YOUNGSTOWN -- Since the late 1930s, the O'Connor family has been doing a lot to keep the Mahoning

YOUNGSTOWN -- Since the late 1930s, the O'Connor family has been doing a lot to keep the Mahoning Valley clean.
In 1938, the family opened a vacuum cleaner business in the basement of their Lowell Avenue home on the South Side. That started a 37-year partnership between John F. O'Connor Sr. and his son John F. O'Connor Jr. A little later, another son, Don O'Connor, got on board, and in 1941, the family moved the business to 3224 Market St., where it remains.
"My dad worked for the Hoover Co. and won its highest award in 1930," Don O'Connor said. "He delivered sweepers and small electrical appliances."
O'Connor has been in the vacuum cleaner business since age 16, when he did whatever jobs his father needed. Except for two years in the Army in the 1950s, O'Connor has remained in the business. In the mid-1970s, his father and brother died, and he became sole owner of O'Connor's Sales & amp; Service.
At first, the business specialized in selling Hoover vacuum cleaners, but later it expanded to include many other brands, as well as numerous electrical appliances and individual parts for newer and older models. Today, about 60 percent of the business is in repairs and 40 percent is in sales.
Collections
O'Connor said that, despite the emergence of several large chain stores, he's able to stay competitive. His business carries warranties from more than 50 factories, and many customers bring in their older toasters, lamps and other appliances for repairs.
O'Connor does more than sell and repair new and old vacuum cleaners. He also collects them. Numerous models line the wall of a storage building, including hand-pumped and friction-powered devices that were built as far back as 1910.
O'Connor's collection, however, isn't limited to rare vacuum cleaners and sweepers. He's also a model car enthusiast and sports four models of 1964 Oldsmobiles, as well as a 1949 Cushman motor scooter.
O'Connor said he's thankful to his four employees for the success of his business and for their approach to handling what needs to be done. "I credit them for their help. Everyone pitches in and there are no set jobs," he said.