How Smart Insurance Keeps a Local Dry-Cleaning Giant Running Strong?

Small businesses form the foundation of every neighborhood. Protecting them goes beyond policies; it is fundamentally about people. We spoke with Calvin Jiang, the owner of Happy Cleaners, a successful dry cleaning company in Brooklyn. With three thriving locations and a modern headquarters in Carroll Gardens, Calvin's story reflects the heart of local entrepreneurship.

For more than 20 years, Calvin has helped Brooklyn residents eliminate the tedious chore of laundry. This allows them to focus on their families, careers, and overall well-being. But behind the clean clothes and friendly service is a business that faces unique insurance challenges every day.

Meet Happy Cleaners: A Brooklyn Community Champion

Happy Cleaners isn’t just another dry cleaner.

• Three locations across Brooklyn make it easy for residents to drop off laundry and dry cleaning.

• Their headquarters in Carroll Gardens spans 15,000 square feet. It is one of the largest and most advanced dry cleaning factories in the borough. They clean all garments on-site using cutting-edge technology.

• Local hiring & skill training create job opportunities for Brooklyn residents, ensuring that the business supports the community it serves.

• Happy Cleaners has a long history of supporting local nonprofits and neighborhood events. This shows that they give back as much as they receive.

We spoke with Calvin Jiang about the hidden risks of managing a dry cleaning business. He shared how the right insurance strategy helps keep Happy Cleaners operating smoothly.

Blue Rock: Calvin, what makes Happy Cleaners unique in the Brooklyn market?

Calvin: We’ve built more than a business—we’ve built a community. Our customers trust us to take a daily chore off their plate, so they can spend time on what really matters. Our Carroll Gardens facility is 15,000 square feet of advanced machinery. Everything is cleaned on-site, which keeps quality high and turnaround fast. But with this scale comes responsibility.”

Blue Rock: What are some of your biggest concerns when it comes to business risks?

Calvin: Our operations rely heavily on technology and machinery. If a key piece of equipment breaks down, it’s not just a headache—it’s a major financial hit. We can’t afford long downtime. We also handle thousands of customer garments every week, so liability is always on our mind. A single accident, a lost item, or even a power outage can create a ripple effect.

Blue Rock: That’s a big concern. An Equipment Breakdown Insurance policy could help cover repair or replacement costs if a machine unexpectedly fails. It can also help with lost income while the equipment is being fixed.

Calvin: That would be a relief. We try to maintain everything carefully, but accidents happen.

Blue Rock: You have quite a team. How many employees work across your locations?

Calvin: About 20, including our drivers. They handle chemicals, heavy machines, and drive around Brooklyn every day. Safety is huge for us, but there’s always a chance of chemical burns, slips, or delivery accidents.

Blue Rock: For a team of that size, Workers’ Compensation Insurance is crucial. It covers medical bills and lost wages if someone is injured on the job. Additionally, since you employ delivery drivers, Commercial Auto Insurance is vital. This insurance protects your vehicles and drivers in the event of an accident.

Calvin: That makes sense. We definitely want our employees to feel protected.

Blue Rock: Dry cleaners handle a lot of valuable garments. What happens if something gets damaged or misplaced?

Calvin: We do everything we can to avoid it, but sometimes a piece might get lost or accidentally damaged. It’s stressful for both us and the customer.

Blue Rock: That’s exactly why Bailee’s Customer Goods Coverage exists. It protects items while they’re in your care, covering things like accidental damage or theft.

Calvin: That sounds perfect. It would give customers peace of mind, too.

Blue Rock: Do you ever have issues with payments, like credit card disputes?

Calvin: Yes, now and then. A customer might dispute a charge, and it creates a lot of back-and-forth.

Blue Rock: While no policy can eliminate chargebacks, Cyber Liability Insurance can protect against fraud and data breaches. This coverage is increasingly vital as more payments occur online.

Calvin: Good to know. We definitely rely on digital payments more than ever.

Blue Rock: Your Carroll Gardens facility is the heart of Happy Cleaners. What would happen if a fire, flood, or power outage forced you to close for a while?

Calvin: That would be a nightmare. All our stores depend on that location.

Blue Rock: That’s where Business Interruption Insurance comes in. It can replace lost income and help cover operating expenses if you have to temporarily shut down.

Calvin: That kind of backup would really help us stay afloat during something unexpected.

Blue Rock: Calvin, what advice would you give other small business owners about insurance?

Calvin: Don’t wait until something breaks or someone gets hurt. The right insurance is more than just a safety net. It allows you to focus on running your business and serving the community without constant worry.

Key Insurance Challenges for Dry Cleaners Like Happy Cleaners

Happy Cleaners’ story highlights several critical insurance needs for any large-scale cleaning operation:

• Equipment Breakdown Coverage

  • Modern dry cleaning requires expensive machines, boilers, and pressing equipment.

  • If a machine breaks down, repairs and lost production can cost thousands.

  • Equipment breakdown insurance covers repairs and even lost income during downtime.

• Business Interruption Insurance

  • A fire, flood, or utility outage could temporarily close operations.

  • This coverage replaces lost income so employees can still get paid, and bills stay covered.

• General Liability Insurance

  • Protects against accidents in the store or factory, such as customer injuries or property damage.

• Bailee’s Customer Goods Coverage

  • Covers customer clothing while in Happy Cleaners’ care, in case of fire, theft, or damage.

• Commercial Property Insurance

  • Safeguards the 15,000 sq. ft. headquarters, machinery, computers, and inventory.

Lessons for Other Small Businesses

Calvin’s experience shows that insurance is not just a legal requirement—it’s a survival tool.

• Investing in equipment breakdown coverage is critical when machinery drives your business.

• Business interruption protection ensures your employees and customers are not left stranded after an unexpected shutdown.

• Policies like Bailee’s coverage are essential when handling customer property.

Key Takeaway

Operating a dry-cleaning business in New York City involves daily risks. These risks range from exposure to chemicals to disputes over credit card transactions. With a strong insurance strategy, Happy Cleaners can continue to serve families in Brooklyn. This approach will protect employees, customers, and the business itself.