Lyman Jones, owner of Nu-Way Cleaners

On March 18th - fifty years ago, a young man, just 25 years old and who had been working at Nu-Way Cleaners for two years, was presented with an opportunity. The previous owner had suffered a lot of business setbacks due to the harsh winter of 1960 and found it difficult to be able to make the mortgage payments on the business. After a year of not making any payments, the business was “up for grabs”.

 On March 18,1961 precisely at 11 a.m. the sale of the business was being offered to cover the mortgage. No one else showed up or participated in the sale, because it was tough times. At 11:18 a.m. the deal was made. That’s when Lyman and Jean Jones became the new owners. The couple never looked back. They worked long hours and still do. A half a century later Lyman still works 12 hour days. His wife of 55 years, Jean, has worked side by side with him and is still involved with the business. They have two children, Rick and Ann, four grandchildren and one great-grandchild. His son Rick was raised in the family business, located in the alley, 107 W. Arey St., behind Shelby Cafe. He  still works there with his parents. 

This is quite a success story of a farm boy who lost his father when he was just 9 months old. He was raised with his sister and two brothers by his grandfather. 

Although the business doesn’t open until 7 a.m., Lyman is still there every morning at 5:30 a.m.  He said: “I like to do what I do and always try hard to take care of my customers.” He obviously does that very well because he has customers that have been with him almost as long as he’s owned the cleaners. He knew when they bought the business, it was “sort of out of the way in the alley” and they would have to make “the extra effort”. As a result, they have many loyal customers. 

At 76 years of age, Lyman Winslow Jones is still going strong and is quite an inspiration to anyone who wants to stay focused and work hard to achieve, a formula that cannot be
denied.