he was still with us through it all. Looking back now of course it would have been great to keep the store running. Who would've known about COVID only 2 months later though so the timing was a Godsend.

Thank you EVERYONE who was part of my Uncle's life and part of the shop. Truly that street in Cleveland is very different now. Truly Cleveland itself is different for me and my family. Our family memories are rich and warm because of my Uncle. I can still hear the echo of his train whistle in my mind as I remember him pulling that chord when he would sell another train set. I remember the laughter and big band music 🎶 and the cups of hot coffee and my Uncle tinkering away at the front work bench. I remember Eddie (we called him Eddie the Elf) fixing stuff in that basement.  We miss you Uncle Jim and your memory lives on in each train whistle, railroad crossing and child's train set.

Merry Christmas everyone, thank you again for your warm condolences and memories.

Very nice note there, Bernie. I enjoyed meeting you and your husband Jim last winter.  You're right, Cleveland won't be the same without The Trading Post Train Shop on Pearl Rd., but it was such a nice and respectful gesture that you kept the tradition alive by transferring the Trading Post name to the folks out in Middlefield.  Covid has gotten in the way of a trip out there, but I'll be heading out there soon.

@Bernie Hackett posted:

I am Jim Berillas niece and just wanted to respond to everyone's wonderful, kind posts about my Uncle Jim. It's been a little over a year since he's gone now and we all really miss him so much. He was a wonderfully kind, fun and tender hearted person who added so much to our lives. The Trading Post has been part of my life since I was young and has been part of my nephew's and niece's lives since their birth so this Christmas Season especially it's been sad not being able to be with Uncle Jim and participate at the store. Last year was a whirlwind as many of you know my husband Jim Hackett and I had to take on the responsibility of inventorying and selling everything. We could never have done this without the guys who helped us at the train shop. Those were the guys who have been with my Uncle Jim for many years and they live, breathe and dream trains! We knew nothing about them and still don't know anything except what track is and an engine and a few other things, lol!! Last Christmas was one of the highlights of my life as I got to be in the shop and around the things Uncle Jim worked on and loved. It was like he was still with us through it all. Looking back now of course it would have been great to keep the store running. Who would've known about COVID only 2 months later though so the timing was a Godsend.

Thank you EVERYONE who was part of my Uncle's life and part of the shop. Truly that street in Cleveland is very different now. Truly Cleveland itself is different for me and my family. Our family memories are rich and warm because of my Uncle. I can still hear the echo of his train whistle in my mind as I remember him pulling that chord when he would sell another train set. I remember the laughter and big band music 🎶 and the cups of hot coffee and my Uncle tinkering away at the front work bench. I remember Eddie (we called him Eddie the Elf) fixing stuff in that basement.  We miss you Uncle Jim and your memory lives on in each train whistle, railroad crossing and child's train set.

Merry Christmas everyone, thank you again for your warm condolences and memories.

Your uncle was a great guy. So many happy hours spent with him over coffee while sitting on the ever-present bar stool he kept handy for his guests. I think I paid for at least one of his back rooms with all the money I spent at the TP.

As I left the store on my last visit back in May, 2009 (as we were about to move to California), Jim yelled out from the back room, “I love you, Dave!”

I replied, “I love you, too, Jim.” And I did. Those were the last words we spoke in person. Kinda fitting, I think. Such fabulous memories  

Thanks for posting this.  

That's nice to hear that your last words with him were positive and happy ones. Thanks for sharing.

I'm sorry I never made it over to see Jim and The Trading Post.  We brought our older daughter over to Cleveland Clinic on Euclid Avenue many times 15 to 20 years ago.  We could have swung down after her appointments.  It sounds like he was one of those special people that you last something if you never met him in person.  My condolences and prayers to all who miss him!!!