This Day in Norwood History-April 26, 1947-Norwood Laundry Installing Dry Cleaning Department

The Norwood Laundry Co., 884 Washington Street, Norwood, owned by John E. and George J Nixon, is the scene of a great deal of added activity these days, with a complete dry cleaning plant, utilizing all the latest equipment, currently being installed by Ralph A. Nixon, who has been in the dry cleaning business for many years, will be manager of the dry cleaning division. A Navy veteran, he recently completed o course at the National Institute of Cleaners and Dyers at Silver Springs, Md.. where he rounded out his practical knowledge with theory and information on the latest dry cleaning methods.

Another change at the Norwood Laundry was made in the cash and carry department, where customers may enjoy completely renovated, pleasant, modern surroundings, complete with walls of knotty pine.

Speaking of cash and carry, the Norwood Laundry currently offers 3-day service on cash and carry laundry and dry cleaning. When the new department is completed you’ll be able to get 3-hour dry cleaning service, John Nixon stated.

The Norwood Laundry also offers complete fur service bonded storage in fireproof and theftproof vaults — and your precious furs are covered by insurance, too, of course.

“Because of the scarcity of labor and the difficulty we have getting supplies.” John E. said this, week “we’re not able to give as good service as we desire. However, we’re speeding up the service as we can . . . without sacrificing quality of work performed and care in handling our customers’ garments.”

In the laundry department, the Norwood Laundry features the ‘all-press’ bundle, in which all ‘wearing apparel is pressed, the “bachelor service” in which buttons are sewed on and a flatwork bundle in which all linens, sheets, etc., are carefully ironed.

The Norwood Laundry Co., has regular routes in Norwood Walpole, Canton, Westwood, Hingham, Sharon, Milton and the Needham route has been recently re-opened after a shutdown during the war.

Cash-and-carry service is very popular with the Norwood Laundry’s customers… there’s a 10% discount on this . . certainly a worthwhile saving.

Collars are starched by hand, end each shirt is hand finished . . . the Norwood Laundry also does curtains, fancy tablecloths, and similar delicate nieces, all of which are done by hand. All clothes, incidentally, are carefully marked as an assurance that you’ll get all your laundry back intact.

The Norwood Laundry has a water-softening device, winch does exactly what its name implies.

And besides this, no harsh chemicals are used in the washing process. Blueing is added to the washing formula; thus giving white articles a distinctive white hue, and on colored pieces, this blueing process seems, to rejuvenate the colors.

George, who has three children, and Tom, who has two, both like Norwood very much and plan to move here as soon as they can. John is n veteran of the Navy spent 17 months overseas, went through the Iwo Jima and Okinawa campaigns.

(All articles were originally published in the Norwood Messenger unless otherwise noted)