LIBERTYVILLE, Ill. — Zengeler Cleaners, a seven-store operation based in Libertyville, Ill., is celebrating its sesquicentennial next month, and is calling on its loyal customers to share their memories of the last 150 years.
Founded in 1857 by John Zengeler as New York Steam Dye Works in downtown Chicago, the operation grew to become one of the Midwest’s largest under his great-grandson Bob Zengeler and great-great-grandson Tom Zengeler. Many members of the fifth generation are part of the operation today.
Zengeler Cleaners is asking customers to play a role in the company’s anniversary celebration. “First, we’re looking for our oldest living customer,” Tom Zengeler says. “So far, that search has identified a living customer from nearly 70 years ago, but we’re confident that someone, somewhere has been a customer even longer.
“The loyalty of our customers is one of the many reasons this company has been successful for so many years,” he says. “That loyalty has been earned in part because we played a valuable role in important moments in our customers’ own family histories.
“For example, we’ve been there as they prepared to look their very best for important job interviews, weddings, christenings, and bar and bat mitzvahs. Afterwards, we’ve helped customers preserve precious family heirlooms. As a result, our families share some wonderful and significant memories.”
The company has teamed with LifeOnRecord, a service that allows customers to record testimonials by calling 800-915-8175. The testimonials will be part of a 150th Anniversary reception to be held Sept. 15, 2007, at the Westin North Shore in Wheeling, Ill. For more information, visit the company’s website, www.zengelercleaners.com.
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