Patton brothers purchase carpet cleaning business
By JOE L. HUGHES II Ledger Staff Writer joe@gaffneyledger.com

In most cases when a business changes hands, clients and customers are forced to make a choice between staying loyal to the company or taking their money elsewhere.

That choice wasn't needed for longtime customers of Gaffney Carpet & Upholstery Co., as many of them decided to stick with the business despite it being sold last November.

"Business has been good, with us keeping their old customers and bringing in new ones," said Charlie Patton, who along with brothers Don and Marion, are handling the carpet cleaning service's dayto day operations. They also oversee business at the Buford Street Drug Store.

The cleaning service was owned for more than 20 years by local business partners Ronnie Brown and Joe Robinson. During that time, the two of them gained a lot of success through cleaning all types of carpets, rugs and upholstery.

Through their numerous years of success, the brothers have been able to expand their services by offering to clean items on-site or bring them to their new digs behind Buford Street Drugs.

"The carpet and upholstery business was definitely a successful venture for them," Patton said. "They had been doing this for more than 20 years and earned the respect of all their clients."

With the business doing very well in town as well as around the county, the Patton brothers did not believe there was any way the carpet and upholstery service was on the market. However, a chance meeting at last year's Peach Festival proved otherwise.

"The conversation about the business was by accident," Patton said. "My brother was actually selling some vendor items at last year's Peach Festival when Brown and Robinson approached him about operating their carpet cleaning business.

"A few weeks later, negotiations were being made for the operation to change hands."

The business was sold in November, though Brown and Robinson would stick around to make sure the new owner was not overwhelmed.

"(Brown and Robinson) stuck around and gave my brother some on-the-job training," Charlie Patton said. "They were real receptive to everything, answering all questions when asked."

While no immediate plans have been made for the future, Patton said the company may soon begin cleaning ceramic tile.

"It is something we are looking to do in the future," Patton said. "We are doing the necessary research to make sure that we are able to do the job well and keep up with competition."