Cleaning Up Fenton Since 1972

Ray York is in the entertainment business. That’s how he explains part of his business,

“These are toys,” he said of his display of Baby Lock brand sewing machines. “No one has to sew their own clothes anymore. These are fun things.”

Most of his sewing customers are into quilting or embroidery as a creative hobby. He sells basic machines for beginners and more complex models, such as sergers (machines that stitch, cut and bind the edges of fabric in one pass), computerized embroidery machines and machines just for quilters.

Sew & Vac sells 100 percent cotton quilting fabric, thread, sewing notions and offers a variety of sewing classes. Customers who buy a machine are entitled to free, personalized lessons on the machines.

The other half of his business is more utilitarian.

“Everyone needs a vacuum,” York said.

He tries to offer his customers the best cleaning machines he can find. “We cherry-pick the best models, based on our experience, to give the customer the best thing for them at each price point,” he said.

In his lineup are the lesser known, but high-quality Riccar vacuums which are made in St. James, MO. York said these American-made machines are superior to the better-known Hoovers and Eurekas, which he also carries.

He also sells janitorial supplies for cleaning companies or for homeowners interested in industrial-strength products.

Fenton Sew & Vac grew from the High Ridge Sewing Center, which was started by his parents, Ray and Aledea York in 1972. Later they added locations in Fenton and Washington, but since the senior York passed away, his son only operates the Fenton store. He’s not a multilocation kind of guy, York said.

He started working with his dad after being laid off, first from Chrysler in the 1980s and then later from McDonnell-Douglas. He said his dad asked him to help repair sewing machines, and he never left. Now he, his wife and their grown son run the business.

He logs plenty of hours at the work bench repairing sewing machines. He has learned enough about the machines to put them through their paces and even demo stitches for customers.

But, he said, “You wouldn’t want to wear anything I’d sew.”

These days, his wife Dorothy handles sewing machine sales.

The service department at Sew & Vac has grown with the business. The store has four full-time technicians, two for vacuums and two for sewing machines.

“Ninety-nine percent of the repairs are done right here on the premises. A lot of sites have to farm out their service work, particularly with sewing machines,” he said.

Sew & Vac can work on most makes and models of sewing machines and vacuum cleaners and also has a huge inventory of parts.