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Keeping Ames in Stitches
Tribune photo published June 25, 1956

Clemens Sewing Machine Sales and Service operated at 410 5th Street.  The back of Collegian Theater looms over the small shop.  Across from Central Junior high school stands your headquarters for the very finest in sewing machine sales and service.  Clemens' is celebrating its 22nd year in the Ames community this month.
Clemens Sewing Machine Sales and Service, 410 Fifth street, offers the newest and finest in sewing machines, backed by 100-year-old manufacturers with their own lifetime guarantees.  The store is celebrating its 22 years in the Ames community this month.  Having been independently and locally owned for that many years, Clemens' is impartial to any one make of machine and offers one of the finest service departments in central Iowa for ALL TYPES OF SEWING MACHINES.

Clemens' can also order any make of new machine regardless of name brand, and offers free sewing lessons, parts and service for every machine sold.  Having served this community with sewing machines for over 20 years, Clemens' have accumulated over 100 used machines from which even the most obsolete parts can be obtained.  As for new machines, the new modern store across from Central Junior High School carries such famous brands as Necchi, Elna, Viking, Sewmore, Pfaff, and White, whose manufacturers are over 100 years old, and were among the first to introduce automatic sewing machines.  The store also offers a complete rental service on various makes of machines.

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From the service department at Clemens Sewing Machine Harold Clemens talks over the repair of a machine with son Howard Clemens.  Clemens' services every machine they sell, and offers complete parts and repair service for ANY make of machine.
Harold Clemens and son Howard, owners of the stores, outline their policy as "Service First," and low pressure selling.  They believe that the machines speak for themselves without high pressure sales talk.  Residents can get an eye-opener anytime on the versatility of modern automatic and semi-automatic sewing.  Clemens' is always glad to give demonstrations to individuals or groups, and answer questions about any make of sewing machine.

After 22 years of service it's no wonder that when many persons think of sewing machines they think of Clemens, and when they think of Clemens, they think of quality sewing machines.

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It's child's play to run the new automatic machines at Clemens Sewing Machine Sales and Service, 410 Fifth.  Here Sherry Clemens, 4, daughter of Howard Clemens, runs a "Necchi" while her cousin Sandra Manges, 2, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Robert Manges looks on.

There is no building today at 410 5th Street.

photos previously featured
in The Tribune's series entitled From the Archives

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