I'm a Vintage Fashionista obsessed with vintage clothing (50s dresses are my favorite). I can rattle off decades, stitches, buttons and fabrics with ease and with my arms tied behind my back. I'm being literal: I can browse racks not even being allowed to touch/move the clothing and can still tell what is authentic vintage and what is vintage-inspired. It's an art! When I scored an amazing vintage seersucker dressed that looked straight off an indie record cover for only $18 (!!!); I was stoked. But less so about the fact that it was quite long and I like to show of my (not shy to admit) sexy legs. Thus, an alteration was desperately needed. My go-to dry cleaners sort-of botched my last alteration job so, on the recommendation of the owner of the tanning salon I tan at located next door; I decided to try Jack's Prime Cleaners.
Jack's Prime Cleaners is located in the strip plaza housing a 7/11, Sun Tans to Go, an optometrist, nail salon and a children's ballet studio at the corner of Moorpark and Fulton in Sherman Oaks. The parking lot is decent but is always hit and miss: sometimes completely packed and sometimes it is a vacant sore spot. Luckily, Jack's has designated spots immediately in front of their storefront.
There isn't much to see here in terms of the shop interior as it is exactly like every other dry cleaners: a tiny lobby with walk up counter, the dry cleaner rack standing behind on the right and alteration area off to the left. I arrived nervously with my vintage dress hoping for it to be altered and dry cleaned. Why nervously? Having any article of clothing altered can cause one anxiety; but when it is a dead stock vintage piece that you can't just go buy again... it is 100x that. I've never been to Jack's so it was taking a risk.
The Armenian (I believe) gal at the counter was welcoming and I explained to her that I was a new customer and needed the dress altered. I had already pinned it per the length at home and explained exactly how I wanted it done which was a multi-step alteration (I sew myself, so I know these things). My nerves weren't calmed because she didn't take any notes to tell the alteration girl (or maybe she IS the alteration girl?) and I had to ask if she will remember everything I am asking for to which she promised she would. Okie dokie. We shall see. She offered me some paper coupons for future use and said I will get a first-time customer discount. Awesome!
Jack's is tech-savvy and sends customers a text when your order is ready (mine was estimated for Tuesday and was ready early on Monday). When I returned for the pick-up, Ara was handling the counter and apparently doesn't normally work the shop but was "filling in for my uncle" (whom I assume is the owner). Ara was super personable and patient even with my paying in all quarters and offered me the proper discounts and then some, I think, because my alteration and dry-clean came to $10.50 and the dry clean itself was quoted at $10. So, if Ara's uncle is reading this: he is awesome and I loved him!
Did Jack's botch the vintage alteration? Nope, thank God! The alteration was great and exactly what I wanted so I guess the gal DID remember my requests. There was a slight mis-stitch that is definitely noticeable but not too bad and I will deal. My other qualm is that they didn't make the dress smell deodorized like most dry cleaners do (perhaps you need to ask here?). But overall, I was quite pleased. I have since worn the dress and it is perfect in fit.
Despite my discomfort at not having my complicated alteration requests written down, the mis-stitch and not having the dress dry cleaned with the good-smelling stuff; Jack's is terrific and recommended. I will certainly be back for my alteration needs, vintage or not. read more