Among former customers is Kathy Hart Young of Clearcreek Twp. who noted the irony of the closing of a cleaners “offering free dry cleaning to the unemployed so they could look clean and pressed going to interviews.”
Hoffman, a Franklin resident, said she began offering the free service last summer after getting the idea in an industry trade magazine.
She said a lack of business, and rising utilities and other costs, forced her to close the business that had opened 17 years ago on Feb. 1.
Hoffman already had another job caring for the handicapped in Maineville, but three workers were left unemployed.
Several customers, arms full of rumpled clothes, hovered uncertainly outside the door Tuesday while reading a sign advertising, “Pickups only.”
Hoffman and employee Teah Collins of Springboro were there in case customers returned for unclaimed garments, such as a brown jacket left since March 2008 and dry-cleaned for $5.37. Those items unclaimed were to be donated to Haitian earthquake victims. Spring Park is the latest business in the shopping center on West Central Avenue (Ohio 73), just east of Springboro City Hall, to close.
“The economy is getting to everybody,” Hoffman said.
Hoffman referred customers to Dan Wade and the Pointe Cleaners, across Central.
“He just came over today to thank me for it,” she said.
Joy Noble of Maineville picked up her last check for suede and leather services for Spring Park and bid Hoffman farewell.
“We’ve had a lot of hugs. And tears. It’s sad,” Hoffman said. “I’m going to really miss the people.”
Contact this reporter at (937) 225-2261 or lbudd@DaytonDailyNews.com.
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