NORTHBROOK, Ill. — When Alyce Kingsley started her first job at Zengeler Cleaners on June 8, 1978, little did she know she had just begun her journey in a career that would span more than 47 years. Now, Kingsley is ready to hang up her last garment as she prepares for retirement after nearly a half-century with the Chicagoland employer. 

For the past 25 years, Kingsley has been store manager at the Hubbard Woods location in Winnetka, Ill., the company says, where she’s a friendly, familiar face for the company’s extensive customer base. 

“Alyce is a perfect example of how personalized service makes a defining difference in the success of a business,” says Tom Zengeler, president of Zengeler Cleaners. “She knows nearly every customer by name, including the names of the children and even their pets.

“Just as importantly, she knows their preferences for how we should handle their garments, making every interaction an experience rather than a transaction. Alyce is beloved by our customers. No doubt, Alyce will truly be missed.”

Kingsley started at Zengeler Cleaners while still in high school at the suggestion of her father, Fred Kingsley, who already worked for the company. The family connection continued for a few years, as she was joined in the business for a time by two of her four sisters. 

Her career has included a variety of positions, such as working in the home office in Northbrook and a brief period with the company’s uniform rental business, prior to her promotion as store manager in 2000.

Friday, March 27, is scheduled to be Kingsley’s last day at the dry cleaner.

“I’ve made many friends during my years with the company, especially during my time at Hubbard Woods,” Kingsley says. “Those friends include our customers, my co-workers and the community as a whole. People joke that I probably know more about their families than some of their own relatives, but that’s only possible because our customers trust me to take care of them. It’s been a very enjoyable journey. After all, it’s the only job I’ve ever had.”

When asked what’s next for her, Kingsley says, “I’ll hang out with my friends, and I’ll visit my three sisters who live in Colorado. Other than that, I plan to relax and enjoy retirement.”