add a business| login|sign up |feedback

Colvin Cleaners

bookmark add photo write a review this is my business

In 1931 Phil and Angeline Billoni founded Colvin Cleaners on Colvin Blvd. in North Buffalo. A tailor by trade, Phil specialized in tailoring with dry cleaning secondary. They were the only employees for years. As business grew they moved in 1938 to a larger storefront in Kenmore and in 1943 they remained in the village by purchasing a building at 2375 Elmwood to house its plant and finishing operation. It remains the company headquarters. Phil’s brothers, Tony and Sandy, joined the business in the 40’s and for years the Billoni’s accounted for the majority of the small work staff. Upon his retirement 32 years ago, Phil sold the business to his brothers, who were laborers, their entire life and did not understand marketing and other key business elements. That all changed in 1978 when Tony’s son, Paul, while attending Buffalo State College, moved into the business. The sons and daughters of all three brothers grew up working in the business but Paul was the only one to make it his career. “When I became involved, there were seven employees and four were family,” explained Paul, whose mother, Josephine, became the company’s business manager. Today, Paul is president of Colvin Cleaners and Colvin Draperies. His wife Cyndee is vice president of the company. Educated at Geneseo State College to become a schoolteacher, Cyndee chose to work with her husband on the family business. Today, Colvin Cleaners employs 45, many with more than 15 years experience.

Reviews