Dry cleaning business helps another after damage

By Ashley Luthans

A fire broke out at a local dry cleaning business this weekend, but due to hard work and help from a Kansas City store, it has been able to remain open.

Owner of East Hills Cleaners Tonya McCrea said that she was notified around 12:30 a.m. on Saturday morning that there was a fire within the location at 3611 Faraon St.

The store opened later that morning in order to inform customers about what happened.

By 3 p.m. on Saturday, all clothes were out of the East Hills Cleaners location and were headed to Pride Cleaners in Kansas City. Pride Cleaners graciously helped East Hills Cleaners to get all clothes dry-cleaned and returned.

“We have good relationships with people in the industry and were able to partner with Pride Cleaners in Kansas City,” McCrea said. “So, we have vans on the road throughout the day traveling to Kansas City to meet the needs of our customers.”

On Monday, East Hills Cleaners was able to find a location four doors down that they would be able to rent for business.

McCrea said that she expects business to be “completely back to normal” within the week.

“But all is well, we’re doing well,” McCrea said. “I have an amazing staff, the community has been very supportive. The fire department was great, they contained it quickly.”

McCrea shared her gratitude for the everyone’s help.

“You know, and small businesses that have been involved with us that we are doing business with now because of this have been absolutely amazing,” McCrea said. “We just have a great community. I cannot say enough about the community and that’s what’s keeping me going. And the relationships that I have and those involved helping me get things back to normal.”

It is unknown what caused the fire. There is an active investigation to determine what happened.