PITTSTON — The last thing Matthew Christman wanted to see was his mom unemployed.
After working for four years at Dempsey’s Dry Cleaners on Main Street, his mom Renee Christman was about to be without a job because the business was closing.
Now, Renee has a new boss — her son.
Renee and 22-year-old Matthew, both of West Pittston, purchased the business and recently opened Pittston Dry Cleaners at 16 S. Main St.
Renee runs the day-to-day operations while Matthew, the owner, attends school. Matthew is studying culinary arts at Luzerne County Community College.
“He just didn’t want to see me unemployed,” Renee said. “We never knew what we could do until we tried, and we’re out here trying.”
Dempsey’s first opened in 2012. When the business went up for sale, it was Matthew’s idea to purchase and re-brand it as Pittston Dry Cleaners.
The Dempsey family owns several dry cleaning locations in the Scranton area.
“I’m from Pittston and grew up in Pittston,” Renee said. “I want to stay in Pittston. This is my town and I’m really hoping for the community support because I love it here.”
The business offers many of the same services found at any other dry cleaning service. However, customers can now drop off laundry, get it washed, and pick it up folded for $1.80 per pound. Renee said one customer is a single father of two boys who utilizes the service as much as he can.
She said he brings the clothes in three separate bags, one for each of them, and picks them up folded. The service is mostly reserved for T-shirts, pajamas, socks and underwear.
“It works perfect for him,” Renee said. “He said he goes home and gives each kid their bag, they put (the clothes) away, and they go out to play football.”
Taking a chance
Renee said she gave a lot of thought as to purchasing the business or not. Matthew, who was born at just 22 weeks, has vision issues in both of his eyes. He has partially torn retinas in both eyes and was diagnosed with Retinopathy of Prematurity (ROP).
Matthew was profiled in the Sunday Dispatch “Back in the Spotlight” feature Jan. 10.
While his mother fears his vision will possibly get worse through the years, she thought this would be a great time to take a chance and “go for it.” Renee said the camaraderie between the downtown businesses can’t be matched anywhere else.
“The reception has been wonderful,” she said. “Hopefully more realize we are the hometown dry cleaners.”
The business also does alterations, cleans UGG boots, and preserves wedding gowns.The Christmans also offer services to leathers, suedes, furs, handbags and totes, area rugs, feather pillows and bedding, along with shoes and slippers.
And over the next few months, the Christmans plan to offer a shoe-shining station at the business.
While the sign above the business still reads Dempsey’s, Pittston Dry Cleaners is open from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. Monday through Friday and from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Saturday. Learn more about Pittston Dry Cleaners on Facebook at Pittston Dry Cleaners.
