By Charlene Macaulay
Werribee’s Master Dry Cleaners has reopened at a temporary location – a week after the business was gutted by fire.
The dry cleaning business set up shop in Werribee last Wednesday at the old ANZ bank site at 26 Watton Street, a short distance from the 61 Watton Street premises hit by fire.
The new shop opened a week after the fire broke out about 10.30pm on February 4, causing extensive damage to the building and customers’ garments. The cause of the fire is still being determined.
Owner Jim Hudson, whose family has owned and operated dry cleaning stores in Werribee for 71 years, said the family had spent the past week sifting through what was left of the store to see what items – including customers’ garments – could be salvaged.
Mr Hudson said the business had been able to save a number of wedding dresses, including an heirloom wedding dress that had been worn by a mother and daughter.
“The normal clothes on the rack, at this stage we’re quite sure most of them are fine, but anything that was hanging in the air is possibly gone,” he said. “We’ve been overwhelmed by support from the community wishing us well and we’re very grateful for that.”
Mr Hudson said the roof of the fire-damaged building would most likely have to be replaced and most of the dry cleaning equipment had been damaged beyond repair.
The business, which will continue dry cleaning garments through its other locations in Albert Park and South Kingsville, is expected to remain in the temporary shop for at least six months.
The family has called on customers who had garments in the store prior to February 5 to email details of their order to claims@hudsongroup.com.au, where further details will be provided.
