Hard Work Keeps Alterations Unlimited in Brighton for 26 Years

Upon entering one can’t help but notice the intensity of focus with which Cheryl Mayday tackles her job.

Painstakingly sewing a pair of jeans on her “day off,”  Mayday demonstrates the hard work it took to get to where she is today: a successful business owner in the growing city of Brighton.

Dressmaking, custom tailoring and clothing repair are what Alterations Unlimited, located at 411 Millpond Dr. in downtown Brighton, specialize in. The shop handles leather repairs as well.

Mayday said she is happy to come to work every day.

“I love my job—I never thought I’d be here for 26 years, but I love it,” she said. “I really enjoy my customers and I just love the challenges that come in and I like being creative.”

Gail Sherman, owner of in downtown Brighton has nothing but praise for Mayday.

“She has been altering jeans for Impulse for eight years, as well as prom and wedding dresses and even men's suits. Her prices are the most reasonable in town,” Sherman said.

After graduating from high school Mayday went to work for Jacobson’s in its alterations department, eventually leaving that job for one with , where she met a fellow seamstress who was interested in starting a business.

Alterations Unlimited began as a 200-square-foot shop on Grand River Ave., where Tim Horton’s now stands. Using a closet as a fitting room, she and her partner began to build clientele.

“We had no money in the bank, and we had to get enough alterations for the month to pay the rent ... but we did it,” Mayday said.

Before the year was up the company had already outgrown its space, and her partner wanted out, Mayday said.

She bought out her partner and moved to the building where the business still stands.

Mayday said she believes in Brighton, and is an active participant in the growth of the city. She is the chairwoman of the Brighton Fine Art & Acoustic Music Festival, and is also a part of the Principal Shopping District Board.

Mayday is enthusiastic about the future of the City of Brighton.

“I love having my business down here, I’ve got the best place to be – just moved in and Stephanie at nextdoor has already expanded her business,” she said.

Mayday believes that hard work, fairness and honesty have helped to contribute to her success.

“I have great clientele and I am very fair to my customers. I do good work – I think that says a lot about why I’ve been here for 26 years,” she said.