BINGHAMTON, N.Y. -- It started out as a small dry cleaning service in the late 1800s. Two Armenians escaping genocide and seeking opportunity came to the Greater Binghamton Area. And now, several generations later, it's one of the oldest commercial laundries still in existence.

"We're proud of it. But you know, pride only lasts so far you have to keep your head above water and constantly assess the landscape," said Brian Kradjian, Bates Troy President

Brian Kradjian, the great grandson of one of those men, is now president of the business. "We did house to house routes, shirt laundry before the invention of the home washer," said Brian Kradjian, Bates Troy President

Since the business first opened, he says a lot has changed.

"Casual wear in the workplace...people don't dress up as much starting with IBM casual Fridays to the tech generation with hoodies," said Brian Kradjian, Bates Troy President

And so the business changed too. The company now specializes in dry cleaning, tailoring, fire and water restoration, and healthcare linen. 

"Chances are if you're in a local hospital or nursing home you're using or you're on Bates Troy linen," said Brian Kradjian, Bates Troy President

To keep up with the times, the company expanded.

In 2008 Bates Troy got this continuous batch washer that's right behind me here in their plant. It can wash up to 6000 pounds an hour compared to a typical washer that might be in your house and can only wash up to 20 pounds.

"Years ago it used to be a very labor intensive operation where most of the washers had to be loaded and unloaded manually where today everything is pretty much automated." said Tom Singe, Bates Troy General Manager

Kradjian says although they considered moving the business to Pennsylvania, Binghamton is where the heart is.

Bates Troy has become part of the community.

"When people are in need they reach to us and we're there for them. It's good to know that we are able to help," said Tom Singe, Bates Troy General Manager

And that's why the company is standing as one of the oldest family-owned businesses in the Binghamton area.

"Companies that are more of a national based competitor they don't have the advantages that family run businesses have. We are involved in every facet of our business everyday and the decision makers are on site where we can reply and respond to customer needs," said Tom Singe, Bates Troy General Manager

They say it's the family culture that has led to their success and will continue to keep the business going.

"For over 100 years Bates Troy has been providing the kind of quality cleanliness and service that has become like a unrivaled standard in our industry," said Tom Singe, Bates Troy General Manager

They plan to maintain that standard right here in this community for generations to come.