The Computer Cellar is owned by Daryn O’Shea, who started Triangle Laptops in Charlotte, NC, and then began serving Durham in 2003. Initially the company focused on internet sales of laptop repair parts. However, as the company grew in Durham, the crew found themselves testing, repairing, and rebuilding laptops for internal use, as favors for friends, and eventually for resale. Naturally, they wanted to offer this experience and expertise to the Durham community.
In 2010, The Computer Cellar opened in the basement of the Couch Building on 9th Street. Word of mouth quickly spread – there was finally a repair shop right in the heart of Durham, close to Duke, and there could be found honest, straightforward people with sympathy for you and your wallet. The Computer Cellar won IndyWeek’s best-of awards year after year, and climbed to the top of the online review rankings for local computer repairs, with customers raving about the experience and quality of the work.
In 2016, The Computer Cellar moved into a new space – the basement of the historic Regulator Bookshop at 720 9th Street. The technical staff briefly put down their screwdrivers and grabbed sledgehammers, demolishing some left-behinds of old tenants and having a crew renovate the space into an attractive, comfortable work environment that’s designed to streamline our workflow and securely store your device while it’s in our care.
The Computer Cellar makes a point of pride of their team of motivated, savvy individuals who combine personal, friendly service with a sense of humor, technical skills, and respect for you, your computer, and your data. We take the time to explain what’s ailing your computer with patience and in terms you can understand.
Gabriel, Operations Manager + Lead Technician
Born and raised in Durham, Gabriel is our general operations manager. He came to us with several years of computer building, repair, and general service experience as well as customer service expertise, and has now been with The Cellar for over nine years. He keeps our office organized, technicians on-target, and everything running smoothly, while simultaneously handling high-level technical repair and maintaining our facilities, website, and general existence.
Kayla, Technician
Enthusiastic about technology, DIY, and everything weird, Kayla is a talented tech who handles most of our screen repairs, tons of assorted random issues, and plenty of customer service on top.
Henry, Junior Technician
Our newest addition is quickly learning adding more technical skills to his toolbelt while also being excellent at directly explaining matters to customers, assisting with problem-solving, and helping us with some of the day-to-day mundane stuff too!
Daryn, Owner
Daryn is a Navy veteran who, following his service, has subsequently spent well over a decade in IT. For the past 12 years, he has been the owner of The Computer Cellar on 9th Street in Durham. Daryn is largely uninvolved in our day-to-day operations, as he’s now co-owner of I.T. Guys, a managed services provider for businesses all over the Triangle area (and beyond!)