Griggs Vacuums

Owner Dwight Griggs

Where the Customer Comes First

By Sue Teehan

In 1860, a man named Daniel Hess, from West Union, Iowa,invented a manual carpet cleaner that was pumped by the user.Six years later, a smaller version was designed by Melvin Bissell ofGrand Rapids, Michigan. The first powered vacuum cleaner appearedin 1901, but it was huge and bulky. Smaller versions were very expensive. A powered vacuum cleaner was essentially a luxury item until after World War II, when many versions of vacuum cleaners appeared on the scene— along with wall-to-wall carpeting.

If you’d like to know more about vacuums, both past and present, Dwight Griggs is the man to ask. Dwight and his late father, Paul, opened Griggs Vacuums in Colorado Springs in 1983. Their interest in vacuum cleaners began in Buena Vista, where Dwight grew up and where they both worked in the Climax Mine. Paul started fixing and selling vacuum cleaners in the 1960s, and Dwight and his brother, Danny, helped out when Paul corralled them.

Word soon spread about their repair abilities. “We’d come home from a trip to the Springs or Pueblo, and there would be three or four vacuums sitting on the front porch, needing repairs.” Paul eventually retired from the mine but kept repairing vacuums. When Dwight left the mine, he and his father opened the shop in Colorado Springs while maintaining the shop in Buena Vista.

Much like a car, an air conditioner, or any other machine, vacuum cleaners benefit from periodic maintenance. Your vacuum cleaner can get the regular maintenance it needs at Griggs Vacuums. “Belts on vacuums should be changed 2 to 3 times a year,” Dwight suggests. “It’s a good idea to give your vacuum a ‘spa day’ here, where we can clean it, fix broken parts, change the belt, and polish it to a shiny finish. That way, it won’t break down at the wrong time.”

Griggs Vacuums also sells a wide variety of vacuums. The three main brands of vacuums that Dwight sells are Riccar (made in the USA), Miele (made in Germany), and Sanitaire by Electrolux (made in Mexico). There are several styles for each brand. “I sell every vacuum that’s worth buying,” Dwight continues. “They are priced from $149 to $1,500, and I help people select the unit that’s right for them.”

There are many factors involved in choosing a vacuum. According to Dwight, a good vacuum cleaner needs a strong motor, aggressive brush rollers, and bags to catch the dirt. Dwight feels strongly that the bag type is the best vacuum for a clean home versus

bagless. “Did you know that a 9x12-foot section of carpet that looks clean can still hold 84 pounds of dirt and grime? Investing in a good vacuum is what is best to have a clean home.”

When a customer comes into his shop, Dwight feels a responsibility to do his very best to help that person. It’s his way of paying back the community for supporting him and Griggs Vacuums all these years. Karen Edgerle has been one of Dwight’s customers since 1992. “I moved to the West Side in that year and had a TriStar that needed repairs,” she says. “Mr. Griggs was awesome and honest and very dependable. I asked him about several bagless models, and he took the time to explain the difference between bagless and vacuums that use bags. He almost feels like family now. I’ll never go to anybody other than Mr. Griggs.”

In addition to vacuum cleaners, Griggs Vacuums also offers sewing machine repair. Leroy Stockman has over 60 years of experience working with all types of sewing machines. He joined the Singer Sewing Machine Company in 1952, and he held a variety of jobs with Singer over 38 years. In that time, he owned several dealerships throughout Colorado, including in Canon City, Alamosa, Woodland Park, and Colorado Springs. He joined Griggs Vacuums three years ago to repair sewing machines. At 86 years of age, he is still going strong. You’ll find several used sewing machines for sale at Griggs Vacuums.

To subscribe to Dwight’s monthly newsletter or learn more about the vacuums and accessories at Griggs Vacuums, visit griggsvacuums.com. Each month, Dwight holds a drawing to award a Sanitaire canister model cleaner to a lucky customer (sign up online or in store).

The Colorado Springs store, at 1706 West Colorado Avenue, is open from 9:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. on weekdays and 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Saturdays. Their phone number is 719-475-9216. The Buena Vista shop, located at 16 Oak Street, is open weekdays from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Additional details on both locations are available at griggsvacuums.com.