The blue ribbon was cut for Royalty King Cleaners, a dry-cleaning service in the Cherry Creek shopping center in Homewood, on Wednesday, April 19. The ribbon cutting marked the changing of ownership to Wileena Joseph.
Royalty King Cleaners is offering free suits to anyone who comes in and asks for one. In the back, there are rows of dozens of suit jackets, trousers, and waistcoats. Joseph said anyone can come to Royalty King Cleaners, pick out a suit and take it home.
“The suits go to anyone that’s in need of a suit – anyone that’s going to prom, graduation, Father’s Day, any special occasion. It’s suits that we’re giving away for free,” Joseph said.
Royalty King Cleaners has another location in Munster, Indiana. Joseph said that the Munster location has hundreds of other available suits, adding that suits can be transferred between locations if necessary.
According to Joseph, the suits were donated by Rucker Academy, a nonprofit organization in Chicago.
Rucker Academy describes their mission as “to strengthen families and build stronger communities, by ensuring access to equal opportunities and providing essential programs and services.”
“I’m thankful that we are officially open. I’m thankful that I’m put in a position where I can help people within a community – not just the Homewood community but in the community surrounding Homewood,” Joseph said.
“We’re excited for our new small business owners,” said Homewood village manager Napoleon Haney after helping cut Royalty King Cleaners’ blue ribbon. “It just shows the vibrancy and vitality of Homewood – that we’re still progressing in difficult and challenging economic times.”
Royalty King Cleaners is at 18330 Governors Highway, the previous location of Pride Cleaners.