CHICAGO — A new year brings the promise of a fresh start, and after the past few years, a fresh start can hold a lot of promise. Before we look forward, though, let’s take one more look at the year that was. For our last post of 2022, we’re counting down our 10 most popular stories, based on page views, that we’ve run this year on the American Drycleaner website. We started this list on Tuesday, and today, we’ll count down to No. 1
5. Colorado Franchisees Team Up to Open Drycleaning Plant (March 9, 2022) — After working in corporate America for decades, two new franchisee partners have teamed up to open a Lapels Dry Cleaning store in Broomfield, Colorado.
Bob Ovitz of Erie, Colorado, and Will Muzek of Westminster, Colorado, opened the Broomfield location in January. The location had previously been Lionheart Cleaners. Ovitz and Muzek purchased the plant after Lionheart Cleaners owner passed away due to COVID-19 complications.
4. American Express Offers $5K Grants for Small-Business Recovery (Feb. 16, 2022) In February 2022, American Express unveiled a new grant program designed to support service-based small businesses — including dry cleaners — that were affected by the pandemic.
The “Services that Back Us” program, made in partnership with Main Street America, made 75 personal service industry small businesses grants of $5,000 each. These funds were to be used toward meeting critical company needs, such as physical and digital improvements, new equipment, technology, and training to help support their financial recovery and growth.
3. DLI Swears In 2022-23 Board of Directors (Sept. 28, 2022) — The Drycleaning & Laundry Institute (DLI) swore in its 2022-2023 Board of Directors at its Summer 2022 Board Meeting in Atlanta. DLI’s Board is comprised of fabricare business owners and operators from eight regions around the U.S., an Executive Committee, and Allied Trades representatives. All board members, DLI said in its announcement, volunteer their time and energy to guide the Institute toward providing the best benefit to its membership.
2. SBA Upgrades Guidance for Targeted EIDL Reevaluations (Feb. 7, 2022) — The U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) announced in February updated guidance for small businesses that had already applied for the Targeted Economic Injury Disaster Loan (EIDL) Advance program, received a decline, and were interested in applying for reevaluation.
The Targeted EIDL Advance program is a COVID-19 relief measure that is designed to provide eligible applicants funds of up to $10,000 that do not have to be repaid. In 2021, the Targeted Advance program provided approximately $5 billion to nearly 600,000 businesses, especially for hardest-hit small businesses in underserved communities.
1. Boston-area Prom Dress Drive Kicks Off (Feb. 9, 2022) — For the 18th year, Anton’s Cleaners in Massachusetts, as a member of Caring Partners, again took part in the annual “Belle of the Ball” program and Boutique Day, a one-day culmination of New England’s largest and longest-running prom dress drive, which ran from Feb. 7 through March 20.
The program gathers donations from the public and from organizations, allowing high school junior and senior girls who might not otherwise be able to afford a prom dress to look their best on their big night. While the program was on hiatus in 2021, the 2022 season was again in full swing.
To view No. 6 through 10 of this list, click HERE.
Have a question or comment? E-mail our editor Dave Davis at [email protected].
