SCRANTON -- An appliance store in Scranton that's been in business for almost 50 years is closing its flagship store to make way for new business development in the city's south side.
But, the Vac-Way name isn't going away.
Paul Partyka's life and career could be defined on Cedar Avenue in Scranton where he and his brothers learned and then took over their father's vacuum business. It all started in 1966, but soon their three Vac-Way stores will become two and the flagship in south Scranton will be torn down.
"I`m not really that sentimental of a person, but some people in our family will be. I`m still going to be working in our other store so I may not realize it as much," said Paul Partyka.
Vac-Way Appliance has been in the spot since 1972, on Cedar Avenue since the 1960's. The Partykas signed over their building to United Neighborhood Centers so it can be razed and make way for a redevelopment project on the block.
The folks at Vac-Way aren't sure when the building will be torn down, but they said the chance to sell it came at an opportune time, and just like they have since 1966, they'll adapt to the changes.
"A lot of people have gone out of business that were here, we`re one of the few that are left that still have a going enterprise. Since the big box stores came in, a lot of the stuff we used to sell and fix we don`t anymore, but we`ve changed to adapt to that," added Partyka.
A lot of Vac-Way's business now is selling and repairing lawn equipment. They have loyal customers who have kept them afloat. Vac-Way's owners hope those customers keep coming to their other locations in Kingston and Moscow.
New storefronts will replace the shop on Cedar Avenue. Some are being built now right next door. Other business owners are looking forward to the changes.
"It`s an historical landmark, it`s sad to see them go but like everything has a beginning and an end, they`re moving on to bigger and better things," said Stephon Draper of South Side Cuts & Fades Barber Shop.
Draper hopes to move his family's barber shop into the storefronts where Vac-Way stands now, and perhaps he can take a lesson in longevity from the Partykas.