Surrey Hills institution Tony the dry cleaner set to farewell community after 44 years of service
From Star Wars outfits and couches to finding saucy notes in school uniforms, a legendary eastern suburbs dry cleaner has decided to retire, leaving behind a spotless reputation.
Inner East
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After a more than four decades in Melbourne’s eastern suburbs, a well-known drycleaner has decided to press his last suit.
Tony Chiodo, 61, of Saville Row Prestige Dry Cleaners called his Union Rd shop home for 44 years but will close his doors for the last time on August 31.
In the back of the shop, among the steaming machines and a rack of deb dresses ready for the dance floor, Mr Chiodo has covered the wall in family photos.
“In the end it’s all about family,” he said, smiling.
Learning the ropes as a child in his dad’s Collingwood laundry, Mr Chiodo began serving customers at just nine years old.
“My dad always said ‘just be yourself, don’t fear anyone who comes into the shop’,” he said.
From politicians to actors to footballers, Mr Chiodo has served people from all walks of life.
And just as the clientele come from every demographic, so too do the outfits and items to clean.
“More recently someone asked me to clean a collectors Star Wars outfit,” he said.
“It was worth a lot of money, but I couldn’t clean it. It was one of those outfits they wear to conventions.
“People have brought in couches, chairs, everything. You get some really weird things.”
But it’s not just the items themselves that hold intrigue.
Inside jacket pockets he’s found long-forgotten drugs. Inside school blazers, salacious notes between teenage lovers.
“What I’ve really enjoyed most is the interaction with people, I love it,” he said.
“I’ve really enjoyed it, I’ve made a lot of good friends out of this. It’s been really special.”
In Surrey Hills since 1979, Mr Chiodo said he would miss the people but was looking forward to retirement.
“I’ve seen people and their kids grow up – we have three generations of family coming in here sometimes,” he said.
“I’m excited though, especially to spend time with my grandkids. I’ve got all that to look forward to.”
To his community, Mr Chiodo shared nothing but love.
“I’ve had tears with people in the shop, but that’s part of it,” he said.
“I want to thank my community from the bottom of my heart.”
After he closes his doors for the last time at the end of the month, Mr Chiodo has planned to auction off the building at 150 Union Rd, truly ending his era.
“Saville Row finishes when Tony finishes,” he laughed.
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