MAY/JUNE 2018 29 BULLE TIN NO. 762 By Diana Vollmer, Managing Director of Methods for Management, Inc. The Dream Dry Cleaning Plant IfMoneyWereNoObject TECHNICAL OPERATINGInformation Do you dream of a new plant? Are you tired of “making do” with what you have? What would you include in your wish list for a new or renovated plant if you were not con- strained by cash or space? Of course, that is never the actuality and there are always constraints, but let’s suspend budgetary and space limita- tions momentarily and dream a bit. In addition to the obvious basics for which there exist standard checklists, a state-of-the-art dry cleaning and laun- dry plant would include: Retail Store Front Even in industrial locations, retail plant stores can generate substantial sales volume if they are well designed, appropri- ately marketed, and also professionally managed. Some considerations and components that increase the probability of success for any drycleaning store include: Planning • Professional consumer profile analysis of passersby to gauge their propensity to buy your services—do they want cleaning and can they afford it? • Traffic count analysis; make separate pedestrian and vehi- cle counts by time of day and by traffic direction • Easily accessible major traffic arteries for shuttle, route, and customer access • Easily accessible curb cuts to parking lot, and drive-thru access for both entry and exit • High degree of visibility from all traffic directions and sur- rounding businesses and homes • Professional interior and exterior design • Attractive, attention-grabbing landscaping Store Interior • Point-of-sale computer system integrated with production, customer management and communication, exception management reporting, billing, and your financial ac- counting system • Flat-screen TVs located at the customer’s eye level (whether they are standing in the store or sitting in their vehicle in the drive-thru) and featuring continually chang- ing marketing messages that promote services and prod- ucts to increase cross-sales to existing customers • Credentials that are organized and professionally pre- sented within customer view • Visible, well-organized alterations department with a uni- formed tailor or seamstress • Oversized alterations fitting room providing complete pri- vacy and full-length mirrors on all walls, a call button so customers do not have to exit the room for assistance, a raised platform for pinning hems, a chair for the customer and/or the seamstress, and ample hooks and hangers for clothing (not storage of company supplies or equipment) • Specialty service consultation area, i.e. bridal • Professionally executed service displays (similar to profes- sional retailer display) to promote various specialty serv- ices and products • Ample attractive shelving to store folded work • Easily accessible but visually separated mark-in area • Display units—shadow box and hinged frame—to display The views and opinions expressed in this item are the author's and do not reflect an endorsement or position by the Drylceaning & Laundry Institute. This article originally appeared in American Drycleaners. It is reprinted here with permission from the author.