Business Spotlight: Shamron Mills

SHAMRON MILLS :: 484 RIVER STREET :: 518-874-4085

Ronnye Shamam, owner of Shamron Mills has been living and working in Downtown Troy for a little over a year and half. But her relationship with the area has been for much longer. Shamron Mills is a textile manufacturing company Ronnye began in 1983. They specialize in fulfilling custom orders used in healthcare, energy, research, military, government and industry. Their longstanding industry relationships allows them to provide the quality and service their customers expect and deserve. Over their 35 years in business, they have adapted with changing needs, providing custom solutions that require one-on-one attention.

Ronnye is originally from the area, got her degree from Russell Sage College and spent most of her life Downstate. She was a French and Spanish teacher in Columbia County, then Rochester, before settling in New York City.  After taking a hiatus from teaching while raising her son, she decided on a new career path, coordinating the manufacturing operations for the Jewish Guild for the Blind Sheltered Workshop in 1976. They supplied textiles for the US Defense Department, New York City and NYS among other organizations.

>>>Ronnye is not one to shy away from a challenge, especially being a female in a predominately male profession. She lived in the West Village, enjoyed every opportunity presented to her, asked questions and remembered details. In 1980, she met her second husband who encouraged her to start her own company. With her knowledge in the textile industry, in manufacturing and skills as a leader, Ronnye dove in. She attended trade shows, traveling to Atlanta and throughout the US. She knew the challenges that she had as one of a handful of females in the industry. After an early trip to a show with her husband, she realized that she needed to leave him at home- vendors thought she was his assistant. Ronnye was not one to hide in the crowd. Vendors and clients came to know her by her large glasses and vibrant jewelry. Combined with her drive and clear goals, she quickly built trust and a loyal client base.

Shamron Mills supplies to manufacturers and distributors that specialize in Industrial Laundry, Hyperbaric facilities, VA hospitals and Medical centers, including pediatric and breast cancer centers. Items include scrubs, gowns, bathrobes, pajamas up to 10XL and garments for high risk psychiatric facilities, sterile wrappers and drapes for the operating room and custom x-ray and surgical gowns. Their manufacturing plants are based in North Carolina, Pennsylvania, a rehab workshop for the disabled and internationally in China and Pakistan. They started importing in the 1980’s, in addition to digitizing all operations.

Ronnye’s relationship with the Capital District began when she started serving on the Board of the Russell Sage College Alumnae Association and then as a Trustee of the Sage Colleges. She traveled often for meetings and could see the potential in the area. With a few chance meetings of area community members and city officials, whom quickly became fast friends, she learned of the available property at 484 River Street. She purchased it, adding to her investment of other properties in Lansingburgh. During her first visit with the realtor, she knew the office space would be perfect fit for Shamron. Surprisingly, the building at 484 River Street was formerly the Amalgamated Clothing Worker’s Union Hall in the 1950’s, later a facility for Riverside Industries, part of The Rensselaer County ARC in the 1970’s, bringing Ronnye’s passion and experience full circle.

The same intuition presented itself when Ronnye began looking for a property to live in Downtown. A friend introduced her to a homeowner that was considering selling her brownstone on 5th Avenue. After a cup of tea and a visit that turned into a full afternoon, a deal was struck. Ronnye has seamlessly relocated both her business and her residence to Downtown Troy and she couldn’t be happier. She has enjoyed both a walkable city filled with food, culture, a welcoming community, and the beauty of the Hudson River and nature just steps away. She is also proud to serve on the board of TRIP. However, her next job when she retires, would be running an egg cream stand at Monument Square- with her secret recipe.

Ronnye says without a blink, “One can opt to fail, but you must give it a shot.”

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