Old Vac Shops

[vintagefox]

Was wondering if anyone has any old Vacuum store stories to tell. I just visited this old school store/repair shop that I recently discovered near my town. I already had a go to guy near me but a quick search in google showed a shop in the next town with various old machines and appliances in the background. I showed the owner Lowell some photos of my collection and soon found myself going on a small tour around the shop. Various Hoovers, Compact, Electrolux, GE, Eureka, and articles. Everything from an all original Hoover 541 with purchase receipt, to a brand new and never powered on Filtex (box wrapped up in storage along with tools.) I was even allowed into the back work area to look through parts bins for motor brushes I needed. I was offered a job opening, but I kindly declined since the other employee (though kind at the front desk) cursed like a sailor in the back area. The owner was kinda surprised that a young guy like me had an interest in very old machines. The odd thing was, he told me he was still looking for a Roll Easy and a Hospital G! I replied "You, Me, and almost everyone else I know!" As some of us know they are somewhat difficult to come across.

After the little chat we parted ways and ended up getting the carbon brushes for free, which I really appreciate. Overall a great fellow and nice way to spend an hr or so. Oh, by the way does anyone have any information/article about the ship that was carrying Electroluxes that ended up sinking into the ocean? I'd like to print it out and share it with him the next time I stop by.

Now for some pictures!

 

[vacuumlad1650]

I won't get into the now...I'm on my Cell, but I have TONS of Vac Shop stories!
A

 

[vintagefox]

Looking forward to hearing them!

-Alex

 

[kenkart]

A C-1 Compact!

And a NIB FILTEX!!! I would think I had died and gone to heaven!!!!!

 

[gottahaveahoove]

I could tell a few vac stories myself.

Some are funny, some nice, some wicked... perhaps too wicked for in here. They are they best ones.

 

[crazykirbydude]

I like to go to my local Aerus dealer, as he has a lot of stories, such as when an old employee pulled a gun on him when he caught the employee stealing vacs and parts. He has a lot of old machines, including a Model V! He even has an old CB in the back. He shares the same opinion on the PlastiCrap as we do, but he strongly dislikes Kirbys. Very nice guy. Probably will end up working for him when I turn 14.

 

[pr-21]

Vacuum shops have changed since the 70's and 80's. There is a vacuum store in Dayton, Oh that carried mostly Eureka's, Hoovers, Royals, and some commercial vacuums. He also had a basement full of old vacuums, to use for parts, etc. I wanted a new Eureka Vacuum that they had just came out with the 6 amp 2 speed esp motor, but I wanted the squared handle of a model 260 with the 2 speed switch in back of the handle. At the time he had a brand new square handle in storage and so he offered to switch out the handle, but it would take a few days to put on. When I picked it up, I bought an extra 2 speed switch, just in case as well. It was a great vacuum and I actually had it for at least 8 years or so and then a new model came out and I traded it in. (Mistake, I wish I had kept it, but I had not even thought of collecting a closet full of vacuums at that time in my life. I only had an upright and straight suction Eureka canister for above floor and hard floor cleaning.) Anyway years later, I wanted another eureka with the square handle so I went back to the vacuum store, but no new square handles left, however he did have an old Eureka in the basement with the square handle. I bought the new vacuum and he refinished the old handle to look like new. Moral to this story, there are not many if any vacuum stores that would do this now. The son took over after his dad retired and I tried to get some specialty work done on a vacuum, similar to what they did in the past, they flat told me they no longer do the specialty work since the son took over. I have tried to buy from them since, but you buy what you see with no chance of any custom work. They also only service what they sell. Out with the old and in with the new, destroyed a great vacuum store in my opinion.

There were many old corner vacuum stores around the Dayton and Cincinnati areas back then and it was fun to stop in every few months to see the new models and or their trade in pile of used vacuums. Nowadays, with all the plastic vacuums, I would imagine unless they are TOL like Riccar, Simplicity, Lindhaus, etc, they just go to the dumpster.....


Hope this helps with your question.


PR-21
Bud

 

[oreck_xl]

I'm jealous of that G.E. slimline upright in photo 15. Looks like quite an assortment of vintage machines....

 

[vintagefox]

@ PR-21: Very neat story! I believe there was a time where some of us didn't know we would end up collecting these old machines. I certainly didn't (though as a kid I did enjoy vacuuming) It wasn't until a 1 cent purchase of a vintage machine that would spark my interest in these machines. It's a bit of a shame that a ton of vac stores these days only stick to servicing the modern stuff and don't dare touch anything older than 1995.

The owner of this store said it was once a Janitorial supply business, until he took it over and made it to what it is now. Been in the vacuum business since the 1970s actually. I'm pretty certain he had an interest in these old machines when he was just a lad, considering that his father worked for Apex and later on was the "Machine Polisher" prior to his retirement. Thankfully his shop still repairs old machines, the Eureka shown in photo 18 is a personal project of his that's he's currently working on during his spare time. Later to be added with the rest of his collection which as you see, is displayed within the store.

-Alex