Andy Ross Photo
Back in the 1950s, when Michael D’Avino was just 16 years old and a student at West Haven High School, he got a part time job at Green’s Cleaners at 233 Grand Ave. in New Haven. At that time nobody could have predicted that the youngster would 19 years later buy the business and continue to operate it into the next millennium.
The dry cleaning company was originally established by Herb Green and has been in the same location as an important part of the Fair Haven neighborhood since 1912. When D’Avino joined the Army and went to Vietnam to serve from 1963 to 1965, Mr. Green held his job open for him. So when D’Avino returned from the war and was hired by Pratt & Whitney, he still worked part time at Green’s. D’Avino’s brother bought the business when Mr. Green retired, and then 19 years after he started working there as a teenager Micheal D’Avino purchased Green’s Cleaners – which he has owned and operated for the past 31 years.
The D’Avino family has a long history in the dry cleaning business. Micheal’s father and uncle immigrated to the United States from Italy, and then in 1912 they founded Bond Cleaners on Legion Avenue in New Haven. But over the years there have been significant changes in both the dry cleaning industry and the Fair Haven neighborhood. In the old days dry cleaning was an environmental nightmare, for example, and gasoline was used to clean the clothes which were then left outside to dry in the air where they could further pollute the atmosphere. Later the industry switched over to a different kind of toxic chemical cleaner that not only evaporated into the air but was also routinely spilled on the ground when it could seep into the dirt and into the water table.
Fortunately today’s dry cleaning methods are much more sophisticated, safe, and better for the environment.
D’Avino.
“In the old days we had to take garments out of the dry cleaner and move them to a separate drying machine, subjecting the environment to contamination” recalls D’Avino. “But the introduction of modern equipment allows for the garments to be moved automatically without exposure to the air or ground.” That has made the entire process more ecologically friendly.
“There have also been a lot of changes in the neighborhood,” D’Avino explains. “This always has been a working class neighborhood where a lot of cultures come together, and it is a melting pot of pretty much every culture and race you can think of – but it all works.”
For a period of time back in the 1980s things were not nearly as vibrant and busy as they now are in Fair Haven, and Green’s – which stayed open until 7 – was the only business open after 5 o’clock. But while some things such as the demographic mix and pace of the neighborhood have changed, some things have essentially stayed the same – which is one reason why D’Avino says “I have always felt safe in this neighborhood.”
Green’s depends primarily on local customers, of course, but because of its long history D’Avino has loyal customers who come from all over the shoreline.
“But we still have to do a good job for our customers,” D’Avino emphasizes, “and that includes having the goods done on time. We do our best for our customers and continue to add some services just for their convenience such as Western Union, bridal gown preservation, leather and suede restoration, and on-site tailoring.”
Greens Cleaners is open Tuesday through Friday from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. and Saturdays from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.
The “Fair Haven 50”: Know a neighborhood business that’s been around at least a half century? Contact Andy Ross .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address).