ANDERSON, Ind. — Like every business, T & H Sweeper Company has seen the economy go up and down.

But even in the leanest of times, the vacuum and floor cleaning supplies store — which does service on vacuums as well — has made it work for more than 45 years.

Tom and Kathy Hickey own T & H Sweeper Company, which has been in their family since 1965. Tom Hickey has always said that in a bad economy repairs will get them through.

The couple’s daughter, Tamra Hickey-Bennett, manages one of the company’s four stores and said what has given them the cutting edge over big chain stores is their quality products, customer service and repairs.

“We’ve found our niche,” she said. “When the economy gets bad people try to cut back and not buy. So as a way to save money they will get things serviced. We’ll always have a job as people will always need vacuums.”

Hickey-Bennett said while the retail stores sell “cheaper, throw away vacuums,” T & H sells higher quality equipment and commercial grade, in addition to the lower-priced items. And the store matches prices from the bigger chains, another thing the company has done to survive and stay competitive.

Steve Allred has been with T  & H since 1975 and is the manager of the 53rd Street location. He said the company has evolved over the years to meet ever-changing needs of customers. The employees’ speciality knowledge when it comes to floor-care is a key to its success.

“Our service draws people to us,” he said. “Being versatile and knowledgeable has helped us out a lot. We make sure that everyone working here knows vacuums.”

Janet Travis just celebrated 20 years in business with her speciality shop — Jan’s Cakes and Candy Crafts on Broadway in Anderson. She makes all types of speciality cakes, candies and cookies and sells supplies to help others make those items on their own.

“In order to survive I’ve had to add things to meet my customers’ needs,” she said.

Popular shows about extreme cakes has piqued the interest of many to make their own cakes, so Travis not only sells the speciality supplies that aren’t available at most retail chains but she also offers lessons.

“I may be loosing money in cakes but lessons and supplies typically offset that,” she said. “In this kind of economy, people can’t always afford to buy a cake, so a lot of people want to know how to do it on their own but don’t know how to do it correctly. So I’m meeting that need.”

Customer service is another key. At large chain stores, Travis said customers often can’t find someone to help them, and if they do that person doesn’t know specifics about cake or candy-making. Here, people can come in just to find out information. I just feel like it is important to help. I love my work so much.”

Bicycle Depot has been open since 1975, with Greg Wooten owning the store since 2006.

Like other speciality businesses, Bicycle Depot has evolved over the years to stay alive in trying economic times.

For example, sales over the last few years have gone down significantly, but service at the shop has gone up.

“Basically we’ve evolved to a repair shop,” he said. “Two years ago when gas prices got into the $4 range, we had a lot of repairs, but not much in new sales as people didn’t have the money. But they were fixing up the bikes they found in their garages and barns. I expect to see that happen again.”

When the economy gets tough, Wooten said, customers turn to cheaper forms of transportation like bicycles. And not only are they a cheaper form of getting around, but it also is a great, cheap form of entertainment.

Wooten has had to take other measures to stay in business in leaner times. The last time he took a paycheck was back in October, and he tries to make as small of a footprint as possible by turning off lights when not in use and limiting other utility usage.

“Even when times are tough, it’s a fun industry, a fun business,” he said. “It is an honest business, too. Small speciality businesses like this one won’t stay in business long if they don’t treat people fairly.”

Contact Abbey Doyle: 640-4805, abbey.doyle@heraldbulletin.com.