Southwest News

R. R. Street & Co., Inc., will be sponsoring two stain removals seminars this summer taught by Kenney Slatten, also known throughout the industry as the “Cowboy Cleaner.”

Slatten, who has accrued over three decades of experience in the field of drycleaning, is a board member of the Western States Drycleaners & Launderers Association and is past president of the San Diego Dry Cleaners Association.

The first seminar is scheduled for Saturday, June 15 in Abilene, TX, and will be hosted by the West Texas Dry cleaners Association.

Slatten will offer a hands-on class with several live demonstrations of many different stain removal techniques. For more information, contact Mike Latimer at (915) 677-8669.

On Saturday, July 13 in Oklahoma City, OK, Slatten will speak on the same subject at a seminar hosted by the R&R Supply Company.

He will discuss both beginning and advanced drycleaning fundamentals at the Saddleback Inn from 9 a.m. until 1 p.m.

All chemical and stain removal procedures will be demonstrated on Street’s portable spotting board. Students will be given books and stained swatches to work on. Lunch will be provided. Students are also encouraged to bring along some of their own problem garments for class discussion.

To reserve tickets or find out more information about the seminar in Oklahoma City, contact Kenney Slatten by calling (800) 429-3990, or R&R Supply Company at (800) 654-4117.

Active in the Houston drycleaning industry since 1965, Craig’s Cleaners recently opened its 12th store at 1900 South Shepherd at San Felipe.

Co-owned by brothers Harry and Bob Craig, the business has grown for almost four decades and now includes free pickup and delivery for 11 different routes that service a total of 25 zip codes.

“With locations in downtown and southwest Houston, the Shepherd at San Felipe store fits perfectly into our overall plans of expansion,” Bob Craig said. “Like most of our stores, it features a weather-protected drive-through lane so our customers can be served while in their cars.”

Craig’s Cleaners originally pioneered in-car drycleaning service in the Houston area and has since been recognized as one of the city’s largest family-owned businesses with more than 175 employees overall. The company plans to grow even more by adding a 13th location on Memorial Drive east of Wescott in the near future.

“The Memorial Park neighborhood has become a ‘hot’ residential development site,” noted Bob Craig. “We feel like we will be a valuable resource for those homeowners.”

Craig’s Cleaners belong to the Better Business Bureau, the Houston Dry Cleaners and Laundry Association, the Southwest Drycleaners Association and Varsity International. The company is also active in its local community with an annual “Teddy Bears for Kids” campaign and “Trees for Houston”. Craig’s web site is www.craigscleaners.com.