Arrow Blog - Arrow Fabricare

Are you allergic to the down in your bedding or could it be something else?

2/13/2015

Arrow Fabricare

Down is a wonderful luxury many people adore. There is nothing dreamier than down but for people with allergies, it may feel like a nightmare. The sneezing, the runny nose and the scratchy throat. Many people with allergies shy away from down bedding thinking that they are allergic to the down and feathers, but that may not be the case.

While it is possible to be allergic to goose and duck feathers, most often the allergy is caused by something else. The runny noses and itchy eyes caused by down bedding are due to dust mites and dust. Who would have ever known?

So what can you do to help reduce dust mite and dust allergens in down bedding on top of bringing it to Arrow to be cleaned? Choose a brand that is made in the USA or Europe. These companies have higher standards for how there down is cleaned. You can add a barrier fabric. It can help keep feathers in and allergens out. You may also add an allergy proof cover.

Remember that Arrow Down comforters are cleaned using a special, natural process, which preserves the life of delicate goose down.

Sources:

· Goosedownreviews.com
· Dewoolfsondown.com

How Do We Maintain The Quality of Our Professional Shirt Laundry?

1/30/2015

At Arrow we have founded our business on superior quality and integrity. For a little over 100 years, we have continued to carry that message into every facet of our business including our Professional Shirt Laundry. Every shirt and blouse must pass the final inspector’s question: “ Would I be proud to wear this garment?”

In order to maintain that level of professionalism and consistency, Arrow believes in continual training and education. Throughout the year, Arrow brings in Liz Davies, a dry cleaning consultant, to help us with continuous process improvement on our shirt units, and re-training our shirt pressers. When Liz comes in, she works one on one with employees to improve production, technique and quality. We are always happy to see Liz come in the facility. She has an honest, hardworking approach. She comes in and asks questions to employees such as “What is going to make you more successful in doing your job?” and “What can we do to help you?” Our employees are extremely receptive. They open up and find ways to improve on their already exceptional skills. Liz has become such a valuable part of our continued education. To learn more on Liz Davis http://www.natclo.com/1401/profile.htm

Should I Store My Clothing in the Plastic Dry Cleaning Bag?

1/27/2015

We get this question all the time and the answer is ABSOLUTELY NOT!

Plastic Bags are placed over your clothes to protect them from the elements when they are being transferred from our facility to your home. Once they arrive at your home, they should be removed from the plastic bag then stored. I know this may sound crazy but clothes need to breathe and they cannot breathe in a plastic bag. The plastic bags can also cause oxidation which leads to discoloration of the clothes. The damp environment in the bag will be a breeding ground for moths, which will eat through your clothes. Most of us have special outfits that we only wear once in awhile, such as formals. If you’d like extra protection for these specialty items, you can place your items in a cloth garment bag. Arrow sells garment bags in our store and on our website. http://www.arrowcare.com/store/p10/BREATHABLE_GARMENT_BAG_39%22.html

Sources:

Arrow Fabricare Honored at Kansas City City Hall

1/2/2015

Arrow was very honored on December 18th to stand alongside Mayor Sly James when a resolution was entered and adopted at Kansas City City Hall and presented to Arrow Fabricare Services honoring Arrow on it's 100th Anniversary. Councilman Jim Glover and Councilwoman Jan Marcason sponsored the resolution. Click link to view http://kansascity.granicus.com/MediaPlayer.php…

from left: Bruce Gershon, Mayor Sly James, Stephanie Gershon and Susie Shatz

What does Arrow’s 100th Anniversary mean to me?

12/31/2014

The 100th anniversary of Arrow means a great deal to me. It is a time of reflection, and a source of great pride in what we have accomplished. I have heard all kinds of statistics about how few companies survive the third generation of family ownership, let alone make it to 100 years. I owe my father a great deal of thanks for giving me an opportunity, and for believing in me. Not long after I joined the business 40 years ago, I remember he said to me, “Don’t say you work for your Dad, but rather say you’re in business with me.” That set me on a path of understanding the feeling of ownership, and whether by happenstance or his plan, he let me do so many things that I felt were necessary to grow the business.

Approximately fourteen years after I joined the business, we executed a stock redemption plan in which I was able to purchase the stock in the company from my Mom and Dad with “sweat equity”. Even though Dad took his social security and a lesser role in the company, he never had any intentions of totally retiring, so over 26 years later he still comes in a few hours each day, keeping his hand in, and he plays an important role in mentoring my sister Susie, the leather department employees, and talking to his many customers and friends on the phone.

Our 100th anniversary means 40 years for me of an incredible education in business as an entrepreneur. It means I have basically grown up in the business, and worn every hat possible that one could wear, from route driver and sales, to fur cleaner, hat blocker, dry cleaner/spotter, leather cleaner, sprayer, fire restoration
sales, pack out, and project manager, just to name a few. I have had a chance to learn every aspect of the business, and steer the company in the direction of diversification that has served us well. That foundation of learning and doing most every job in the business was fostered in me by my Father, and gave me an understanding of hard work, and what it took to be successful.

Above all else it means that over the last 40 years I have come into contact with so many people it would be impossible to count. I have been so lucky to know so many customers, employees, and colleagues that have truly enriched my life. Countless relationships from which I have learned so much; a lifelong relationship of being in business with my family, although bumpy at times, always cherished. It means that I have not only had the
opportunity to work with my wife Stephanie for over 26 years, but have had the love and support of her and my children Brad and Lauren through all of the really tough growth years, when I needed that support system to keep my sanity. I am also lucky to have had my sister Susie join the business 6 years ago, and now enjoy an even stronger bond with her. I have had the great pleasure of getting to know so many customers over the years from all over the country, as well as here in Kansas City, and some of them have become great friends. We have also benefited greatly from being a member of two unbelievable industry groups, made up of colleagues in the leather specialty business, and the textile restoration business that we could measure our company against,
and some of these business owners have been like my board of directors. One man in particular that I have been so fortunate to have known and learned from was Mr. Sid Tuchman, one of the great mentors in my life.

Finally, none of these 100 years of longevity would have been possible without the wonderful employees that enable us to carry out the plans, do the work, and serve our customers. So this 100th Anniversary is very much about our employees, past and present, who have worked the long hours in sometimes difficult conditions,
and have believed in our mission of being the best at everything we do. And so that is why we say…

“With every garment, every customer, and
every employee, Arrow cares”.

Bruce Gershon
President & CEO

What a Wonderful Note from a Loyal Customer.

8/29/2014

This week we received the below note and a copy of KC Magazine from a loyal Arrow customer congratulating us on receiving Top KC Companies - Phonenix Award from KC Business magazine. We are so grateful for the message and the loyalty to Arrow!

Hi Gershons,

WHAT A GREAT ARTICLE!

It makes us glad that we have been "Arrow " customers for over 30 years. Congratulations and best wishes for continued success.

We thought you might like an extra copy.

Sincerely,

Linda and Bob

Arrow Fabricare receives KC Business Top Company Phoenix Award

7/24/2014

Arrow was very honored to receive the Top Companies of Kansas City “Phoenix award” from KC Business last night. It was a wonderful event. Thanks to all who have supported Arrow. We are so privileged to be celebrating 100 years!

To view article please visit http://www.thisiskc.com/2014/04/kansas-city-top-companies-2014-arrow-fabricare-services/

An especially nice testimonial received this week

3/7/2014

Dear Arrow Team,
I just wanted to tell you how pleased I was with the job you did on my leather Remy Lite jacket. I have had that jacket for 10 plus years. It was absolutely my favorite jacket. And it was a mess. It needed a new liner, pockets, cuff replacement, etc. I was ready to throw it out. I actually went and bought a new Remy to replace my old one. In the course of the transaction I became aware of your company by one of the sales staff.

On a lark I called your staff figuring maybe you can make it wearable and I can use it while I paint the house or something (LOL). I am so glad to have found you. My jacket came back looking fantastic. It was an amazing transformation. Bob, thank you for calling me and telling me about some of the things I had missed that needed attention and then getting them fixed. I am so appreciative.
My experience with your company, Arrow Fabricare, was great. My expectations we exceeded. Many thanks to all involved. I am a fan and will be sending more things in the near future. I am also telling all my friends.

You know I can count on one hand the number of letters like this I have written in my life. It is not a very common occurrence for me. So if there was ever a case where a “well done” was deserved this was it. I am so happy!!!!

Best,
Peter C., New York, New York Posted by Another point of view!

Reprinting a Facebook post from a very happy customer

3/3/2014

This story and photographs are from an Arrow customer who was hoping for a miracle

PRAYERS ASKED!

"I need your prayers this week. For what? The weirdest thing you can imagine.

"I took my family heirloom 1920s? full length Bear Skin Coat and Mittens (yes mittens) to Arrow Cleaners today for cleaning and a little preservation. This awesome and unique item hung in my parents attic closet for decades, then about 10 years ago my parents asked us kids if there was anything we wanted in the house. I said, "Yes, the bearskin coat." Everyone simultaneously went, "The what?"

"As the story goes, the bear was shot on my great grandfather's farm in central KS and they made a coat, and mittens, out of it. I was pretty skeptical about that story, but the label inside says "Three Rivers Robe Tannery". According to old ads on the internet, they actually specialized in having people send in hides to be made into robes and coats. Hmmm.

"So Arrow is not sure what will happen to this coat when cleaned, and I know if anyone can clean it they can, but it might be just too dry and get more damaged.

"So pray for my Bear Skin Coat and Mittens to come back glistening and beautiful, and not in bits that I have to make a bearskin pillow out of.

Thanks.

Bob S. - Kansas City

PRAYERS ANSWERED!

So, my post above was a few weeks ago and we picked up my Bear Skin Coat and Mittens today. Arrow, you are amazing. I would have never thought this coat could actually go from 50 years in my parents attic, to actually luxurious. You are miracle workers and I am sure you spent more time on this than you charged me for.
You have made this family "novelty" truly a family "heirloom.
Thank you so much. Bob S. - Kansas City

Note from Arrow: "Bob you look absolutely marvelous in your newly restored bearskin coat & mittens! Thank you for trusting us with this very precious family heirloom, and thank you for your kind words about Arrow! We are so happy that you were pleased with our work, Warmest regards.

Wanna a good laugh or two or three?

12/20/2013

When Regis Philbin's wife, Joy, stained her expensive leather jacket on their nationally broadcast show, they sent it to Arrow. Here are some very funny clips from the show in which the event is discussed, both on Philbin's show and on KCTV5, which covered the story locally. The jacket was saved, of course!!!... thanks to Arrow. Watch and chuckle!