Steve McNamara
of Spartan Cleaners began his career in the dry cleaning industry
in 1956, at Fernwood Cleaners
in Oak Lawn, Illinois. From that point until 1972, with the exception
of two years in the military and two years at the University
of Illinois, Steve spent all of his working hours at Fernwood.
In June of 1972, an opportunity for self-employment
led Steve to establish Spartan Cleaners in Western Springs, Illinois.
Initially named “Sparkling Cleaners,” he decided that
a name change would be in order when he took over the business.
The High School he attended used the team name “Spartans” and
he had always liked the name. Steve had a sign company replace
the “kling” with “tan” on the existing
sign, and Spartan Cleaners was born.
After many harsh winters in Illinois, and having
visited Florida several times, Steve and his wife Nancy decided
to move the family south. In 1977, They, along with their kids
Keith and Laura, moved to Florida. After a brief vacation from
dry cleaning, Steve and Nancy opened Spartan Cleaners in Palm
Harbor, Florida in 1979.
With used equipment and a lot
of hope, Spartan Cleaners was born in the same location as
the operating facility is today at 32646 U.S, 19 North in Palm
Harbor. The philosophy employed from this humble beginning is
the same one used today: Treat people with respect
in a cheerful manner, offer services they desire and be sure
to inspect every detail. |
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Keith, Laura, Steve, and Nancy |
By 1984, Keith entered the business part-time
during high school. When he graduated from college in 1990, he
rejoined the family business on a full time basis. Laura
began her employment in 1986, and with the exception of time
off for college and having two children, has been
with the company ever since.
Spartan Cleaners now has three locations, and
plans for a fourth to open in early spring 2006. It has
grown to offer many added services, such as alterations/repairs,
free pickup and delivery, drapery cleaning, garment restoration
(for clothing and household items affected by flood and fire
damage), wedding gown cleaning and preservation and more.
Spartan Cleaners has also been awarded the prestigious “ Award
of Excellence from the Clothing Care Council in 2005, and is
a participating member of many trade and professional associations. |