Dry cleaning industry calling on government help as future remains uncertain
The dry cleaning industry is calling on the government for help as its future remains uncertain.
On Thursday, the Canadian Fabricare Association (CFA) said over 30 per cent of cleaners had vanished.
"The dry cleaning industry was designated as an essential service and received no financial help from either the provincial or federal government," wrote the CFA in a statement.
The Association is now calling on politicians to consider a tax credit to customers who use a commercial cleaner or launderer to help stimulate the economy.
"We're looking for that incentive from the government to help them out to help the cleaners out," said David Alonzi, a CFA board member and president of GreenClean.
Kim Sekleski-Polley has owned Cotty's Cleaners in Barrie for two decades.
Over that time, she has seen industry shifts but never to the extent during the pandemic.
"Business today is very different than pre-pandemic," said Sekleski-Polley.
Over the last two years, business has slowed due to the cancellation of large gatherings like weddings and funerals.
Now that the restrictions are gone, she says business isn't showing signs of bouncing back.
"We're going to be in trouble; not sure trouble, but we're going to become a niche, high-end market where people are going to come to us for very specific things," said Sekleski-Polley.
Evolving fashion is one reason for the shift in business.
According to industry experts at Georgian College and George Brown College, fashion has taken a more comfortable approach.
"A good friend of mine who owns a high-end fashion boutique in Toronto had to completely change her buying strategies during the pandemic, forgoing woven pieces for elevated knits that her clients could wear for their virtual meetings," said Joy Walker, a professor at George Brown College School of Fashion Studies.
Georgian College professor Angela Aujla has studied fashion and its trends for many years, and says clothing can bring a sense of security. With many people forced to work from home, fashion changed with it.
"We get a sense of comfort and security through the clothing that we choose," said Aujla.
"Even pre-pandemic, there was a move, especially in women's clothes, towards softer fabrics, more casual wear, with the burgeoning Athleisure market, but during the pandemic, loungewear or home wear definitely took off."
This shift means fewer garments requiring dry cleaning.
Although good news could be on the horizon for dry cleaners. Both Walker and Aujla believe this winter could see a resurgence in formal clothing due to a restriction-free holiday season, which could extend past Christmas.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Poilievre will do 'anything to win,' must condemn Alex Jones endorsement: Trudeau
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau is ramping up his attacks on Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre as he promotes his government's federal budget.
'My stomach dropped': Winnipeg man speaks out after being criminally harassed following single online date
A Winnipeg man said a single date gone wrong led to years of criminal harassment, false arrests, stress and depression.
Ukraine uses long-range missiles secretly provided by U.S. to hit Russian-held areas, officials say
Ukraine for the first time has begun using long-range ballistic missiles provided secretly by the United States, bombing a Russian military airfield in Crimea last week and Russian forces in another occupied area overnight, American officials said Wednesday.
New evidence challenges the Pentagon's account of a horrific attack as the U.S. withdrew from Afghanistan: CNN exclusive
New video evidence uncovered by CNN significantly undermines two Pentagon investigations into an ISIS-K suicide attack outside Kabul airport, during the American withdrawal from Afghanistan in 2021.
'One of the single most terrifying things ever': Ontario couple among passengers on sinking tour boat in Dominican Republic
A Toronto couple are speaking out about their 'extremely dangerous' experience on board a sinking tour boat in the Dominican Republic last week.
All Alberta wildfires to date in 2024 believed to be human-caused: province
There are 63 wildfires burning in Alberta's forest protection area as of Wednesday morning and seven mutual aid fires, including one in the Municipal District of Peace.
7 surveillance videos linked to extortions of South Asian home builders in Edmonton released
The Edmonton Police Service has released a number of surveillance videos related to a series of extortion cases in the city now dubbed 'Project Gaslight.'
Suspects waving weapons, smashing glass in Toronto jewelry store robbery caught on video
Arrests have been made after five men were captured on video rampaging through a jewelry store in Toronto, waving weapons and smashing glass display cases.
Pilot proposes to flight attendant girlfriend in front of passengers
A Polish pilot proposed to his flight attendant girlfriend during a flight from Warsaw to Krakow, and she said yes.