Yes, ladies and gentlemen, the little vacuum shop at 7200 Wornall is still a little vacuum shop. The Waldo Vacuum Co. has turned into Midwest Vacuums. The shop has a renovated interior, a new sign, and is owned by one of the nation’s top vacuum enthusiasts, Sarah DeGondea. The DeGondeas had approached the shop’s previous owner about carrying central vacuum systems, but found that he wanted to retire and sell his shop instead. While waiting at the stop light to leave the shop, they counted 47 cars pass before the light turned green. This made an impression, and five days later, they bought the store.
A lot of sweat equity and about $2,000 in materials were required to renovate the store. New flooring was installed and green paint brightens the room and reflects the owner’s “green” mentality. Sarah is a big believer in recycling old vacuum parts, improving indoor air quality, and reducing vacuum parts, improving indoor air quality, and reducing America’s throw-away culture one vacuum at a time. “We draw a lot of people from the 6th broken vacuum crowd and from newlyweds with parents who had a really good vacuum. People are realizing that after their 10th cheap, big-box vacuum, they basically have $1,000 invested in a piece of junk. Our products generally have a life span of 20 years.”
For Sarah, almost everything connects back to a vacuum; even good deeds. May is Allergin Awareness month, and during this month alone Midwest Vacuums will be accepting trade-ins
of bagged vacuum cleaners in exchange for discounts of up to $100 off a new Meile Vacuum.
The used vacuums will then be refurbished and donated to child care centers, women ’s shelters, and other non-profits in the area. Thanks Midwest Vacuums for making Waldo a
cleaner place, one vacuum at a time.