05/29/2026
The most important piece of our legacy yet… the Mayor of Midtown, as he was known by so many. Where do we even begin telling the story of such an unforgettable man?
For generations, Sig Samuels has been more than just a dry cleaner in Midtown Atlanta — it has been a place built on family, community, hard work, and relationships. And for 35 years, no one represented that spirit more than Larry Collins.
Larry had a distinct and captivating personality that could light up a room the moment he walked in. But nowhere was that more evident than behind the counter at Sig Samuels. His warm smile, kind words, quick conversations, and welcoming presence made every customer feel like family. Whether you were a longtime regular, a first-time customer, a politician, or simply someone passing through Midtown, Larry knew your name, remembered your story, and made you feel important.
His father, Tom Collins Sr., took over Sig Samuels in the 1960s, and Larry later worked alongside his father and brothers, Tom and Mike, before the family took over operations in the early 1990s. Together, they helped turn Sig Samuels into a true Midtown institution.
Larry became the face and voice of the cleaners — a place where generations of Atlantans walked through the doors and were greeted with sincerity, laughter, and kindness. Congressman John Lewis and countless members of the Atlanta community were among the many familiar faces Larry welcomed over the years.
Many lovingly referred to him as “The Mayor of Midtown,” because everywhere Larry went, he knew somebody — and more importantly, everybody knew and loved Larry.
But beyond the cleaners, beyond the business, Larry’s greatest love was always his family.
He lived a life rooted in hard work, dignity, honor, and sincerity. The only thing stronger than Larry’s character was his word. He never hesitated to help someone in need and always went out of his way to make life better for others, often expecting nothing in return.
Larry passed away from ALS in March of 2011 at only 54 years young, leaving behind a legacy far greater than business alone. His impact lives on through the countless people whose lives he touched, the community he helped shape, and the family he loved so deeply.
This coming July, Larry would have turned 70 years old. Without a doubt, you would still find him standing proudly behind the counter at Sig Samuels alongside his family and friends — greeting customers like old friends and making everyone who walked through the door feel at home.
He would be endlessly proud of his two sons, especially Steve Collins, for continuing the family legacy and carrying forward the values he lived by every single day. And perhaps most of all, he would be deeply in love with his four grandchildren, cherishing every moment spent with them.
Larry Collins was more than a businessman. He was a husband, father, grandfather, friend, mentor, and the heart of Sig Samuels for decades.
While Midtown may know him as “The Mayor,” to so many of us, he was simply family.
And his legacy will forever live on within these walls.
I invite you all, please read this heartfelt article that truly captures who he was on the day to day.
And lastly, take a moment to watch this documentary on Larry Collins, a man of hard work, dedication and pure heart.
Article: https://saportareport.com/midtown-says-good-bye-to-its-mayor-%E2%80%94-larry-collins-of-sig-samuels-fame/sections/reports/maria_saporta/
Documentary of Larry Collins: https://vimeo.com/91366624
You may have to copy and paste the links but they are worth the read and the watch, trust me!
More to come in our history of Sig Samuels Dry Cleaning, thanks for following along!
