After fleeing to the United States during the Greek Genocide, my great-grandparents opened a small dry cleaner in Bay Ridge, Brooklyn on 4th Avenue & 95th Street. My great-grandfather pressed garments, helped customers, and made deliveries by bicycle. My great-grandmother was the store’s seamstress (all the actual dry cleaning was performed by a wholesaler off-site).

1920

Generation II: Their son, my grandfather, expanded the family trade after serving in the Air Force during World War II.

1945

My grandfather, George, went on to open three full-production locations (all work performed on-premises) on Long Island (Garden City, Franklin Square, and finally his flagship location in Albertson in 1961). All three locations served their local communities for many years, with a happy and loyal customer base. Upon reaching retirement age, my grandfather sold his Garden City and Franklin Square locations, and in the late 1980s, my parents purchased his flagship Albertson location (where they had already been working).

1961

Generation III: Under the leadership of my parents, Michael and Darcia, the already popular location remained on the forefront of dry cleaning technology, being one of the very first dry cleaners to implement dry-to-dry technology, computerized ticketing, and credit card acceptance. Quality, however, always remained the store’s top priority (as it is today), and the location retained a reputation for exceptional dry cleaning for decades. My involvement in the family business began in high school, when I would work a few days a week after school, as well as summers, learning the trade. Then came college, after which I spent read more

1986

1986

1986

Generation IV: When my parents told me they were ready to sell the business and retire in 2009, I immediately knew that I wanted to step in and keep the family trade moving forward. I couldn’t be happier with my decision - I love the business and enjoy each day at work. I’ve had the pleasure of working on a number of projects over the years, each with the goal of better serving our clients.

2009