Eco-friendly Dry Cleaners Plans For Phase 1 Reopening

CROTON ON HUDSON, NY — As its name suggests, Eco-Friendly Dry Cleaners in Croton on Hudson offers biodegradable dry cleaning service, alterations, storage, and leather and fur cleaning.

Owner Amy Grogan told Patch she's planning to reopen her doors as soon as Gov. Andrew Cuomo allows the Hudson Valley to begin Phase One of New York's reopening plan. Gorgan said she primarily serves residents throughout Cortlandt Manor, Montrose, Buchanan, Peekskills, Verplank, and the surrounding areas.

Grogan said she is working to implement certain measure to keep herself and her customers safe and healthy, including installing Plexiglas barriers at her counter.

"A few changes are made to reopen such as [constructing a] sign reminding of social distancing, hand disinfecting liquid on the counter, and 6-feet distance lines drawn," she said. "Every time a customer comes in, we will spray and wipe down the counter and the doorknob."

Grogan said the reopening process will slow down some services. As a result, she won't be able to provide next-day services or rush services right away.

"In addition, we cannot tag clothes right away because this virus can live on surface for 4 to 8 hours," she said. "Wearing gloves may help. I just have to see."

The lengthy closure has had a negative impact on her business, Grogan said.

"We have lost prom, party and wedding season," she said. "People are working from home, some lost jobs, some passed away, therefore no clothes are needed professionally cleaned. This virus/closure has affected us tremendously that eventually... We will try to ride this situation out as long as we can, but everything is up in the air without any help, answer or definite solution."

For now, Grogan said she's staying strong and hoping for the best, just like all of New York's other small business owners.

"As Cuomo says, we are NY strong," she said. "We will prevail. I just hope soon."