LITTLE ROCK, Ark. — There are now 27 Tide Dry Cleaners locations nationwide, and one of the franchisor’s newest stores here at 11211 Cantrell Road is this year’s recipient of American Drycleaner’s Outstanding New Build award.
The 3,036-square-foot plant-on-premises in northwest Little Rock embraces Tide’s belief that 24-hour convenience is needed to accommodate customers’ around-the-clock lifestyles. A double drive-thru valet canopy and curbside service makes drop-off during business hours a snap, but Tide customers can also drop off items 24 hours a day, seven days a week, and pick up from a secure locker room anytime after hours if necessary.
Building exterior makes the most of local architectural aesthetics. Inside, customers can enjoy high-end finishes, including Corian® solid-surface countertops, as well as digital menu boards.
Inside the production area, two drycleaning machines, colorfully branded with the Tide logo, can be seen from the front counter. Nearby, a conveyor system in a reverse-L shape hold bagged garments.
The other half of the rectangular area includes a spotting station, finishing equipment, laundry equipment, the break room and the boiler room. Spot cooling is utilized at the pressing stations.
Equipment used in the plant comes from Union (for GreenEarth solvent), Metalprogetti, Unipress, Forenta, UniMac, Fulton, Kaeser, Rema Dri-Vac, SPOT Business Systems and Speed Queen, among other companies.
Fugitt & Associates served as the project architect, and Tide Dry Cleaners provided interior design as well as the plant layout. The store declined to identify the project’s distributor.
American Drycleaner extends its congratulations to all of the winners of our 54th Annual Plant Design Awards! If your company will be building a new plant, or upgrading a facility, over the next year, be sure to document your progress and enter your construction or renovation project in the 55th Annual Plant Design Awards to be presented in early 2016. Watch American Drycleaner during the latter half of this year for entry information and deadlines. Contact Editorial Director Bruce Beggs ([email protected]) with any questions. We hope to see your plant in the running next year!
Have a question or comment? E-mail our editor Dave Davis at [email protected].