About Old Smokey’s
The late Steven Berryhill and Kevin DeLucenay founded Old Smokey’s in October of 1981. In the summer of 1981, they both had factory jobs, and wanted extra income from weekend work. They were both avid “Mother Earth News” readers, and an ad put in every issue claimed, “Make a Thousand Dollars a Week Cleaning Chimneys”. So they made plans to purchase a new “August West” chimney cleaning system that fall. Plans were made to travel to the east coast, pick up the system, and get some training.
A week before departure, however, they found a used system locally. They purchased the system, bought ladders and tools, and converted Steve’s old 1949 Chevrolet pickup into a sweep truck. A homemade truck cap, complete with a peaked roof, cedar shake shingles and siding, and a large rear door made this truck “one of a kind,” turning heads wherever it went! A nice silver paint job, hand-lettered signage, and a really nice mural of a chimney sweep on the back door finished off the unique look of this truck.
How We’ve Grown
It was very humble beginnings for the impressive company you see today. The company has had steady growth throughout the last 20 years. We have seen many employees come and go in the last 20 years, and each of those former employees has fond memories and many humorous stories to tell about their time at Old Smokey’s. Old Smokey’s has always had a family atmosphere, and if you were to ask any employee at Old Smokey’s today, he or she would tell you that the family atmosphere is still as strong today as it was 20 years ago.
A Change Of Hands, Same Great Service
The family dynamic shifted when founder Kevin DeLucenay became ill and unable to run the company. He decided to approach long-time friend Cliff Slagle (who runs a successful sweeping company in southern Michigan), asking if he would be interested in purchasing the company. Cliff decided to take over the company and added the name Old Smokey’s Fireplace and Chimney. He then moved the showroom and offices to the downtown area of Ashley, Indiana.
Today, Old Smokey’s Fireplace and Chimney serves a large area of Indiana, Ohio and southern Michigan, and continues to give the same professional services to its customers that it always has.
Give Us A Call!
For more information or to schedule an appointment with us, please give us a call at 260-587-9691 or click here!
When you’re thinking about scheduling an appointment for your chimney or dryer vent service, call on Old Smokey’s Fireplace & Chimney for the most professional, dependable service.
