Pilgrim Reaches 80th Year Milestone

MINNEAPOLIS — Pilgrim Dry Cleaners is celebrating its 80^th year in 2020 and describes itself as the, “Twin Cities favorite eco-friendly dry cleaner.”

Founded in 1940, it notes that it was established on, “The principle that our success is dependent on three key ingredients; Convenience, Quality, and Service.”

Founder Don Rosen’s commitment to family and community is still evident in the business today, it relates. Three generations, family-owned and operated, the operation consists of 26 branch locations and more than 200 employees.

Also, it points out, Pilgrim Dry Cleaners became a woman-owned and operated business when Rosen’s daughter Bonnie Engler became CEO of the family business in 2004. “We strive to improve and serve our customers and communities in the best way possible,” Engler says.

The company relates that Engler has maintained Rosen’s commitment to family and community over the years and its employee’s loyalty is very apparent. More than half of their 200 employees, it points out, have been with the company for over 10 years and 22 of those employees have been with Pilgrim for over 20 years.

Rosen founded the Pilgrim Cleaners Coats for Kids program in 1986 and has since donated over 422,000 coats to help Minnesota families in need, the firm says.

Pilgrim adds that it has multiple community drives throughout the year to give back to children in their local community including Costumes for Kids and Scouting for Uniforms as well as donating thousands to local charities in need.

“One of our secrets to success is that we are easy to do business with,” says Derek Engler, vice president, son of CEO Bonnie Engler, and grandson of the late Don Rosen, and now the third generation working for Pilgrim Dry Cleaners.

Derek Engler states that: “Pilgrim has invested in new technology and modern stores to continually serve our customers better.”

He adds that the cleaners offers same day service, free home and office pickup and delivery, on-demand pick-up with their Pilgrim Go App, drive-thru locations, and 24-hour kiosks.

Pilgrim is tentatively planning a company party later this summer to mark its 80^th year.

The late Don Rosen, who founded the cleaners in 1940, with daughter Bonnie Engler and grandson Derek Engler. Three generations of family ownership have run Pilgrim Dry Cleaners, now celebrating its 80th year. The cleaners is tentatively planning a company party for employees and their families in later summer, as well as offering their loyal clients many give-aways and opportunities to win prizes.(Photos by: Pilgrim Dry Cleaners)

Derek Engler is vice president and CEO and the son of owner Bonnie Engler.

Pilgrim Dry Cleaners plant staff pose for a team photo taken last summer.

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