The New Britain Dry Cleaning Corporation was a New Britain, Connecticut-based company founded in 1912 by Rudolph J. Kloiber. It grew to become the largest dry cleaning company in the city and one of the largest in central Connecticut before it was sold in 1974.

History

Before the Company's Founding Rudolph J. Kloiber was born in what is now Gussing, Austria, in 1884. He immigrated to the United States in 1897 at the age of 13 and settled in Troy, New York, with his uncle and his uncle's family.Article in the New Britain Herald, dated July 5, 1997, entitled “New Britain Dry Cleaning one of city’s oldest businesses" In 1906, he became a citizen of the United States Certificate of Citizenship, United States of America, dated July 6, 1906 and moved to New York City to find work. In 1907, he met and married Margaret Rau, an immigrant from Gundersheim, Germany. It was in New York City that he learned the dry cleaning and dye works trade. In 1911, Rudolph moved his wife and family to New Britain, Connecticut. Kloiber Family History

1912 to 1920

In 1912, at the age of 28, Rudolph and Margaret introduced dry cleaning services to New Britain, Connecticut, when they opened a two-person dry cleaning store on 156 Arch Street. He named his store New Britain Cleaners (later known as the New Britain Dry Cleaning Corporation and NB Cleaners). Over the years, the business expanded and remained the sole dry cleaner in the city for many years. History of the New Britain Dry Cleaning Corporation from Inception to 1947

In 1914, Albert F. Eichstaedt, an acquaintance of Rudolph and Margaret, became interested in the dry cleaning business. An agreement was reached and on July 29, 1914, the business was incorporated under the laws of the State of Connecticut. A Certificate of Incorporation was issued in the name of New Britain Dry Cleaning Corporation with authorized capital stock of 1,000 shares at $25.00 per share or $25,000 ($679,240 in 2021 dollars according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics’ online CPI calculator). Forty-eight (48) shares of capital stock were issued to commence business, or $1,200 ($32,603 in 2021 dollars). Subscribers to the capital stock were: Rudolph J. Kloiber, 28 shares; Margaret R. Kloiber, 12 shares; and Albert F. Eichstaedt, 8 shares. The Officers and Directors of the new corporation were Rudolph J. Kloiber, President and Director; Margaret R. Kloiber, Vice-President and Director, and Albert F. Eichstaedt, Secretary, Treasurer, and Director.

In 1916, the Directors, recognizing the need for expansion, voted to purchase land and build a two-story building at 265 Cherry Street in New Britain. The land was purchased from Albert Eichstaedt for $250 ($6,531 in 2021 dollars) in exchange for 10 shares of corporate stock. To finance the cost of the new building and equipment, two area banks loaned the corporation a total of $4,600 ($120,173 in 2021 dollars), and 112 additional shares of stock were sold to the Directors at $25 per share for a total of $2,800 ($73,148 in 2021 dollars).

In 1916, the company's gross income was $7,000 ($182,872 in 2021 dollars).State of Connecticut Taxation of Miscellaneous Corporations.

After the plant on 265 Cherry Street was completed in 1917, growth and expansion of the business became more rapid.

In 1918, a sales route was established, a branch store was opened at 72 West Main Street, and a building addition and new equipment were added to the Cherry Street plant.

In 1920 (March 6) at the Annual Meeting of Stockholders, the Treasurer reported assets of $14,014, sales of $27,110, and profits of $3,636 ($197,282, $381,641, and $51,185 respectively, in 2021 dollars). At the meeting, the Directors voted to purchase the corner property on Ellis and Cherry Streets (which was adjacent to the plant on 265 Cherry Street) in the event the plant needed to expand. Purchase price was $7,000 ($98,542 in 2021 dollars). Note: Investing in real estate was always an integral part of the growth in value of the company.

1921 to 1930

In 1921, the Directors again indicated their desire to invest in real estate by purchasing the land and buildings at 96 West Main Street for $29,000 ($414,693 in 2021 dollars). Financing was through the use of corporate earnings, additional capital shares sold to Directors, and a bank mortgage. After the purchase, the branch store on 72 West Main Street was moved to the 96 West Main Street property.

In February, 1924, at the Annual Meeting of Stockholders, a major decision in the history of the Corporation was made, that being to sell the properties on Cherry and Ellis Streets and to build a new, modern dry cleaning plant at 411-415 West Main Street. The property at 411-415 West Main Street was purchased for $17,000 ($266,984 in 2021 dollars) and a building was constructed for $33,232 ($521,907 in 2021 dollars) to house the business and to provide a six-room apartment for the Kloiber family. Additional funds were spent for major steam, plumbing, and electrical installations.

In January, 1925, the new, 16,000 square foot plant at 411-415 West Main Street was occupied. The plant included administrative offices, route delivery racks, and room for the dry cleaning, spotting, finishing, and dyeing departments. At the Annual Meeting of Stockholders in February, the property at 383 West Main Street, formerly purchased as a possible site for the new plant, was voted to be sold and the realized profit applied toward the new plant. Later in the year, the corporation sold the building and property on 265 Cherry Street.

1926 marked the temporary end of a rapid growth and expansion period of the dry cleaning business which began in 1916. While records show that from 1926 to 1930 dollar volume profitability increased substantially, the Directors concerned themselves with consolidating their business gains.

1931 to 1942

In 1933, Edgar, 22, (Rudolph's oldest son) joined the company.Article in the New Britain Herald, dated October 20, 1982, entitled "Laundry-dry cleaning firm: One Owner, two names" During the early depression years, management struggled to keep the business solvent. Wages and salaries were cut to the bone. Dry cleaning prices were slashed. To meet new cut-rate competition, the plant was streamlined in an effort to reduce costs and increase efficiency. By 1936, the future looked brighter and the Directors voted to build an addition onto the rear of the plant for a new rug cleaning department. A new blanket brushing machine, drying tumbler, and curtain dryer were also purchased at this time.

In 1936, Albert Eichstaedt, Secretary, Treasurer, and Director retired from the business. His stock interest of 672 shares was purchased by the corporation for $18,500 ($364,230 in 2021 dollars) and his shares were retired as treasury stock. Edgar R. Kloiber, was elected as Secretary and Assistant Treasurer.

From 1937 to 1942, the New Britain Dry Cleaning Corporation underwent a complete change in methods of advertising, selling, and production. Branch stores were opened at 388 Main Street and 45 Main Street in New Britain, and 1037 Main Street in Newington, Connecticut. Route service was increased to three routes. New services were introduced including cold fur storage, hat blocking, and fur and leather cleaning. Sales increased from $58,645 in 1937 to $100,473 in 1942 ($916,079 to $1,747,097 in 2021 dollars). In 1940, Woodrow, 23, (Rudolph's youngest son) joined the company.

1943 to 1950

During the war years, growth in the dry cleaning industry was restricted so the corporation invested in real estate.

In 1943, the corporation purchased a business block at 60 West Main Street for $47,500 ($763,642 in 2021 dollars).

In 1946, the Directors voted to remodel the building at 60 West Main Street at a cost of $28,679.11 ($428,130 in 2021 dollars). The building was named the “Kloiber Building” providing three business stores on the ground floor and modern offices on the second floor.

In 1946, the company had five stores (one at the main plant, three others in New Britain, and one in Newington).Advertisement in the New Britain Herald dated November 4, 1946. The Treasurer's report for that year showed sales of $195,003 ($2,911,073 in 2021 dollars) and rental income from investment properties of $14,710.00 ($219,596 in 2021 dollars).

In 1947, Rudolph, founder, President, and Director of the New Britain Dry Cleaning Corporation, died at the age of 63. Obituary in the New Britain Herald, dated September 3, 1947, entitled “Worker for Blind, R. J. Kloiber Dies” At a special meeting of the Board of Directors, Edgar R. Kloiber, 36, was elected President and Treasurer, and Woodrow G. Kloiber, 30, was elected Assistant Treasurer and Secretary. Margaret, cofounder, remained Vice-President and Director of the Corporation.

1951 to 1960

In 1951, the company expanded its operations to include laundering shirts. The new shirt laundry department started with two women doing 1,000 shirts a week. By 1954, the operation expanded fivefold to 5,000 shirts per week.Article in the National Cleaner and Dyer Magazine, dated July 1954, entitled “Should You Buy New Equipment Now?”

By 1953, total sales rose to $300,000 ($3,064,240 in 2021 dollars).

In 1954, the company's estimated share of the total cleaning volume in the New Britain area was 70%. Cash and carry trade (as opposed to route men picking up and delivering clothing) accounted for approximately 75% of the company's volume.

Also in 1954, a major decision faced management. The issue was whether to buy new, more efficient, dry cleaning equipment that would increase productivity and provide better service to their customers or wait, because (1) management knew their dry cleaning equipment was fairly new and had been kept in excellent condition, (2) the country was in the midst of a recession, (3) business, in general, was leveling off throughout the nation due to the recession, and (4) economists warned companies to proceed with caution. However, the company officers were inclined to be optimistic about the future of their company for, in spite of two world wars, a Great Depression, and the current recession, the business had grown steadily, year in and year out, since 1912 when it was founded. They felt that much of the growth was attributed to the company's policy of offering the finest cleaning at the lowest possible prices in keeping with quality service. The new system of dry cleaning appeared to offer a superior way of processing garments and improving service. After weighing the pros and cons, they decided to spend more than $40,000 ($404,008 in 2021 dollars) for the new dry cleaning equipment. The new equipment replaced a number of smaller dry cleaning units, freed up more production space, and released employees for other work in the plant. Two dry cleaners could now do the work of three and spotting work decreased by 70%. The net result was that production costs decreased, production capacity doubled, and the processing time was cut in half.

In 1955, there were 65 employees, five route delivery drivers, and nine stores (seven in New Britain, including one at the main plant and one in the downtown Kloiber Building; one in Newington; and one in West Hartford, Connecticut).A 1955 Corporation printed flyer

1961 to 1970

In 1962, to better serve the public, the company opened New Britain's first combination coin-operated dry cleaning and laundry store—NB Clean-O-Mat—at 987 West Main Street.55th Anniversary Sale advertisement, dated January 1967

In 1967, there were 60 employees and 11 stores (eight in New Britain, including the store at the main plant, and one each in Newington, Plainville, Connecticut, and Wethersfield, Connecticut).