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Vacuum store owner to pursue spot on historic registry

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OGDEN -- Ogden has 101 buildings and places on its historic registry -- places like historic 25th street and the Union Station.

And now one woman wants to add a vacuum cleaning business -- the Vacuum Exchange.

It’s been around for 63 years and it’s somewhat of a landmark in downtown.

“It's been here forever,” said Janice Starkey of Ogden. “I've been coming here since I was a young wife and bought my first Kirby vacuum.”

It's fondly referred to as the place with the vacuum cleaners on the building, but more than that it's one of a few long-time businesses that have stayed open.

“I have watched a lot of Ogden disappear,” said Arlene Love a Vacuum Exchange customer. “At my age I can remember walking up and down the street with the stores that were there that are no longer there. And this is a building that needs to stay here.”

The new owner, Sheri Page, wants to put the old store on the local historic register in Ogden.

But it's not a decision that can be made in a vacuum -- the city's landmark commission will review the request, and if they agree they'll make the recommendation to the city council.

To make is on the list of local landmarks you must meet one of four criteria: it must have architectural significance, historical significance, be part of a historic district or stand as an icon to the community.

“It's definitely doable especially with support from the community,” Page said.