What started in 1943 as a door-to-door sewing machine repair business, is now being run by the third and fourth generation. And, while their last name may not be Murphy, their commitment to personal service has not wavered in over 75 years.
After offering service door-to-door and setting up a sign in his yard advertising M.R. Murphy & Sons Sewing Machines, Richard “M.R.” Murphy officially established Murphy Sewing Machine Company in 1945.
Murphy rented out space in the back of a furniture store for six years before relocating to a building at Seventh and Triplett Streets in 1951. Murphy’s youngest son Mort was the only one that took an interest in the business and began helping his dad from a young age.
In the early 1960s, the block would house the building, a grocery store, a store with a soda fountain and a shotgun house. Murphy Sewing Machine Company would stay at this location until the business moved to Fourth and Triplett Streets approximately 14 years ago.
In 1981, John Docimo relocated to Owensboro from Chicago and moved into an apartment behind the old store. Mort convinced M.R. into letting John come in and fix machines.
“I had a gift for it and his dad really liked me and taught me a bunch,” Docimo said. “So I’ve been here for a long time.”
Three years after moving into the apartment, Docimo would marry Stephanie Murphy, one of Mort’s three daughters, officially making him part of the family. While Docimo and Stephanie are no longer married, Docimo and his current wife Earlene and her daughter Britney are now the third and fourth generations to run the Murphy Sewing Machine Company after officially acquiring the business in 2015.
“We are a family business, so we are an independent store which means we can sell any brands that we think are really good quality,” Docimo said. “Our specialty is we look for really good quality stuff — mostly sewing machines and vacuum cleaners. We also install central vacuums in homes.”
Docimo said when searching for brands, he and Earlene wanted to focus on vacuums that were made in America.
“A lot of the original American vacuum cleaner companies have been outsourced or have sold their names to foreign corporations,” Docimo said. “We wanted to sell something that was made in the USA in our store.”
The couple began selling Simplicity and Riccar vacuums which are both made in the same factory in Missouri.
“We think right now they’re the coolest vacuums on the market,” Docimo said.
Docimo said not all vacuum cleaners are worth repairing, and that some are meant to be disposable, even if they’re expensive. The store recommends cleaners that are not only a good buy, but with parts that can easily be ordered and replaced. As far as sewing machines, Docimo said the store still has handwritten records dating back to the 1950s.
In an age of online ordering and delivery, it may seem surprising that a freestanding vacuum and sewing shop is still conducting a successful business. Docimo said he credits the shop’s success on their commitment to family values and providing a live person to speak with.
“Our big thing here is service,” Docimo said. “We work on all kinds of vacuum cleaners and all kinds of sewing machines, regardless of where people bought them. With sewing machines especially, and vacuums, having someone to talk to and speak with when something goes wrong, you need free instruction, a walk-through or to troubleshoot over the phone, makes a big difference.”
