Quincy dry cleaners offering free service to anyone unemployed, going on job interview

QUINCY, Mass. — Billings Cleaners in North Quincy is open for business.

“This is unprecedented. You know we’ve never seen anything like this. The first three months I thought we weren’t going to make it. But we’re doing alright, I can’t complain,” said owner Costa Blathras.

Blathras' father started Billings Cleaners in 1978 and it’s been in the family ever since.

Blathras said they don’t have as many customers coming in as they did before the COVID-19 pandemic and those who are coming in are bringing fewer items to get dry cleaned.

Business is down by as much as 50 percent, but the doors never closed.

“We had some support from my longtime customers. They’re like friends and a few of them came in and paid upfront and said just put it on my tab just to give us some money,” Blathras said.

Now that business is slowly improving, Blathras wants to pay it forward and give back. He posted a message on a Quincy Facebook page offering free dry cleaning services to anyone who is unemployed and looking for a job.

“They are like this is wonderful thank you. I will bring more stuff in when I get my job. They’re appreciative. You know 20 bucks, 30 bucks in this time it’s something for everybody so if they can look good for their interview and get the job it’s a good thing,” he said.

A few customers have already taken Blathras up on his generous act of kindness.

He says the door is always open and if he can help more people get back on their feet it’s money well spent.

The offer stands for anyone who is unemployed and needs an outfit dry cleaned for a job interview.

You don’t need to be an existing customer. Blathras said you don’t even need to come back for further business.

Cox Media Group