HandCraft Cleaners Owners Named Va. Small Business Persons of Year

Article | June 20, 2011 | By Bruce Beggs

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John J. "Jay" Nichols (left), Jeffrey Nichols and Keith Nichols pose in their HandCraft Linen Services facility in Richmond, Va., in 2009. (Credit: © chris owens/dpi creative services)

RICHMOND, Va. – The principals of local business HandCraft Cleaners were honored during a luncheon Friday as the 2011 Virginia Small Business Persons of the Year.

Receiving the honor were Keith Nichols, president; John Nichols, vice president; and Jeffrey Nichols, treasurer.

“The individuals we are honoring on June 17th represent the finest traits of American entrepreneurial spirit and we are proud to recognize their accomplishments,” said Ron Bew, district director of SBA’s Virginia District Office, earlier this year in congratulating the award winners.

Handcraft Cleaners is a family-owned and –operated full-service drycleaning business that has been serving the Richmond area for 40 years.

In addition to drycleaning, Handcraft operates a healthcare linen and medical uniform rental and cleaning service called HandCraft Linen Services.

About the Author

Bruce Beggs

Editorial Director, American Trade Magazines LLC

Bruce Beggs is editorial director of American Trade Magazines LLC, including American Coin-Op, American Drycleaner and American Laundry News. He was the editor of American Laundry News from November 1999 to May 2011. Beggs has worked as a newspaper reporter/editor and magazine editor since graduating from Kansas State University in 1986 with a bachelor’s degree in journalism and mass communications. He and his wife, Sandy, have two children.