I marvel at stores that sell very specific goods or services and are able to survive in light of big box stores and online shopping. In 2015, I identified some of these places – a store that only sells lamp shades, another that solely stocks scuba gear – and sadly, a couple have closed since the story posted. 

Recently, I was stopped at a red light on Oklahoma Avenue in the Polonia neighborhood, and I looked to my right at a large, weathered sign that read "Economy Color TV ... We repair all makes." I had seen the sign many times before, but this time I had a minute to photograph it.

I later put the photo on Instagram with a comment about how I was surprised but glad such a shop still exists. The concept seems so outdated. In our disposable world, do people really repair TVs anymore?

Well, 99.1 The Mix's Elizabeth Kay did – and it saved her more than $400. Kay and her husband were literally in the process of replacing their 3-year-old Samsung Smart TV (which they had dropped) when she saw my post on Instagram and called Economy. Within a day, they diagnosed the problem and fixed the TV's control panel for $190.

"The warranty on it was expired, so it would have been $600 to buy a new one," says Kay. "I’m so glad I saw your post!"

Ah, the power of social media. And reliable, old-school services. I continue to marvel.