National Vacuum’s iconic Cadillacs are gone — and TV20 knows why

GAINESVILLE, Fla. (WCJB) -A longtime Gainesville landmark has changed overnight, and residents are noticing. National Vacuum — the local store known not only for cleaning equipment but also for the vintage Cadillacs parked outside — has removed the classic cars, sparking questions and speculation online about why the business made the decision.

The store, which opened in 1977, has been a fixture in the community for decades. But for many, the most recognizable part of National Vacuum wasn’t the storefront — it was the 1950s-era Cadillac that sat out front.

How the Cadillacs became part of the business

The story traces back to the store’s late owner, Bob Derochemont, who drove a 1959 Cadillac when he first started selling vacuums. According to the business, Derochemont used the car to sell vacuums out of the back — his way of making a living in the early days.

Because the car was too large to fit in his garage at home, he began leaving it outside the store. Over time, that Cadillac — and later a second classic car — became closely associated with National Vacuum, to the point that many residents used it as a community reference point.

“That was the landmark”

National Vacuum manager Rick Bernal, who has worked at the store for 43 years, said he was surprised by how emotional the public reaction has been.

“The thread that came through to me was those things have been there my whole life — they’re a part of the town,” Bernal said. “One person even said, ‘I don’t know where to tell people anymore,’ because that was the landmark with the Cadillac… it’s like they’re the whole community — not the vacuum guys’ cars.”

Why the cars were removed — and what’s next

Bernal said Derochemont had already considered replacing the vehicles before he passed away, as the cars had become worn over time. Now, the store’s team says they’re continuing that plan and are searching for another 1959 Cadillac to honor Derochemont’s memory.

For now, the space where the two Cadillacs once sat is empty — but National Vacuum says a replacement should be coming soon.

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