The Greenville Area Chamber of Commerce is looking to spotlight small town businesses that give their customers giant-sized service with a smile through a new “Business of the Month” Program. It’s a concept that Chamber Director Francine Wasden has been working to implement since late 2016.

“The Chamber is all about recognizing and appreciating local businesses,” said Wasden. “And the BOTM recognition is a good way to individually highlight these businesses and show them our appreciation and recognition of what they do every day to make our community a great place to live and work.”

And so the Chamber is kicking off 2017 with the announcement of its very first Business of the Month, Majors Laundry & Cleaners on West Commerce St. in Greenville.

Wasden says the choice of the laundry and dry cleaners, which is celebrating its 70th year in business in the Camellia City in 2017, is an obvious one.

“They have been here for seven decades, they are involved in community events and also work hard to give back to the community,” said Wasden. “Jane and Tabbetha always have a smile on their faces when customers walk through the door. They offer such great customer service.”

Majors Laundry & Cleaners is the oldest surviving dry cleaning and laundry business in the Camellia City. In 1947, John B. Majors purchased Royal Ray’s dry cleaning business located on Commerce St. in uptown Greenville next to the former Greenville Advocate office while the laundry portion of the business was located on Oglesby Street. John Major’s son, E. Allen Majors, began working with his father at the business in late 1947.

In 1962, Allen Majors purchased the dry cleaning and laundry business from his father, relocating it to the top of West Commerce St. where it is still “open for business” 55 years later.

Allen Majors and his wife Mary continued to run the business until May 1992 when they sold it to their daughter Jane Majors Adams and her husband, Ronnie. In 2002, the couple remodeled and expanded the business by taking in the former funeral home building adjacent to it. Take note of the windows in this section of the business: they are likely the only dry cleaning establishment with windows shaped like traditional church windows.

In 2006, Jane and Ronnie Adams sold the business. However, in 2014, Jane Adams resumed ownership of the laundry and dry cleaners and remains owner and operator of this hometown business fixture.

Being the recipient of the very first Business of the Month recognition is “exciting,” says Adams. “I was just so thrilled when Francine called and told me we were selected as the first business to receive the honor. My daddy would be so proud.”

She is also excited to see the business reach this milestone anniversary.

“It’s such a great thing . . . throughout the years, we’ve had so many great and loyal customers. There are customers who come in now that came here when my daddy was still here,” Adams said.

“We are so thankful for our customers. We couldn’t celebrate a 70th anniversary without such great customers.”

Wasden is looking forward to receiving more nominations for future Businesses of the Month. To be considered for the recognition, a  business should be a Chamber member in good standing, be in operation for no less than three years, provide outstanding customer service and employ fewer than 15 employees in the business.

To nominate a business call the chamber at 382-3251.