Asheboro Dry Cleaners to become Pro-PT physical therapy's new home

ASHEBORO — You could say it was a deal between friends. Not to mention mutual customers.

When Mary Beth Jenkins bought the former Asheboro Dry Cleaners at 706 S. Fayetteville St., she and Carlton Cheek had a big embrace. One of the realtors involved in the Dec. 19 closing said he had never seen a buyer and seller hugging at the consummation of a sale.

Mark Vuncannon represented Jenkins while HR Gallimore helped Cheek find a buyer. As Jenkins said, “It was hometown people coming together to make it happen.”

And, as Cheek said, “She was one of my customers and I was her customer.”

Indeed, Jenkins regularly brought her clothes to Asheboro Dry Cleaners. And when Cheek, now 91, needed help for his ailing joints, he chose to seek aid from Jenkins. “She fixed both my knees.”

The Asheboro Dry Cleaners building came on the market earlier this year when Cheek, his daughter Sherry Trudgeon and her husband Rick decided to retire. 

Cheek and his brother Ed had taken over the One Hour Martinizing dry cleaning business next door in 1962. Two years later Ed left to purchase another dry cleaner.

When land from the former Dixie Furniture Co. came available in 1990, Cheek bought a portion to erect his own building at 706 S. Fayetteville St., eliminating the need to pay rent. By that time Sherry and Rick had become involved in the business.

After 63 years in dry cleaning — 45 for Sherry and Rick — the decision was made to close down and retire.

At that time Cheek explained why: “I haven’t forgotten my roots and I love my family and I love my customers. So the decision to retire and close Asheboro Dry Cleaners was not taken lightly.

“It was a well-thought-out decision to sell,” he said. “It was time to retire and Sherry and Rick were burnt out.”

Meanwhile, Jenkins had been working as a physical therapist for Randolph Health. Then she struck out on her own, founding Pro-PT in 2014. After moving a couple of times to increase her work space, Jenkins was looking for something larger.

“It was frustrating not having the space to simulate (patients’) goals,” she said on Dec. 23 when she met at her new building with Cheek and Trudgeon. “I searched for months. Now I have more than double the space.

“I was waiting for the right spot. When I walked in here, it felt right,” Jenkins said of the approximately 7,200 square feet. “I’ll have a golf simulator for golfers in rehab and athletic space for training.

“Now I can tell my customers the directions (to Pro-PT) one time — it’s the old Asheboro Dry Cleaners across from David’s Restaurant.”

The building is now completely empty of dry-cleaning equipment. Trudgeon said most of it was sent out as salvage since it was so old. Some of it was taken by another dry cleaner.

Jenkins has the renovations planned out in her head with contractors ready to make it happen. She will replace the fluorescent lights, install HVAC and paint the ceiling. There will be two administrative offices and three treatment rooms. Her staff includes six clinicians and two in administration.

There’s one feature of Asheboro Dry Cleaners that will remain, although perhaps in a different form, Jenkins said.

“I hope to keep the message sign. I’m not sure how. I like it the way it is. But it may be digital.”

And one other thing: Jenkins intends to have Cheek’s name on display for all to see. 

She’s hoping to have the building open for clients by April 1. 

As for Cheek, he said, “I’m happy. I nursed that area all these years.”

Trudgeon simply said, “I’m just tickled pink.”

Outside the building on the south side of the property is a wooden wall with a bench attached where employees once took breaks. Beyond that is an old-fashioned clothes line. 

“I’m going to keep them,” Jenkins said.

Cheek said he came by one day when the building was on the market. “I sat on the bench out back and reminisced.”

There are hundreds of stories within those walls and even more to be made in the future. And, Cheek said, he’ll be coming back on occasion. 

“You can come by anytime you want,” Jenkins assured him.