Springfield cleaning business expands with acquisition

A Springfield-based cleaning business has expanded through the acquisition of another local company.

Penny's Cleaning LLC owner Penny Harris said she closed March 31 on the acquisition of Verv Cleaning for $92,000 from Morgan Graffis.

Harris said she was approached by Blaire Chrouser, partner at the Kingsley Group business brokerage company, about the opportunity. Graffis is no longer involved with the business, Harris noted.

"I felt like it would be an exciting way to grow my business," Harris said. "I thought it would be a fun opportunity to get to know the inner workings of another cleaning business and possibly take the best of both businesses and combine them."

With the combination of Penny's Cleaning and Verv Cleaning, Harris now employs 10 employees and four subcontractors. Three of those employees and the subcontractors come from Verv Cleaning, said Harris.

Harris said she's exploring whether to keep the Verv Cleaning name in operation or merge it into Penny's Cleaning. Verv Cleaning performed commercial cleaning services as well as residential services.

"My preferred niche is residential, but I am exploring the possibility of continuing the commercial jobs," Harris said. “I’m also hoping that with the larger company size overall that we'll be able to be more efficient and therefore help to keep our prices from increasing.”

Penny’s Cleaning has around 75 recurring clients, she said, noting the purchase of Verv Cleaning brings 50-60 new clients on board.

Harris has operated Penny's Cleaning for 16 years this summer. The company has an office at 3444 S. Campbell Ave. in the Shamrock Center.