Voices From Fabricare: On Getting Thru COVID-19 (Part 1)

CHICAGO — A few recent voices of garment care owners, in their own words:

Presidential Cleaners says it has, “Launched our Front Line Relief effort. We are offering free drycleaning and laundry service to all first responders, front line medical and front line grocery staff. This is a whole family offer as we want to take the stress of all laundry needs off the family. This is a community funded effort that we hope to continue as long as we can. We launched this great effort April 15.”

— Steven Fry, owner, Presidential Cleaners, Brighton, Mich.

Dutch Girl Cleaners says it is providing, “Free uniform cleaning to all first responders and front line medical staff. We plan to keep this offer going throughout the duration of the pandemic. We have been mentioned several times in the resent weeks on the local news and radio. I really want this to be an inspiration to other cleaners to step up if they are able and help by giving back to those who give so much.”

— Joe Baughman, general manager, Dutch Girl Cleaners, Walnut Creek, Calif.

Drycleaning by Dorothy says that, “Although this virus hit like a ton of bricks I believe we have managed a way to keep working. With sales off about 80% we at first laid off all employees. We adjusted our hours to Mon.-Fri. 9-3, and Sat. 10-2. Closed Wed. and Sun. My wife and I are waiting on customers every day and so far we have taken in enough dry cleaning and shirts to have the entire staff come back and process on Thursdays.

“We have seen several new customers every day and also our regular higher volume customers for the most part. It’s worth noting that our average customer piece count is much higher. We are taking in an unusually large amount of $100 plus orders. “As more people realize that we are open my hope is that we’ll slowly graduate to process two days and then three and so on. I think the most important thing for dry cleaners to do is to let their customers know that they are open and their new hours. Flags, Facebook, Twitter and email are great, inexpensive ways to accomplish this. Stay safe!”

— Bob Devaney, owner, Drycleaning by Dorothy, Boston area

Check back Thursday for the conclusion.

Steven Fry, owner, Presidential Cleaners, Brighton, Mich. His company “Launched our Front Line Relief effort. We are offering free drycleaning and laundry service to all first responders, front line medical and front line grocery staff.” (Photo by Presidential Cleaners)

The team wears masks at Drycleaning by Dorothy. Bob Devaney, on right, is the president and works with his wife and gets help from their masked pooch. (Photo by Drycleaning by Dorothy)

Have a question or comment? E-mail our editor Dave Davis at [email protected].