New owner at Parliament Cleaners slashes prices
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| Parliament Cleaners, at 7412 Little River Turnpike. |
One of the oldest continuously operating businesses in
Annandale, Parliament Cleaners in the Little River Shopping Center, has a new
owner.
Annandale, Parliament Cleaners in the Little River Shopping Center, has a new
owner.
Joseph Lee purchased the business from Connie Burnley, who
has owned and operated the shop for 48 years.
has owned and operated the shop for 48 years.
Lee is working on fixing the machines and renovating the interior of the shop.
He has already removed the fake fireplace.
He has already removed the fake fireplace.
The biggest change planned by Lee, however, is much lower
prices for dry cleaning. He hasn’t finalized the prices, but, instead of the $7.50 Parliament used to charge for
pants, he is planning to charge $3. Suits will be $6 or $7
instead of $15.
prices for dry cleaning. He hasn’t finalized the prices, but, instead of the $7.50 Parliament used to charge for
pants, he is planning to charge $3. Suits will be $6 or $7
instead of $15.
He acknowledges dry cleaning is a tough business, as washable,
casual clothing has gotten more popular while fewer people wear suits to work
every day. He says there used to be 13 cleaners in Annandale, and now there are only four.
casual clothing has gotten more popular while fewer people wear suits to work
every day. He says there used to be 13 cleaners in Annandale, and now there are only four.
“People still need dry cleaning,” says Lee, who says the key
to success is bringing the cost down.
to success is bringing the cost down.
Lee has been in the dry cleaning business for 32 years and owned cleaners in Fair City Mall and Landmark Plaza but shut them down because the rents were too high.
Parliament offers laundry service, alternations, and rug cleaning, as well as dry cleaning.
Burnley decided to retire to take care of her ailing husband,
Michael Goetzinger. He died in November. Lee says she plans to come back and
work at the shop on a limited basis after she settles her husband’s affairs
but “will not work 12 hours a day like she used to.”
Michael Goetzinger. He died in November. Lee says she plans to come back and
work at the shop on a limited basis after she settles her husband’s affairs
but “will not work 12 hours a day like she used to.”
Parliament opened in 1968, and the Burnleys purchased it in
1972. It’s not the oldest business in Annandale, however. That honor goes to
Sal’s Shoe Repair, which opened on Little River Turnpike in 1954.
1972. It’s not the oldest business in Annandale, however. That honor goes to
Sal’s Shoe Repair, which opened on Little River Turnpike in 1954.
Related story: Sal’s has been fixing shoes in Annandale since 1954
One response to “New owner at Parliament Cleaners slashes prices”
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Thanks for posting this story. I'll miss Connie and Jimmy and hope that Mr. Lee continues to provide the high-quality, eco-friendly dry cleaning that I am accustomed to.