55 Years, Countless Memories

July is a month of celebration.

This year, our country marks its 250th birthday. Families and friends will gather for parades, cookouts, fireworks, weddings, reunions, vacations, and all the traditions that make summer special.

For me, July is also personal. On July 1, I'll celebrate my 55th birthday.

Birthdays have a way of making us reflect. As I've thought about the people, places, and experiences that have shaped my life, I've been reminded of something I've learned through many years in the garment care industry:

Clothes are rarely just clothes.

A wedding gown tells the story of a beginning.

A suit may remind someone of a promotion, a graduation, or an important milestone.

A favorite sweater can bring back memories of a loved one.

A tiny flower girl dress can remind a family of a joyful day that passed far too quickly.

The garments that come through our doors are often connected to moments that matter.

That is why our company slogan is simple:

We Care for What Matters.

We care for wedding gowns, heirlooms, business attire, uniforms, comforters, and everyday clothing. But beyond that, we care for the people who trust us with those items and the memories attached to them.

As we celebrate birthdays, anniversaries, Independence Day, and all the gatherings that fill our calendars this summer, I hope you'll take a moment to appreciate the memories being created.

The barbecue may leave a stain on a shirt. The wedding may leave grass marks on the hem of a gown. The vacation may leave sand in a suitcase.

Those things can usually be cleaned.

The memories are the part worth keeping.

Thank you for allowing our family business to be a small part of your celebrations, milestones, and everyday life.

Whether you've been a customer for twenty years or twenty days, we're grateful for the opportunity to serve you.

Here's to celebrating the moments that matter.

— Tami Parks
Owner, Great Lakes Clothing & Gown Care