Longtime Chattanooga Business Calling It Quits

  • Monday, July 14, 2025

A longtime Chattanooga business is closing its doors.

The last day at Gordon's Cleaners on McCallie Avenue will be July 31, 28-year employee Mena Scott said.

She said the owner of the property at 1631 McCallie across from Wally's Restaurant decided to sell the location.

Still active is Jim Ledbetter, the son of Gordon Ledbetter, who founded the business 73 years ago.

At one time there were Gordon's Cleaners outlets on S. Broad Street at St. Elmo and in North Chattanooga, but they closed earlier.

Still on display at the McCallie Avenue site are Gordon Ledbetter's amazing collection of antique irons and washboards.

The shoe shining machine by the front counter still works, employee Debrah Stewart notes.

Ms. Scott said business is still steady, but people don't dress up like they once did.

She said, "They don't go into businesses like they once did. They stay at home and work on their phones or their computers."

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