Tide Dry Cleaners Opening First Illinois Location In Naperville

Dry cleaning is going hi-tech with Tide bringing its new concept in laundry care to Naperville.

The first Tide Dry Cleaners is expected to open before the end of the month, and its owners plan to bring a high-level of service and convenience to customers. Not only will the business offer customers a “green” cleaning process, but the shop will always be “open” for customers with busy schedules.

The Tide Dry Cleaners is located at 2940 Showplace Dr., along Route 59. The business will offer 24-hour drop off and pick-up, said Raj Patel, president of The Hari Group, who with his father, Bud Patel, owns the franchise.

The location in Naperville will be the first to open in Illinois, Patel said. There are 16 other locations around the country. By the end of the year a second location is expected to open in Glen Ellyn and there is potential to open another 12-14 in the Chicago area.

The Hari Group owns Dunkin Donuts, Baskin Robbins, Jersey Mike’s and Buffalo Wings and Rings. All of the franchises are located in Naperville, except the Jersey Mike’s, which is located in Glen Ellyn.

Patel said that P&G was searching for top-level teams for the franchise and it wasn’t hard for the Hari Group to get on board.

“There is no bigger name in laundry care than Tide,” Patel said. “And, there’s the green technology, the brightness of the plant and no bigger name.”

Along with the name, customers will get the same tide scent they get at home, along with Tide spot-lifting treatments when necessary, he said. The dry cleaners will use Green Earth Cleaning, which is better for the environment and clothing, because it uses fewer chemicals than standard dry cleaning, which can break down fabric, Patel said.

Green Earth Cleaning says it is working to be sustainable by using the least amount of water and energy required to clean textiles, eliminating hazardous materials from textile cleaning and creating standards for sustainable fabric care.

For most items, the pick-up and drop off schedule will be in by 9 a.m. out by 5 p.m., Patel said. Special items or services may take longer. For those customers that cannot get back by 5 p.m., there is the option of calling in, letting the employees know what time you will be by to pick up and items will be left in a locker for pick-up later.

Customers who opt for the “Inner Circle” will be able to provide their information, keep payment information on file and never need to hand over cash or a card, instead they can just sign for their items, Patel said. In addition, customers will receive a Tide bag with a bar code. That code will tell the business who the items belong to. Customers who drop off over night, using a drop off bin, will have their items serviced and prepared for pick-up without needing to check in with an employee. Inner Circle members are also eligible for promotions, may receive free samples and coupons for services or products.

The dry cleaners will be open 7-days a week, will have a drive-up, and in addition to dry cleaning, will also offer special services, such as leather cleaning, alterations and fabric refreshing services including: Back-to-Black, Tide Restore for Whites and Tide restore for colors.

The business will employ about 15-20 people on site. In addition, the Tide Dry Cleaners will be working with local organizations including the Naperville Park District, Dress for Success, Little Friends and the American Cancer Society. He said they plan to partner with the school districts for fundraisers.

Patel said that all items laundered will have a 7-point inspection that will include making sure collars are properly pressed and buttons don’t leave dents. Also, there is no need for clothes pins because the dry cleaner uses a heat seal to secure clothing, without marring it.

“We are not the cheapest and not the most expensive, but we are the best quality,” he said. “If you spend $150 on a Burberry dress shirt, you want it to last.”

Tide Dry Cleaners is expected to open by the end of June and is located at 2940 Showplace Dr., Naperville. Phone: 630-203-6330. The store will be open 24-hours a day, 7-days a week, but an attendant will be on hand Monday-Friday 7 a.m. to 7 p.m., Saturday, 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. and Sunday, 10 a.m.  to 3 p.m.