Hidden behind a nondescript door in a corner of the Brooklyn Navy Yard lies Kingbridge’s new, extensive cleaning facility, which commenced operations in January 2020. This facility is where a meticulous and labor-intensive process, considered essential for proper clothing cleaning by Mr. Aviles, takes place. He acquired the trade from his mother at the age of 5, and now oversees the decades-old family business in collaboration with her. The employees at the facility manually sort the dirty shirts by color and condition before subjecting them to either wet or dry cleaning, or hand-cleaning if necessary.
After the cleaning process, each garment undergoes an inspection to ensure it doesn’t require re-cleaning. Subsequently, the shirts are sent into a loud dryer, positioned next to large exhaust fans that expel the steam. In the event of a risk of shrinkage, the machine halts and opens its door to allow cooler air in. The collar and cuffs of each shirt are then ironed and pressed by a combination of machine and human effort, giving them a refreshing appearance. Additionally, workers utilize hand irons suspended from the ceiling to address any remaining creases before carefully packaging the shirts to retain their pristine condition.
However, this level of precision comes at a cost. When the pandemic forced most New Yorkers to stay indoors, Kingbridge Cleaners & Tailors experienced a drastic decline of 93 percent in its business almost overnight. As a result, Mr. Aviles went unpaid for around two years, and the company’s sales are still 15 percent lower than they were in 2019, with many office workers favoring sweatshirts over formal attire. Despite these challenges, Mr. Aviles strives to at least break even to maintain the business in the current landscape.
Embracing optimism, Mr. Aviles addresses customer complaints about stubborn stains by offering discounts or refunds, all while observing neighboring cleaners go out of business due to maintaining outdated prices. Nevertheless, he is cautious about raising prices significantly, with the cost of a laundered shirt now approximately 10 percent higher than before the pandemic. He believes in the value of maintaining a wardrobe and emphasizes the importance of keeping clothes well-kept, despite the current financial constraints.
Mr. Aviles nostalgically recalls a time when working New Yorkers would visit the cleaners weekly or even more frequently. He acknowledges the financial constraints but stresses the long-term benefits of properly maintaining one’s wardrobe, rather than opting for disposable fashion.
Produced by Eden Weingart, Andrew Hinderaker and Dagny Salas. Development by Gabriel Gianordoli and Aliza Aufrichtig.
