Eighty years ago, at the start of the Depression, Lewis Downs had a dream and a desire to succeed in spite of all the doom and gloom that surrounded him. He started a small pressing shop called Conyers Dry Cleaners that he later changed to Downs's Cleaners. For the next 34 years he and his wife Mae ran the little shop and built his business by determination and hard work. In 1962 he died and the business was sold to Jim Shipp. Shipp changed the name to Puritan Cleaners and for the next 38 years Jim and his family built the little dry cleaning business into a major business in the community. In 2000 he sold the business to his son David. Currently there are four stores under the Puritan Cleaner's name.

David has continued the tradition of his father and has been committed to the growth of Conyers and Rockdale County.

Puritan Cleaners is the second oldest business still in operation in Rockdale County, a sure testament to hard work, honesty, community involvement. We salute David Shipp and his family. Today there will be celebrations at all the stores. Come out say hi, enjoy free fun and food and know that you are participating in the history of Rockdale County.