If it ain’t broke: Many large companies and organizations are often ridiculed for using outdated computers, but not every business requires the latest digital technology. Case in point: a bakery in Indiana has been photographed processing sales using a Commodore 64. This isn’t the first time a 21st-century business has been spotted using the top-selling 1982 PC, as the device remains beloved by enthusiasts today.
Photos have recently surfaced showing that Hilligoss Bakery in Brownsburg, Indiana, uses a pair of Commodore 64s as cash registers. While running a business on a 42-year-old PC might seem unusual, the device likely has sufficient processing power to ring up orders of donuts.
The pictures, originally taken in 2010, recently reappeared on social media. The C64s were also visible in another photo from 2021. Hilligoss Bakery appears to have a strong reputation, boasting a 4.7 rating on Google Maps and a 4.4 on Yelp.
Apparently, a Doughnut shop in U.S. is still using a Commodore 64 for business. pic.twitter.com/i7gO90JAZ4
– Tony Lyon (@RetroVidGaming) December 16, 2024
The Commodore 64, released in 1982, apparently remains the best-selling individual PC model of all time, with estimated sales between 10 and 17 million units. Priced at $595 upon release (approximately $1,945 in 2024 dollars), the system featured a 1 MHz CPU and 64KB of RAM, hence its name.
While most of the C64’s 10,000 software titles were games, it also supported business software, which companies like Hilligoss Bakery continue to use. It’s unclear whether the bakery has been using the Commodore 64s since 1982, but it’s possible, given that the business has been operating since 1974 and is celebrating its 50th anniversary this year.
Must read: The Commodore Story: Gone But Not Forgotten
This isn’t the only instance of businesses clinging to the Commodore 64. The Commodore USA Facebook page highlighted another example in 2016: an auto repair shop in Poland that has used a Commodore 64 to balance driveshafts since at least 1991 – even surviving a flood at one point.
In certain cases, using older technology can reduce costs and offer security through obscurity. For instance, Southwest Airlines avoided the infamous CrowdStrike data breach by continuing to use Windows 95. However, maintaining and repairing vintage equipment can pose significant challenges.
Fortunately, the enduring popularity of the Commodore 64 ensures that replacements, restorations, and repairs are still possible. Last year, a dedicated modder demonstrated that it’s feasible to build a new Commodore 64 from scratch using replacement parts. Additionally, a modern recreation of the device, released in 2019, supports original software and connects to modern displays via HDMI.
