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Vol. LXIV, No. 47
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Wednesday, November 24, 2010
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Vol. LXIV, No. 47
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Wednesday, November 24, 2010
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 SERVICE WITH A SMILE: “We have put a team together. We’re willing to support people, to be available for them, and to be honest and trustworthy. We’ll build a relationship with our clients.” Lorrie Janick, second from left, is managing partner of the new Pristine Fine Dry Cleaning and Concierge of Princeton. Shown from left are staff members: Mary Beth Sharman, Laura Barrett, Patricia Sanson, and Megan Geary. |
Customers who take their coats, pants, or dresses to Pristine Fine Dry Cleaning in the new building at 23 Spring Street will find another brand new opportunity at the same address: Concierge of Princeton.
These two businesses opened in October, and are the new venture of Tom and Lorrie Janick, owners of Craft Cleaners, Princeton’s long-time dry cleaning service.
“It’s a sister company to Craft, but a separate business operation,” explains managing partner Lorrie Janick. “We are unique in the area. From Craft, we knew the market, and we have been providing a pick-up and delivery service for 26 years. It’s a type of concierge service itself. Studies have shown that the number one service people want to have is for someone to drop off and pick up their dry cleaning!”
The two services can certainly be complementary. Pristine offers full-service, customized cleaning, with special handling, as well as tailoring and shoe repair. The concierge operation provides people with help in areas from running errands to waiting for deliveries, caring for pets, and shopping for and wrapping holiday gifts.
Custom Work
Regarding the cleaning, Ms. Janick points out that the Janicks own another custom, special-handling dry cleaning business in Naples, Florida, also known as Pristine. “This is all custom work too, so we have had experience with this type of cleaning.
“People are interested in how their garments are handled today, and they want less packaging,” she continues. “We have limited packaging. They are also interested in environmentally-friendly products, and we have been in the forefront of green technology.”
Stains are always a big factor, and Pristine has special techniques for handling them, both on garments and shoes. “One customer had been to a dance,” reports Ms. Janick, “and her partner had just polished his shoes, stepped on her foot, and got polish all over her new satin shoes.”
In addition to cleaning typical items, Pristine has been handling a great deal of tailoring, she adds. “We’re refurbishing items, re-lining coats, fixing pockets, and changing buttons. If someone has a nice garment that means something to them, they really want to keep wearing it.”
New Adventure
Another service Pristine Dry Cleaning offers is delivery and/or easy pick-up. “We have a loading zone, and if people call or text us as to when they’ll be coming, we’ll have valet service right to their car. It’s very efficient and fits into today’s life-style.”
The concierge business is a new adventure for Ms. Janick, and she is very enthusiastic about it. “When we began to think about this, I started to research concierge service, attended classes, and I’m now a certified international concierge.
“We felt something like this was missing in Princeton. It’s really an idea whose time has come. It’s the confluence of events: people being busier, moms and dads both working out of the house, the demands of the high tech society. It has created a need; people need help in so many areas today.
“People out of state may be concerned about their older parents. Perhaps they need help getting their groceries, etc. Other people may need someone to check the pipes in the house, if they’re away in the winter.
“A man, living here in one of the apartments in the building needed residential cleaning. We arranged that for him. Another client asked us to pick up and assemble a patio storage box for him. We can also watch the cat, walk the dog, pick up the cleaning, and organize parties.”
Ms. Janick has assembled a staff, all of whom are insured and bonded, and who help people in many ways. “We do background checks on all our people, and we will soon have four full-time staff in addition to our large part-time staff.
“We’ll build relationships with people,” she continues. “The service can start with one idea and then lead to another. A man called us and said he was having carpet delivered, and wanted us to vacuum afterward. It turned out that he had to miss the delivery, and asked us if we could accept the carpet. You have to be flexible because you never know what will come up. Service and personal attention are our priority. ‘Our staff is your staff’ is our motto.”
Holiday Services
Customers will no doubt be delighted to learn that Concierge of Princeton will be offering special holiday-related services. Holiday decorating, shopping, gift wrapping (“We’re wrapping now!”), hand-addressing cards and invitations, packaging, shipping, and local delivery, in addition to personal gift and corporate gift ideas, are all available.
Other areas of help include a complete range of errands, home management (house-sitting, telephone support), personal and executive assistance (wardrobe consultancy, personal shopping, and office help), event options (gifts and favors, delivery of food and beverages, children’s parties), garage sales, etc.
Individuals who can benefit from Concierge of Princeton’s services are new mothers, single parents, those home from the hospital, seniors who value their independence, busy professionals, newcomers to town, working moms, commuters, and bachelors, among others.
Even in the short time the business has been open, Ms. Janick reports receiving many thanks from customers: “My son’s suit needed to be cleaned, packaged, and sent in time for his interview, and it was done. Many thanks!” Also, “You really saved me; I just couldn’t take another day off to wait for the repairman. Thanks!”
And, “I would have missed my flight if I had to return home to get my daughter’s paper and bring it to school ….”
Multi-Tasker
Ms. Janick can readily understand these clients’ predicaments. “I’m a multi-tasker. I’ve raised kids, run a business, and managed a home. I’ve found that quite a few things can be accomplished in a half-hour. I’m an expert on multi-tasking, and now it’s my time to help others.
“Another thing that’s nice is that we have a store front. Our space was designed by local architect Joshua Zinder, and it’s great. People can come in and find out about both the cleaning and the concierge service.
“And we want you to shop local. You can come here, we’ll wrap your packages, and we’ll watch them while you continue to shop. Also, the first half-hour is free in the Spring Street parking garage.
“The downtown is so much fun. And the other merchants have been so welcoming. I love being here.”
Concierge costs are $45 per hour; $405 monthly (10 hours of service). Gift certificates are available.
Pristine Cleaning and Concierge of Princeton also offers state-of-the-art credit card security for customers.
Hours are Monday through Friday 8 a.m. to 6 p.m, Saturday 8:30 to 3, with extended hours during the holidays. (609) 921-8700. A website will be available soon.