SYRACUSE, N.Y. – In Syracuse, a neighborhood dry cleaner is stitched into one family’s history.
Passed down through generations, Genesee Cleaners in Syracuse has become more than a place to press suits and steam dresses. For owner Steve Becker, it is a way to preserve tradition and carry forward a legacy that began decades ago.
“I know I made my father so proud when I agreed to take ownership of the store in 2013,” said Becker when he finally purchased the business after years away from it.
And he made the purchase, because when artists like Bruce Springsteen or Prince have performed at the JMA Wireless Dome in the past, looking the part matters.
Becker said Springsteen has trusted the shop with his wardrobe and wanted to be a part of moments like that, as Bruce and so many others would hand over their clothes to a 12-person staff composed of individuals from all over the world.
“I’ve got six women from Burma that work here in the store, and a tailor from Afghanistan and another tailor from Sri Lanka,” Becker said. “It’s a very United Nations kind of feel.”
Though his employees come from around the world, Becker says the shop remains rooted in his family’s legacy in Central New York.
His grandfather, Henry Becker, bought the business in 1950. His father, Stanley Becker, took over in 1958 and ran the shop for 30 years. When it came time for Stanley to retire in 1988, it seemed natural that Steve would step in.
“When my father wanted to retire, he asked me to take over the store,” Becker said. “And I think I kind of broke his heart by saying no, that it was not what I wanted to do.”
Becker spent years away from the family business. But in 2013, when the shop went up for sale again, he said he knew it was time to return to his roots as he took over ownership of the cleaners.
Three years later, when his father died, Steve spoke at his eulogy, and of course, the dry cleaners came up.
“If you knew my father, you knew the three things that mattered the most to him were his family, his stamp collection, and his work here at Genesee Cleaners,” Becker said. “And then there was a pregnant pause. And I said, not necessarily in that order.”
VIDEO TRANSCRIPT
Augie Walters: When Bruce Springsteen performs at the jma wireless dome, its important he looks the part. So he drops his clothes off at the Genesee dry cleaners, and their twelve person melting pot of a crew does the rest.
Steve Becker: I’ve got six women from Burma that work here in the store, and a tailor from Afghanistan and another tailor from Sri Lanka. It’s a very United Nations kind of feel.
Augie Walters: But even with the diverse team, for owner Steve Becker, the focus has been carrying on legacy right here in Central New York. A shop his grandfather, Henry, bought in 1950, then his father, Stanley, took over for 30 years staring in 1958, it was sure to be Steve’s turn to take the reigns come 1988, right?
Steve Becker: When my father wanted to retire, you know, he asked me to take over the store, and I think I kind of broke his heart by saying no, that it was, not what I wanted to do.
Augie Walters: After years away, when the business went up for sale again in 2013, Steve knew it was time to return to his roots and make pops proud. And three years later, when Stanley passed away, Steve’s message to loved ones wouldn’t have been complete without mentioning the small shop at 212 Cherry Street.
Steve Becker: I said if you knew my father, you knew the three things that mattered the most to him were his family, his stamp collection, and his his work here at Genesee Cleaners. And then there was a pregnant pause, and I said, not necessarily in that order.
Augie Walters: and if you know Steve Becker, you know for him its all about community, and its about making sure that each everyone can look the part no matter what they are trying to do or where they are planning to go.
Caroline Sherlock: You honestly know the people that are walking through the door.
Augie Walters: Caroline Sherlock has worked with Steve ever since he purchased the store, and was not shy to share about the positive atmopshere in the building.
Caroline Sherlock: You’re not just coworkers, your family. Because we’re so close knit. We argue, we fight, we get on each other’s nerves, but then we get along and we’re okay in 20 minutes.
Augie Walters: Because at the end of the day, no matter what lineage may have led him here, the reason Steve loves working at the dry cleaners is because of the people.
Steve Becker: You get to know them beyond, you know, just the two shirts and three pairs of pants they’re dropping off. You get to know their families. You get to know their personal stories.
Augie Walters: A prime example of the people making the place. Augie Walters, NCC News
Today, Becker said the shop at 212 Cherry St. is about more than clothing. The entire staff believes it is about the customers.
“You honestly know the people that are walking through the door,” said Caroline Sherlock, who has worked alongside Becker since he purchased the store in 2013.
Sherlock described the workplace as close-knit and supportive.
“You’re not just coworkers, you’re family,” she said. “We argue, we fight, we get on each other’s nerves, but then we get along and we’re okay in 20 minutes.”
Because at the end of the day, the Genesee Dry Cleaners are about relationships extending beyond clothing orders.
“You get to know them beyond just the two shirts and three pairs of pants they’re dropping off,” Becker said. “You get to know their families. You get to know their personal stories.”