Islington has bid an emotional farewell to stalwart businesswoman, Jennie Lyons, who has passed the baton onto new owners after running Pride Dry Cleaning for 12 years.
After purchasing the business in 2010, Jennie and her late husband, Phil Lyons, became pioneers in the laundry industry by becoming the first registered NDIS laundry provider in the Hunter Region.
Since then, the small business has earned a reputation in the community for the important work it does in ensuring people of all abilities have equal access to care and quality services.
While the Islington location has been a dry cleaning business since 1942, the Lyons’ committed to ensuring Pride Dry Cleaning became an inclusive service location by installing a completely ability-adapted factory.
This is a philosophy that new owners, David and Cathy Marshall, have promised to uphold through their purchase of the business.
“We have no plans to change anything about the store … that includes its values, the customers and how Jennie set up things,” Cathy said.
Cathy applied for a job at Pride Dry Cleaning eighteen months ago, and after witnessing first-hand the inclusive values of the small business, voiced interest in one day managing the business.
“I said to one of the girls that worked there, jokingly, that if Jennie ever sells this place, I’m going to buy it,” Cathy said.
Almost a year and a half later, Jennie, who had been battling health issues, made the tough decision to sell the business to focus on herself and her health.
While an emotional decision for Jennie, it was something she said was necessary.
“For the business to evolve, I have to step down as I physically cannot run it,” Jennie said.
“Pride Dry Cleaning is my baby, and it’s difficult to hand it over … but I want it to succeed and to move forward.”
Jennie revealed that after they bought Pride Dry Cleaning in 2010, the couple embarked on the lengthy process of renovating the business, updating systems and adapting the store to become completely ability-adapted.
The couple never anticipated what was to come a few years later, when Phil was diagnosed with cancer and treatment in 2014 left him in a wheelchair for life.
Unfortunately, Phil passed away not long after, but his commitment to ensuring those with disabilities had equal access to quality services remained an integral part of Pride Dry Cleaning.
With her spare time now, Jennie plans to relax, travel Australia in her new motorhome and pick up part-time work when she returns.
“I have full faith in Cathy and David in continuing the legacy and doing what’s best for Pride Dry Cleaning,” Jennie said.
“It will be wonderful to see the new direction it will take.”
Maia O’Connor