Magic Cleaner & Tailor

(Serviced 01÷27÷14 M @ 11:00am): Nothing up their sleeves… presto changeo… spots and stains are gone!
Tucked into a small corner along Glenoaks Blvd. next to a gas station, a salon, and a wine store, Magic Cleaner & Tailor has been my go-​to dry cleaners for over 15 years with no end in sight to being replaced. I’ve been placated by various coupon offers throughout the years and have ventured out on a couple occasions, but the results were not the same. And oddly enough, this was the first time I’ve been here since I started Unilocaling, so here was a long-​overdue review of my recent experience:
Dry Cleaning (charged on a per piece system) — I would usually dry clean my tuxedo, vest, and dress shirts on the cruise ship before I returned home from vacation to take advantage of my employee discount, but I somehow forgot. There were a couple noticeable wine spots on the jacket and pants, the vest smelled like smoke, and the dress shirts just needed to be done. Each item (total five pieces) was tagged of any specific instructions I had. When I finally returned to pick them up, all was hung and wrapped up in cellophane. I checked the concerned areas, and as in the past all was taken care of. No visible wear or tear and all was neatly pressed.
Service — I’ve always dealt with the same pleasant older woman, who’d greet me, quickly took my clothes, and everything would be ready for pick-​up no more than one week’s time (same-​day service was available if required). The plant was on the premises and they used less harmful chemicals to the environment.
Parking — An extremely small lot with only four spots. Otherwise, search for non-​metered residential street parking along the main drag of Glenoaks Blvd. and all surrounding side streets. Just make sure to observe any posted signs.
Atmosphere, décor, ambience — It was a dry cleaners, so there’s not much to be said. A small entrance area to drop-​off your clothes, a corner for alterations, and behind the counter all of the conveyor belts of clothes, drapes, etc. a couple chairs to sit on. Mostly natural lighting shined through the front windows, but there was ample electric lighting, too. There was a TV, and the only background music came from the happy chirpping caged bird.
Attire — Totally casual, so I would normally be in a t-​shirt, boardshorts, and flip-​flops.
Overall, Magic Cleaner & Tailor have trapped me under their spell for almost half my lifetime ultimately because of the consist great work they’ve done on my suits, tuxedos, dress shirts, and wool clothes. I may not live in the area anymore but my family still does, so it’s not out of my way from Hipsterville (aka Silver Lake). I found very good value based on the prices, service, and experience noted above (total bill was around $ 27.00; no tip required). I honestly couldn’t say how these prices compared with other businesses, but when you’ve never been disappointed, why even consider anywhere else?! And, although they accepted credit cards, not mine of choice… AMEX!

Dry-​cleaning services are good; I have never had any problems with shrinkage or fading, lost items, or things not being ready on time. Prices are a bit high in my opinion though, and the woman behind the counter could stand to be a little more friendly. When I have a small alteration, like a ripped seam or hole, she makes me get the item dry-​cleaned in addition to the repair so that I can meet her minimum charge — kind of lame, especially when you are a long-​time customer.