Nouveau Cleaners

New Cleaners in the Neighborhood - Nouveau

Attention to detail is what sets Nouveau Cleaners apart, said Larry Wilkerson, who along with his wife, Diana, opened the cleaners last February on T Street.

Nouveau does alterations, dry cleaning and laundry. "We are a full-service clothing care store," Mr. Wilkerson said. The alterations are done by Olere Hughes and Frankie Jordan.

"I think the big difference is that we are detail oriented with a high concentration on you getting the very best cleaning and alterations. For people who really care about their wardrobe, I think we are head and shoulders above the rest.

"We make sure we protect your buttons and that your creases are in the right place. We are just a good cleaners. All of our linens, laundered and dry cleaned, are hand finished. We inspect and touch up every piece. We lean heavily on the laundry side."

The folks there certainly have the experience. Larry's mother, the late Wanda Jones, was in the cleaning business when Larry moved to Little Rock from Texas in 1988.

"She had a little store on Rodney Parham, and she tricked me into this stuff," he said with a laugh. "When we got into business together, we opened Boulevard Cleaners. We had nine stores.

"Gary Saulsberry used to be a partner of mine. He acquired River Market Cleaners. He's a really highly qualified cleaner. He's helping me and I am helping him. Gary has 20 years experience spotting and cleaning. I have been in the business since 1989. Mrs. Hughes has been doing alterations for over 50 years, and Frankie, for 30 years. Our combined experience is quite a bit."

Mrs. Hughes said she began sewing because she had seven children who needed clothing.

Frankie, Larry & Olere

She said she's performed alterations for "anything and everything," and will even make things like duvet covers from scratch if she has the time. She worked in the neighborhood for almost 20 years with the late Nadine Mason until Mrs. Mason passed away five years ago. Most of her customers from that time have remained with her, Olere said.

In addition to altering everyday clothing and evening gowns, "people ask for everything. There's nothing hardly myself and Frankie wouldn't do."

Nouveau Cleaners is conveniently located to both the Heights and West Little Rock. It is at 7616 T Street in the triangle bounded by T Street, Cantrell Road and Keightley Drive. A full-sized mannequin - named "Dillard" - which Larry placed by the front door to beckon customers in, can be seen from Cantrell Road.

Larry wanted a French name for the cleaners, because he said his methods mimic the French style of cleaning with the use of hand finishing and attention to detail.

"I picked Nouveau, a French word that means having recently appeared or become fashionable. We recently appeared, and we do desire to be fashionable."

Business is "going great," he said. "We are in the process of developing a pick up and delivery route."

Larry said he aims for his business to be "environmentally friendly."

"Most things are now washable. We wash it if it's washable. Our cleaning is odor free."

Larry would like folks in the neighborhood to stop by and try Nouveau. He said no appointment is necessary for custom fittings for alterations. Ask about "the neighborhood special" and the "back-to-school" special. For more information, call him at 223-5700.