My Mrs. Claus suit and the Winzer Cleaner wrappings.
I’m proud of two things in particular in this photo: my custom-made Mrs. Claus suit and the wrapper from Winzer Cleaners.
My outfit is now three seasons old. It needed some mild tailoring on the skirt and petticoat. And the jacket had never been cleaned because I had no idea how to go about that. I spent too much money for a local cleaner to ruin it.
So I took it to Ernest Winzer Cleaners in Morris Heights, Bronx. Ten miles from Times Square, Winzer is the go-to cleaner for Broadway shows. In fact, this third-generation mom and pop won a Tony for Excellence in 2018. Read this great New York Post story about Winzers’ Tony.
Or watch this video of co-owners Bruce and Sarah Barish here and try not to cry. “We’re not a normal family,” the Bruce said in his Tony acceptance speech. “We don’t take vacations.”
When I arrived at Winzer, Sarah gave me a recommendation. She preferred my green petticoat to the reddish velvet skirt. Hmmm. I’m listening, Sarah.
I showed her where I wanted the skirts taken in. Two employees came forward asking questions and making efficient notes.
The huge room behind them was as alive as Santa’s workshop with workers ironing, stitching, and doing all sorts of things I don’t understand. In September, before Broadway opened, I saw all sorts of complicated garments hanging on conveyer belt lines.
My jacket would be expensive to clean because staff would either have to remove decorative buttons and appliques or clean the jacket by hand. I suggested they clean the jacket by hand and then to wait another three seasons before getting another cleaning.
Later that week, she called. My garment was done. When I entered the shop, I gasped when I saw a long, long flamenco costume that seemed to float in the air like a bride in a Chagall painting. Sarah motioned for me to come into the office. My suit hung on a hook by the windows.
“Merry Christmas!” exclaimed Bruce, whose desk was around a corner. I never saw his face but I correctly guessed that he was the grandson of Al, an earlier owner. As Sarah finalized my purchase, I examined all the autographed celebrity photos that hung in the office. Everyone from James Earl Jones to the New York City Ballet had had dealings with Winzer.
I was really, really impressed.
Here is what Bruce says on his LinkedIn profile page:
“My family has been dry cleaning for Broadway and the public since 1908. If it ran on Broadway, we dry cleaned it. Chances are if your family is from NYC, we dry cleaned for your family as well.”
Ever since I got my outfit back, I have been trying to get a Q & A interview with Bruce. I thought the New York City Santas would love to hear what he had to say. Plus, I’m super nosy. But Bruce and I keep missing each other on the phone. As this is the busiest time of year for him, my gift is me not calling him. Instead, I’ll just thank him and Sarah for taking such good care of my suit.
It’s not just any outfit, after all.
In a way, it’s the face I present to the world. So in taking care of my clothes, they took care of me.
Related Article: A Broadway Dresser Attacks Sweat, A Hot Topic for Santas of the North Pole