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A milestone, a lot of memories for the Ellison family and staff of Ellison Sanitary Supply
Front row, left to right- Bill Bollinger, Randy Nelson, Jimmy Nelson, Travis Rogers, Jeff Barbe, Gary Branam, Curtis Graham, Chris Freeman, Elijah Phillips, Lauren St. John and Gunner St. John.
Second row, left to right- Stephanie Green, Kirsten Phillips, Johnny Cox, Thomas Hofstatter, Stacia Leonard, Jonathan Cox, Sharon Goodin, Candie Ellison Roberts, Nora Day and George Ellison.
Not pictured: Travis Taylor, Brad Kuester, Mark Jones, Brian Metcalf and Mike Durbin.
LAFOLLETTE, TN (WLAF)- The business Everette Ellison began in the basement of his La Follette home in 1954 marks a milestone, its 70th year of Ellison Sanitary Supply Company. Ellison and his wife June grew the basement business from a handful of customers to hundreds. “We now have 1,950 customers,” said Ellison’s son, George.
The family owned business is now in its fourth generation of operation. George went fulltime in 1970 with his daughter Candie Ellison Roberts and late son Brent Ellison coming onboard in the 1990s. Candie’s daughters and their husbands signed on just a few years ago.
“Dad sold door-to-door as a Fuller Brush salesman and also as an Electrolux vacuum cleaner salesman. Along the way, he saw a need for tire cleaners and even created formulas for floor cleaners,” said George Ellison. Then came selling wax strippers, paper towels, tissues and liners. Everette Ellison would buy the old gallon glass jugs and reuse them..
From the basement of Ellison’s home, the company relocated to Aspen Street into its first building. The next move was to a building that still stands on East Beech Street near Big Creek. In the 1980s, Ellison Sanitary Supply moved into its current location on Nevada Avenue, the building that once housed the Cumberland Wholesale Grocery Company.
In addition to what Everette Ellison created, the company grew to including private branded products in its inventory. “We’ve been doing business with several companies over the years. However, there’s one we’ve worked with out of Maumee, Ohio, for 60 years, Spartan Chemical Company.
George calls Ellison Supply very blessed. “We’ve grown, really grown, over the last five years. Our younger sales force is highly motivated. As a result, we’ve landed some really big customers,” said George. He credits his daughter and late son.
The rules have changed, and Ellison’s now has a website and a Facebook page and takes orders online and over the phone, 423.562.3312, as well as walk-ins. “We still answer the phone and go see our customers. We’re always trying to help them (our customers). The customer’s always right,” said George.
The hardest thing for George is losing his son in 2021. “Brent was a very big part of our growth and success,” said George.
“Ellison Sanitary Supply has had some of the same customers for 50 years. We’ve been blessed and have had and have customer loyalty. We serve school systems from 18 counties plus four or five colleges and universities,” said George.
“I’ve been blessed to work with my dad and children. It’s such a family atmosphere,” said Candie. Daughters Lauren and Kirsten and their husbands represent the fourth generation of Ellison Sanitary Supply. Lauren is married to Gunner St. John while Kirsten’s husband is Elijah Phillips.
Candie was around the business as a youngster when her Mamaw June was the bookkeeper. She describes her mamaw as being so much better.
“The vision is to hope it continues,” said George.
NOTE FROM THE GRAND ON CENTRAL: “There is so much good going on in our community, and I want to share all this good with you every Monday here on WLAF in hopes that you will start your week in a grand way making each week a Grand Week,†said Olivia Lobertini, owner of The Grand on Central.
Below, take a visit through The Grand on Central.
For bookings, email Olivia Lobertini ohlobertini03@gmail.com. Check on avails HERE. (WLAF NEWS PUBLISHED – 12/16/2024-6AM-PHOTOS COURTESY OF WLAF’S CHARLIE HUTSON)