Why I love my dry cleaner

In my previous life, when I worked at big company and wore “big lady” clothes to work, I was a frequent dry cleaning customer. Initially, I went to the neighbourhood dry cleaner because it was convenient, just a few steps from my office.

It didn’t hurt that it was owned by a young Italian guy, who also lived in the area. He was friendly and charming, and it was nice to walk in to the door and get a big hello.

But what I truly loved about the place — or Joe, to be specific — is that he knew who I was. Not just, “hey, how are you, I’ve seen you before” but he knew my name AND my phone number. That was pretty impressive when I was a fairly frequent customer.

These days, I work mostly from home, and don’t have much need for dry cleaning. But I do usually drop by about once a year with a few items that need cleaning. Joe still knows my name, and sometimes even gets my phone number right. I call that great service.

That’s why I still take my dry cleaning to Joe — at Peloso Cleaners — even when there are closer, less expensive cleaners. If you’re ever in Ottawa’s Little Italy, be sure to stop by.