Islington based business, Pride Dry Cleaning has recently taken on new owners, after 12 years under the management of Jennie and (the late) Phil Lyons.
The Islington location has been a dry cleaner since 1942. In 2011 Phil and Jennie started the renovation of their business, updating systems and adapting the store and its machinery.
The factory is now completely ability-adapted, it also has the honour of being the first registered NDIS dry cleaning and laundry provider in the Hunter Region. Sadly a few years later, Phil passed away, but Pride Dry Cleaning remained committed to ensuring people of all ability have equal access to care and quality services.
This is a philosophy that new owners David and Cathy Marshall will continue to uphold through their purchase of the business.
Cathy Marshall applied for a job at Pride Dry Cleaning eighteen months ago, in the middle of the first lockdown. She was in awe of the business, the values that it upheld, and the incredible community that supports and is Pride Dry Cleaning.
“I said to one of the girls that worked there, jokingly, if Jennie ever sells this place, I’m going to buy it,” Cathy Marshall explained. Almost a year and a half later, after battling health issues for some time, Jennie made the tough decision to sell the business to focus on herself and her health.
Selling the business is an emotional process for Jennie, but something she says is necessary, “For the business to evolve, I have to step down as I physically cannot run it and it will be wonderful to see the new direction it will take” she said.”
“Pride Dry Cleaning is my baby, and it’s difficult to hand my baby over. But I want it to succeed and to move forward. I have full faith in Cathy and David in continuing the legacy and doing what’s best for Pride Dry Cleaning.”
Pride Dry Cleaning is known in the community for the amazing work they do for people living with disabilities as a NDIS provider. This is a core principle for the new owners, who plan to continue on as registered NDIS providers.
“We have no plans to change anything about the store. That includes its values, the customers, and how Jennie setup things,” Cathy explains.
With her spare time now, Jennie plans to relax, travel Australia in her new motorhome, and pick up less physical part-time work wherever she can.
IMAGE | New owners, Cathy and David Marshall.
