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ZIPS Arrives in Newport News, Virginia

By: ZIPS Cleaners |  5 Shares     2,908 Reads

November 20, 2023 // Franchising.com // VIRGINIA - ZIPS has taken the wraps off its latest location, bringing its unique brand of garment care to Newport News, Va. The new store opened today in the Sherwood Shopping Center at 13795 Warwick Blvd, and is operated by Tidewater Cleaners LLC, a franchise entity owned by partners Tony Akaras and Shahid Hashmi. 

Akaras and Hashmi opened their first ZIPS plant, where all cleaning and tailoring services occur on-site, in Essex, Md., in 2014. Earlier this year, they purchased a second plant in College Park, Md., from another franchisee, and opened a drop store, where items are received and returned to customers within the same timeframe and at the same cost as at plant locations, in Glen Burnie, Md.

“We congratulate Tony and Shahid on their latest opening in Newport News,” says Bob Barry, President/CEO of ZIPS. “Our system thrives on ambitious operators like them, who are committed both to maximizing performance and customer satisfaction at each location and to adding locations to bring our popular offering to more communities. We look forward to seeing the Newport News store flourish and to celebrating with Tony, Shahid and other franchisees as we continue expanding our system with new locations in the future.”

Newport News was a natural choice for their latest expansion with ZIPS, Akaras explains, as he and Hashmi both have ties to the area via previous ownership of Popeyes restaurants there, including one immediately adjacent to the new store.

“We love Newport News and, after an extended development period brought on by the pandemic, we are proud to finally be bringing ZIPS to the area,” says Akaras. “Opening here gives us a great opportunity to provide an affordable, convenient and much-needed service to a community that has welcomed and supported us for many years.”

“We’re especially excited to be opening in the Sherwood Shopping Center, which recently welcomed the local police department – a potential source of both personal and commercial business for us as well as an added layer of safety” adds Hashmi. “The strip mall is also scheduled to undergo major renovations soon, which will bring an influx of other commercial neighbors as well as shoppers to the site.”

SOURCE ZIPS Cleaners®

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