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May 21, 2013
Lapels’ Dubois is NEFA Franchise Executive of the Year

HANOVER, Mass. — Role in franchise’s growth, commitment to greener dry cleaning, and community outreach efforts earn NEFA honor

HANOVER, Mass. — Kevin Dubois, CEO of Lapels Dry Cleaning, received the Franchise Executive of the Year award from the New England Franchise Association (NEFA), during its April 9 Franchise Relations Summit in Norwood, Mass.

His role in Lapels Dry Cleaning’s growth, commitment to greener dry cleaning processes, and community outreach efforts were among the reasons NEFA honored him with the distinction.

Murray Vetstein, NEFA president, considers Dubois a “most worthy recipient” of the award.

“Under [Dubois’] leadership, Lapels has raised the bar when it comes to its business practices, and how much the company and its franchisees give back to the communities they serve,” he says.

In the past 10 years, Lapels has created eco-friendly dry cleaning solutions, making it one of the few dry cleaners in New England to have “no hazardous waste in their process,” NEFA says.

“Considering the high caliber of franchise executives in NEFA and the area which the association covers—the six New England states—this truly is an honor,” Dubois says.

February 13, 2013
Lapels Dry Cleaning Launches International Division

HANOVER, Mass. — Franchise looks to bring signature services overseas

HANOVER, Mass. — Lapels Dry Cleaning has built its franchise upon environmentally friendly dry cleaning methods, “outrageous” customer service and marketing, the company says, and now it’s looking to bring those signature services abroad with a new international division.

“I believe there are markets outside the United States that will be as strong, if not stronger, because of the lack of quality competition and the importance of quality garments and the care of those garments,” says Michael Eisner, director of franchise development for Lapels. “Over the years, we have been inundated with requests for franchising from overseas.”

“Being able to have your garments cleaned in an affordable and timely fashion that doesn’t negatively impact the environment is something that’s appreciated everywhere, not just in the U.S.,” says Lapels CEO Kevin Dubois. “With this new division, we are currently speaking with Franchise Partners from across the world and anticipate opening our first store within 2013.”

January 16, 2013
Plant Design Awards: Special Honors, Outstanding Strip Location: Lapels Dry Cleaning

GILBERT, Ariz. — Granite counters, custom cabinetry, chandeliers, pendant lighting and more

GILBERT, Ariz. — The newest Lapels Dry Cleaning plant from Massachusetts-based franchisor Next Step Franchising features granite counters, custom cabinetry, chandeliers, pendant lighting, French doors, etched glass, crown moldings, and a fully separated call area from the on-site plant.

Lapels offers dry cleaning, shirt service, on-site tailoring, leather/suede care, shoe repair, 24-hour drop-off, heirlooming, and same-day service, pickup and delivery.

The air-conditioned production area in the 2,200-square-foot facility includes a Firbimatic hydrocarbon dry cleaning machine, Wascomat wet cleaning equipment, and Forenta and Unipress finishing and tensioning equipment. Boiler room equipment is by Fulton and Ingersoll Rand. The plant utilizes DCCS and SPOT Business Systems point-of-sale software.

This Lapels location employs 12 full-time-equivalent workers.

Next Step Franchising designed the plant layout, and Mike Marden, Marden Design, was architect.

October 24, 2012
Lapels Dry Cleaning Opens Three Stores in Arizona’s East Valley

HANOVER, Mass. — Couple owns/operates franchised stores in Gilbert, Ahwatukee and Chandler

HANOVER, Mass. — Lapels Dry Cleaning recently opened two dry cleaning stores in Arizona’s East Valley, in Gilbert and Ahwatukee, and is opening a third store in Chandler this month. The stores are locally owned and operated by Gilbert residents Jeff and Tanya Kline.

“We are delighted to bring Lapels’ standard of high-quality dry cleaning and superior customer service to our friends, neighbors and fellow East Valley residents,” says Jeff Kline.

Prior to opening the Lapels stores, he worked as an aerospace engineer. Tanya Kline continues her work as a homemaker and active community volunteer (the couple has two children), in addition to her role in their new business..

“There were so many reasons why we chose to purchase a Lapels franchise,” says Tanya Kline. “The environmental piece was certainly up there on our list, but it was an overall commitment to a high-quality customer experience that truly sold us.”

Lapels uses the latest technology in equipment and cleaning solutions, and produces no hazardous waste in its dry cleaning process, the company says.

October 1, 2012
Lapels Dry Cleaning Contributes Two Tons of Clothing to Big Brothers Big Sisters

HANOVER, Mass. — Nineteen stores combine to collect 4,073 pounds of garments for charity

HANOVER, Mass. — Having a “ton” of laundry is an often-used figure of speech. This year’s Lapels Dry Cleaning clothes drive put a visual to this expression by collecting 4,073 pounds for Big Brothers Big Sisters of Massachusetts and Rhode Island.

The May clothing drive included significant contributions from 18 Lapels Dry Cleaning stores and plants in Massachusetts and one in Rhode Island.

“Our Massachusetts stores and our Lincoln, R.I., location really stepped it up for this clothing drive,” says Kevin Dubois, CEO of Lapels Dry Cleaning. “Lapels prides itself on being environmentally friendly. A part of that is giving back to the communities we serve. We’re grateful to have a customer base that shares that spirit of giving.”

Some of the larger contributors were Lapels of Norton (575 pounds), Lapels of Hanover/Assinippi Corner (437 pounds), and Lapels of Walpole (345 pounds).

“With 18 Lapels stores participating in this drive, it helped make this a huge success,” says Ken Higgins, Big Brothers Big Sisters dispatch supervisor.

July 22, 2009
Pressing with a Form Finisher

Ever wish you could steam the wrinkles out of a suede or leather garment? Even though I’ve advised against it in the past, you can!

In the past, I’ve explained that pressing suede and leather garments with a hand iron is almost exactly like pressing cloth garments. And in the case of a steam/air form finisher, you can use the same techniques you would use in form-finishing cloth garments such as coats and jackets — including the steam cycle.

July 7, 2009
Lapels Collects more than Two Tons of Donated Clothing

HANOVER, Mass. — Lapels Dry Cleaning stores collected more than two tons of clothing during the annual Lapels Clothing Drive to benefit the Big Brothers Big Sisters Foundation and Big Sisters of Rhode Island.

Patrons of the Massachusetts and Rhode Island Lapels Dry Cleaning stores collected more than 200 bags of clothing, totaling approximately 4,000 pounds.

July 4, 2007
Make A Template for Quality Finishing

Finishing in drycleaning is not given enough attention. Coming at the tail end of the process, it is often pushed through just to get the job done. The presser makes several quick swipes on his machine. He hangs up the garment. The inspector bags the garment, giving it a cursory once-over. And the garment is ready to be picked up. The job is done, and it’s on to the next item.