John Jennings Jr. has been in the dry cleaning business a long time.
He was 15 when he started working at Rip’s Dry Cleaners on North Main Street.
That was 37 years ago.
“I never dreamed I’d spend the rest of my life as a dry cleaner,” he said.
“Eventually it felt like a comfortable niche after a while. And I kind of enjoyed it. Here I am,” Jennings said with a smile.
He’s done everything imaginable in the business from painting parking lot stripes to hanging up clothes, to running clothing routes.
His father, John Jennings, was a banker and happened to be friends with Rip’s original owner, Mr. VanWinkle. Everyone around town called him Rip. His father bought the business from Rip in the mid-1960′s.
Now Jennings has four stores in all, with Rip’s on North Main Street being the main store. With both his son and daughter working in the business and 20 employees, Jennings has a vested interest in making business run as well as possible.
As I mentioned in an earlier post there is a reconstruction project on Main Street. Initially Jennings was hesitant about how the Main Street reconstruction project would affect business.
(Video produced by: Leah Goodwyne and Briana O’Sullivan)
Main Street Reconstruction Project
With that project in full swing, Jennings has seen construction vehicles roar past his shop while barricades blocked the main entrance.
While the construction has made it more difficult for customers to reach his store, Jennings is glad people could still access the business from a side street.
Jennings said while first-time customers may have been deterred by the road closures, the regulars knew how to navigate the construction to reach Rip’s. He went on to say the constant road construction over the past few months has hurt business a bit.
But his loyal customers have remained just that, loyal.
Jennings believes Rip’s dedication to customer service that sets them apart.
And it’s the response from his regular customers that lets him know Rip’s is on the right track.
“We see big smiles, thank you’s when you put their clothes in the car and open their car doors for them. We’re in the service business,” he said.
Recently, the construction vehicles and barricades were removed from the stretch of Main Street in front of Rip’s. The construction is finished, at least in front of the dry cleaners. The project is moving farther down Main Street working on improvements to other parts of the road.
“I hope we are still here when it is all over.”
This story is very fun and motivational to hear and read about. I feel like I’m a part of Rip’s extended family now!