It wasn't just any suit that an East Lansing dry cleaning company pressed years ago.
Then-presidential candidate Bill Clinton handed off his dark-colored, two-piece suit to be cleaned at Twichell's Dry Cleaners and Tailors before he wore it in a 1992 presidential debate on MSU's campus.
Mesung and Sangwon Lee, the third owners of the dry cleaner, watched the debate on television and admired their work.
"I thought he looked good," Sangwon said.
The former president is an example of and glimpse into the success of the dry cleaning business' history as it celebrates its 80th anniversary this year.
Since 1926, the dry cleaning business has stood on M.A.C. Avenue, even as surrounding businesses come and go.
Mesung could only count a handful of other businesses on the street that were there when they purchased the business in 1986.
"We're a small store owned by the family," Sangwon said. "Now we've been here almost 20 years."
One reason for the dry cleaner's longevity, a city official said, is its location in the area.
"The downtown is convenient for people going to work in the morning," said Jim van Ravensway, East Lansing's planning and community development director. "They're right in the heart of the city."
Its downtown storefront has brought in more than 3,000 customers this year, a 10 percent increase from last year, Sangwon said.
However, Twichell's isn't always great. Rising costs strain the small business, which has seven employees.
"Everything's going up," Mesung said, referring to higher rent and taxes. "We have good business, but the profit is less."
The owners said their customers are mostly permanent residents, but students still stop in the dry cleaner — especially during football season.
MSU Marching Band members drop off their uniforms to be dry cleaned before football games. The owners said they received more than 100 uniforms before Saturday's game against the University of Pittsburgh.
During home football games, when the owners see the band perform, they don't immediately notice the music or the band's moves. The first thing they check are the clothes.
"Sometimes we watch the sleeves," Mesung said.
