SAVAGE, Md. — Value Drycleaners of America LLC (VDA), the company that operates and franchises the ZIPS Cleaners brand of garment care centers, recently announced it has become the exclusive developer of Mulberrys Garment Care franchise locations throughout the United States.
Mulberrys has 13 locations across San Francisco and Minneapolis and this agreement will expand the brand into new markets, initially in the Baltimore/Washington D.C. region, ZIPS says, adding that Mulberrys is known for its boutique-style interiors, high-touch service, attention to detail, and free delivery.
“I am delighted to have found a good home for Mulberrys in ZIPS and its parent, VDA,” says Mulberrys founder Dan Miller. “Both of these brands meet a need in the market and combined, provide excellent options for both consumers and franchisees. ZIPS was founded by a group of ambitious entrepreneurs who, like me, saw an opportunity to capture a specific consumer segment and create value for those customers. I am confident that under the curation of ZIPS and with the support of VDA, Mulberrys will flourish and bring its reimagined garment care offering to many more discerning customers.”
Mulberrys currently has seven locations in the Twin Cities and another six in Northern California. Miller is continuing as an advisor to VDA and the operator of existing Mulberrys locations in San Francisco.
VDA has established a new entity, Gemini Cleaners LLC, to serve as master franchisor of Mulberrys locations nationwide. In addition, the company announced it will explore opening and operating Mulberrys locations itself under separate business entities. This agreement reflects the organization’s commitment to growing its investment into the $10 billion garment care market by offering distinct brands that meet the needs and preferences of distinct consumer segments.
Members of the ZIPS corporate team will now support existing ZIPS and Mulberrys franchisees in opening and operating new locations while courting additional investors to join the ZIPS/Mulberrys family.
“The garment care industry is growing and changing as consumer preferences, demographics, and lifestyles are shifting,” says Bob Barry, president/CEO of VDA, Gemini Brands and ZIPS. “This partnership allows us to offer franchise opportunities that can be customized for each geographic area to meet the needs and preferences of consumers in these regions. In doing so, we can provide the greatest opportunity for investors to maximize their market share.”
The first Mulberrys store to launch under the Gemini umbrella debuted late last year in the Friendship Heights section of Washington, D.C., and is owned and operated by Brett Vago of KV Management.
“We were honored to have the privilege of opening the first Mulberrys location in the East,” says Vago. “The Friendship Heights community has embraced the concept, and we’re off to a solid start. My partners and I are now eagerly exploring opportunities to introduce the Mulberrys experience to more Washington and Northern Virginia neighborhoods, as are other franchisees in our system.”
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