History Throughout the Years

1911 - Present: Our 108^th Anniversary

The Early Years

In May of 1911, a young man who moved to the United States from Sweden with his parents, David Anderson, purchased a 'made to measure' suit business in Jamestown, NY.  He soon moved into cleaning and pressing those suits in the garage of the family home on Falconer Street in Jamestown.  By 1925, the entire business was the cleaning of clothing for the residents of Jamestown and an additional location was purchased on North Main Street.  The business continued to grow, which allowed David's sons, Burton and Sydney, to join their father upon their return from WWII duty in the United States Navy.

In 1945, the success of the business allowed the Andersons to purchase the current location at 5 Hunt Road.  In subsequent years, store locations were added and a pick-up and delivery service initiated.  This served communities in Chautauqua and Cattaraugus Counties.

In the 1970's, the cleaners entered the uniform rental business.  In 1976, Burt and Syd sold the business to a 3^rd generation of family members: Mike and Barb Lyons--Burt's daughter.  The business continued to grow as the number of dry cleaning companies in the area decreased and uniform rental expanded. 

1985 rolled in with the company suffering a major setback as a devastating fire destroyed much of the Hunt Road facility.  Yet, with the support of dedicated employees, friends and customers, the cleaners survived and rebuilt its current facility at 5 Hunt Road.  The uniform rental business was sold and the company focused on providing the best possible quality and service in the professional dry cleaning and laundry business.

Into the 90s and Beyond

As the years went by, the Lyons Den was created at the Hunt Road facility as a retail clothing business and then a tuxedo rental business and still remains today.  We have also expanded our dry cleaning service area to cover the Warren and Kane, PA areas as well as entering into the fire, smoke, and water damage restoration business. 

Today, we stand as the largest and longest serving dry cleaning business in our region thanks to our dedicated employees, loyal customers, and wonderful friends over many years.

This year, we are proudly celebrating our 108^th anniversary of serving the communities in Western New York and Warren County, Pennsylvania!

2013

2013 marked the year for retirement for Mike & Barb. Anderson Cleaners, Inc. was bought by Andy and Beth Zappie, who also own Jim's Dry Cleaners in Dunkirk. The two businesses merged and became Cleaners of Chautauqua Inc. for Anderson Cleaners.