Oxford area residents will soon have another dry cleaner, and this new business has a twist: ATM-style automated service which is available around the clock.
OXXO Care Cleaners, headquartered in Florida, announced it will be opening its newest location at 334 Center Rock Green in Oxford in early April in the Quarry Walk development.
Dennis Cardona, owner and operator of the new store, said it will have the first and only 24/7 ATM-style machine for dry cleaning in Connecticut. The business also offers more traditional walk-in service.
“Customers can pick up their clothing whenever it is convenient to their own schedule, not ours,” Cardona said.
Haynes Development’s Quarry Walk, on Oxford Road, is a mix of residential, retail and commercial space in the heart of Oxford. According to Quarry Walk’s website, OXXO Cleaners is just one of the businesses opening there this spring. Others include Better Beagle, Country Creamery, Griffin Health, Rad Art, Rydzik, Sitting Duck Tavern and Valley Orthopaedics.
The local OXXO doesn’t have a specific opening date yet, but Cardona expects to open by the first or second week of April.
According to Cardona, OXXO Cleaners is focused on being environmentally friendly. It has an eco-friendly GreenEarth silicone cleaning process, rather than using chemicals often used in the industry. OXXO also uses equipment designed to be harmless to clothing, he said.
Cardona, a long-time Oxford businessman, researched various companies when he decided to pursue his own franchise. OXXO’s environmental commitment, ATM-style convenience, and the open and modern style appealed to him. Cardona will continue to operate his local business, Window Treatments Unlimited, which installs blinds, shutters and draperies.
Cardona said he believes a dry-cleaning business will be a “perfect fit” for Quarry Walk’s shopping district.
“The location is wonderful and has so much to offer businesses because it will bring in a good amount of people,” he said. “There are going to be luxury condos, which will be great for a dry cleaning business.”
OXXO hopes to attract younger customers by being environmentally-friendly and convenient. The company lets customers order and track services via an app. Home pick-up and delivery are available, and the company is pursuing driver-tracking so customers know exactly when their clothes will be delivered.
In the New Haven region, several dry cleaners have closed in recent years. Owners have cited various reasons, including workers favoring more casual, wash-and-wear style clothing, and the telecommuting trend.
In spite of this, OXXO’s management indicated the national company is growing. CEO Salomon Mishaan said OXXO plans to continue to expand and add locations across the South and the Eastern seaboard.
Cardona said his business’ technology and around-the-clock availability will differentiate it from other dry cleaners.
“I think this is an idea that will thrive,” he said. “Customers won’t have to rush to get to us. I can’t wait to get the doors open to see how we are received by the community.”
Contact Michelle Tuccitto Sullo at msullo@newhavenbiz.com
