GETTING A PEEK BEHIND THE SEAMS

Hello!

My name is Brooke, and for just over a year now, I have written a blog called Always a Bridesmaid, which essentially covers everything weddings. Along the way, I’ve discovered countless incredible resources for brides, their party, and wedding-goers at large; from bridal boutiques to florists to dessert shops that would make a gal’s mouth water. The wedding world in Chicago, like most communities once you infiltrate them, actually becomes quite intimate, and word-of-mouth is paramount.

So in hopes of bringing the best of the Chicago wedding and fashion world to my readers, I ventured out to Davis Imperial to see first-hand what the fuss was about. Even from its exterior, the space looks nothing like a typical dry cleaner–elegantly crafted signage (no neon here!) displayed names like Chanel, and the windows themselves housed fashion that would fit perfectly within the walls of a high-end boutique. It’s no wonder, as I discovered the visual merchandiser behind the displays held long-standing jobs at Neiman’s and Armani. If a merchandiser seems out of place within the average idea of a dry cleaner, get used to it; once you experience the Davis Imperial difference first hand, the accolades they’ve been receiving–making “best of” lists in books such as CS, Chicago Magazine, CS Brides, and Esquire Magazine’s: The Big Black Book-The Style Manual for Successful Men–are no surprise.

The difference is in the detail paid to every single service the Woods deliver. Lynda, Rick, and their son Jordan Wood are the tour de force behind the company, a business founded by Lynda’s parents who opened the doors over 55 years ago. Somehow, they manage to strike a delicate balance between a luxury brand (take one look at the packaging the clothing is sent home in and the “welcome kit” clients receive when engaging their services, and you’ll see there’s no better word fit to describe them) and a family business, providing the style-obsessed of Chicago a trusted resource for all the most important events in their lives. The Woods don’t just care about the bottom line, they care about the lives and the experience of their clients, treating them like family and never settling for less than the best.

Discovering the Davis Imperial name is like learning a vocabulary word you never knew before–once you hear it, suddenly it’s everywhere. The influence of the brand and the family infiltrates the city’s fashion and bridal world, and the stories aren’t just about clothing care, they offer a peek into the life of a family and of Chicagoans everywhere. Which is why I am so honored to launch this blog that allows everyone to learn firsthand the Davis Imperial difference, and bring exclusive fashion and bridal events, tips, and tricks to readers. Not only that, but Lynda, Rick, and Jordan will be stopping by every Friday for a Q&A session, answering everything and anything you want to know about the world of clothing, weddings, style and fabricare.

Thanks so much for reading! And please, if you have any stories you’d like to share, questions to ask, or topics you’d love to read about, email me at davisimperialblog@gmail.com. To learn more about the Davis Imperial difference, click over to their site.

p.s. Now you can follow Davis Imperial on Twitter and friend them on Facebook for blog, event, and deal updates.

Q&A WITH LYNDA, RICK, AND JORDAN: GREEN CLEANERS

Today’s reader question is about what it really means when a cleaner claims to be “green”.

Question: “Lately, I have really been trying to clean up my act when it comes to the environment, but I am wondering if there is a way to do this with my dry cleaner of choice? I am not really sure what the difference is between a “green” cleaner and a normal one. Am I losing anything by sending my clothing to an environmentally-friendly cleaner? Will my clothes get the same benefits? What am I gaining?” {Sarah, Vernon Hills, IL}

Answer:

Unless you’re a zealot for whom no price is too great to pay or sacrifice too much to ask, striking a balance between being a good environmental citizen and maintaining your personal standards for the quality and care in your life requires you to be an educated consumer.

Some choices are easy. You have to go to San Francisco for your BFF’s wedding. The smallest impact you could have on the environment is walking. THAT is zealot territory. The most self-indulgent choice is a private jet. THAT is obscene. For most responsible human beings who care about the world they live in, the reasonable choice is a seat on a non-stop commercial airline flight (an added bonus would be a full plane that achieved economy of scale!).

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For other choices, like dry cleaning, the pros and cons are not so obvious because the knowledge required to make an intelligent decision is primarily known only by industry insiders. You are to be commended for wanting to know the pluses and minuses attached to your choices, and we’re happy to share our inside, painstakingly researched information with you.

  1. All cleaners are not created equal.

There are green zealot cleaners for whom changes in texture, tensile strength, cleanliness, or even size are acceptable sacrifices because their primary and perhaps exclusive interest in being GREEN. These are generally ONE process cleaners. Think of them like a one-size-fits-all garment. They NEVER fit everyone perfectly. Similarly, a single green cleaning process is never the perfect cleaning answer for every garment brought in to them,. The result will almost always be a compromise.

  1. There are cleaners who have NO environmental conscience.

For their own reasons they choose not to invest in any eco-friendly technologies or practices beyond those required by state or local governments. Most of these cleaners are solely dependent on processing 100% of your garments in a solvent that the federal EPA has deemed to be a Hazardous Air Pollutant (HAP).

DAVIS IMPERIAL AWARDED

Receives One In A Million Award from One Million Degrees

Thank you so much for joining us for Suited for Success a few weeks ago and for all the incredible support-in-kind service you and your family have contributed to OMD and our amazing stories over the years. We are so lucky to have you in our corner.

Warmest wishes!

Best,

Paige

DAVIS IMPERIAL CLEANERS AWARDED TRIPLE CERTIFICATION AS 2014 CERTIFIED GARMENT CARE PROFESSIONAL®

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DRYCLEANING & LAUNDRY INSTITUTE INTERNATIONAL

Chicago, IL (October 15, 2014) – Davis Imperial Cleaners is one of only a handful of cleaners in the United States who has achieved triple certification as Certified Garment Care Professional®. Davis Imperial Cleaners completed the requirements to achieve Certified Professional Drycleaner®, Certified Environmental Drycleaner®, and Certified Professional Wetcleaner®.

Davis Imperial Cleaners Featured Twice in CS Magazine’s Best of Chicago 2010 January Issue

DAVIS IMPERIAL CLEANERS RECEIVES SEAL OF APPROVAL FROM INTERNATIONAL DRYCLEANING ASSOCIATION

DAVIS IMPERIAL CLEANERS Receives Seal of Approval from International Drycleaning Association

Seal of Approval 2014

Chicago, IL (January 15, 2014) —Davis Imperial Cleaners Receives Seal of Approval from International Drycleaning Association The Drycleaning and Laundry Institute awarded Davis Imperial Cleaners in Chicago, IL, with the 2014 Seal of Approval Award for Excellence in Quality Cleaning and Customer Service. Davis Imperial Cleaners has received the award nine times since 2005, when the program began.

The Award of Excellence is the premier recognition program for professional members of the Drycleaning & Laundry Institute. To achieve the award Davis Imperial Cleaners must prove it meets rigorous, objective standards in cleaning and service. Most importantly, the company must clean and return a specialized Cleaning Performance Test to prove their cleaning quality is among the best. In addition, the company must successfully remove six common, but difficult, stains on a silk swatch and return it for evaluation. Continuing education for staff and adherence to a set of customer service principles round out the requirements for consideration for the Seal of Approval.

“The program helps motivate Davis Imperial Cleaners’ staff, inspire innovation, and sustain consumer confidence in the drycleaning industry,” said Mary Scalco, CEO of the Drycleaning and Laundry Institute, a 107-year-old trade association designed to help drycleaners improve their businesses.

This prestigious award is given to very few select drycleaning establishments throughout the world that exemplify community service, continuing education, and leadership within the drycleaning industry.

Drycleaning business operators are not required to earn continuing education credits or achieve certification. Therefore, the Seal of Approval promotes educational and professional development to better serve families and communities.

“Receiving the Seal of Approval shows the level of service and dedication that my family and staff commit to the communities we serve,” said Rick Wood, owner of Davis Imperial Cleaners. “It’s an honor and a privilege to help our customers look their best. We are humbled by this award, but see it as a byproduct of our service, not an end result.”

Founded in 1956, Davis Imperial Cleaners has one location in the Illinois area. For more information on how they can make you look your best, look them up at www.davisimperial.com.  Learn more about The Drycleaning & Laundry Institute at www.DLIonline.org.

For more information on Davis Imperial Cleaners or high-resolution images, please contact Rick or Jordan Wood at 866.257.4560 or (couturefabricare@davisimperial.com ).

DAVIS IMPERIAL CLEANERS EARNS INTERNATIONAL DRYCLEANING AWARD 2013 SEAL OF APPROVAL RECOGNIZES TOP QUALITY AND SERVICE

2013 SEAL OF APPROVAL RECOGNIZES TOP QUALITY AND SERVICE

Chicago, IL (August 1, 2013) —For the eighth consecutive year, Davis Imperial Cleaners has earned the prestigious Seal of Approval for Quality Garment Cleaning & Customer Service. The Illinois-based cleaner passed all the rigorous cleaning and customer service evaluations. Earning the Seal of Approval signifies that Davis Imperial Cleaners has successfully maintained high-quality cleaning standards and has proven their ability in complex stain removal and consistently demonstrates superior quality and customer service.

This prestigious international award program is administered by the Drycleaning & Laundry Institute, a Washington, DC based group. To date, approximately 140 companies around the world have attained the Seal of Approval.

“Finding a good cleaner who will consistently treat you like a valued customer shouldn’t be a guessing game,” Drycleaning & Laundry Institute CEO Mary Scalco said. The 24-year veteran of the cleaning industry noted “By becoming a Seal of Approval cleaner, Davis Imperial Cleaners proved there is a difference between quality cleaners and their competition. Now customers know where to find a cleaner who will treat them and their garments properly – every time.”

Each year, Seal of Approval Drycleaners must renew their status with the program by successfully completing stain removal and cleaning performance tests. In addition, each business must meet other requirements, such as continuing education, community service, and offering superior customer service as evidenced by the company’s standing with the Better Business Bureau.

The Drycleaning & Laundry Institute represents the interests of the cleaning industry, clothing manufacturers, and consumer advisors in identifying those cleaning plants that provide the highest level of clothing care. The group began accepting applications for the Seal of Approval Award of Excellence for Quality Garment Cleaning & Customer Service in 2005.

For more information on Davis Imperial Cleaners or high-resolution images, please contact Rick or Jordan Wood at 866.257.4560 or (couturefabricare@davisimperial.com ).

DAVIS IMPERIAL CLEANERS JOINS ELITE CIRCLE OF SANITIZE® CERTIFIED MASTER DRYCLEANERS!

Chicago, IL (May 29, 2012) —Davis Imperial Cleaners proudly announces their recent induction into the drycleaning industry’s elite circle of Sanitone® Certified Master Drycleaners.

With more than 2,000 outlets worldwide, Sanitone-Certified Master Drycleaners have the exclusive privilege of offering a premium drycleaning process and other unique, licensed products and services to their customers.

“We’re honored to have such a distinguished drycleaner join our circle,” says John Jordan, president of Fabritec International.

Sanitone, a high-grade detergent/cleaning process from Fabritec International, actually enhances the color, texture, and feel of clothing. In fact, many leading clothiers trust the Sanitone process as the best way to keep clothes looking fresh and feeling new.

“We chose Sanitone because we wanted to provide the best care for our customers’ clothes,” says Jordan Wood of Davis Imperial Cleaners. “Now that we have Sanitone, we can!”

# # #

For more information on Davis Imperial Cleaners or high-resolution images, please contact Rick or Jordan Wood at 866.257.4560 or (couturefabricare@davisimperial.com ).

DAVIS IMPERIAL CLEANERS EARNS INTERNATIONAL DRYCLEANING AWARD 2012 SEAL OF APPROVAL RECOGNIZES TOP QUALITY AND SERVICE

2012 SEAL OF APPROVAL RECOGNIZES TOP QUALITY AND SERVICE –

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

CONTACT: Rick or Jordan Wood, Davis Imperial Cleaners, 773.267.4560

Chicago, IL (April 1, 2012) – For the seventh consecutive year, Davis Imperial Cleaners has earned the prestigious Seal of Approval for Quality Garment Cleaning & Customer Service. The Illinois-based cleaner passed all the rigorous cleaning and customer service evaluations. Earning the Seal of Approval signifies that Davis Imperial Cleaners has successfully removed a complex array of stains, maintains high-quality cleaning standards, and consistently demonstrates superior quality and customer service.

Davis Imperial Cleaners Featured Twice in CS Magazine’s Best of Chicago 2010 January Issue

This prestigious international award program is administered by the Drycleaning & Laundry Institute, a Washington, DC based group. To date, approximately 140 companies around the world have attained the Seal of Approval.

“Finding a good cleaner who will consistently treat you like a valued customer shouldn’t be a guessing game,” Bill Fisher. Chief Executive Officer of the Drycleaning & Laundry Institute, said. The 24-year veteran of the cleaning industry noted, “By becoming a Seal of Approval cleaner, Davis Imperial Cleaners  proved there is a difference between quality cleaners and their competition. Now customers know where to find a cleaner who will treat them and their garments properly — every time.”

Each year, Seal of Approval Drycleaners must renew their status with the program by successfully completing stain removal and cleaning performance tests. In addition, each business must meet other requirements, such as continuing education, community service, and offering superior customer service as evidenced by the company’s standing with the Better Business Bureau.

The Drycleaning & Laundry Institute represents the interests of the cleaning industry, clothing manufacturers, and consumer advisors in identifying those cleaning plants that provide the highest level of clothing care. The group began accepting applications for the Seal of Approval Award of Excellence for Quality Garment Cleaning & Customer Service in 2005.

# # #

Visit www.gooddrycleaners.com for more on the Seal of Approval Program or call Mary Scalco at the Drycleaning & Laundry Institute, 800.638.2627.

For more information on Davis Imperial Cleaners or high-resolution images, please contact Rick or Jordan Wood at 866.257.4560 or (couturefabricare@davisimperial.com ).

WED DOSSIER:

A PERFECT TEN

CS Brides Spotlights Ten of the hottest accessories, services, and more for weddings! Get ready to be inspired.
| By Emily Howald |

From CS Brides Magazine

DRESS PRESERVATION

The big day is all about the dress. Just don’t forget that the day after the big day should be, too. (Do you know what church dust and Champagne can do to silk organza?!) Luckily for brides, there’s Davis Imperial Cleaners to save the day. The museum-quality preservation shop hand-cleans and hand-presses every gown before it undergoes a series of white-glove inspections in the preservation laboratory—the only one of its kind in the Midwest.

Then, when it looks as good as new, they’ll wrap your dress in pre-washed, chemical-free muslin before storing it in an acid-free, archival-quality chest (each one is decorated with lace, silk ribbon, cording, and satin roses). All you have to do is make room for the big box in your closet.

Davis Imperial Cleaners, 3325 W. Bryn Mawr Ave., 866.267.4560, davisimperial.com

WITH A SMILE

DRY OUT

| By Moira Lawler | Photography by BitCrafter Media Corporation|
From The Men’s Book magazine


You wouldn’t take your Benz to a rando mechanic, and dropping your Brioni or Dior Homme suit off for dry cleaning at any ol’ place is equally nutty. There are few things one can say definitively, but this we can: Davis Imperial Cleaners is the best dry cleaners in the city.

Think: hidden stains rooted out with a black light, packaging tailored specifically to your garment, inclusive button replacement and minor repairs, perfectly rolled lapels, tie edges rolled, not ironed, and, when your clothes are returned in store-bought condition, an itemized list of every imperfection Davis fixed.

“What we hear most from guys is that they’re impressed there’s no shine, no double creases, and no impressions,” says Lynda Wood, whose parents opened Davis in 1956.

Davis Imperial Cleaners, 3325 W. Bryn Mawr Ave., 773.267.4560, davisimperial.com.