Local Shopkeeper… Anna, Sarah and Celia From Fusspots Dry Cleaners

By James Hutton on June 11, 2012 in People

Anna from Fusspots Dry Cleaners answers a few not-so-probing questions about her famous family business on Clovelly Road…

Name | Fusspots Dry Cleaners
Address | 217 Clovelly Road, Clovelly
Phone | 9665 6524
Website | We don’t have one; Mum is terrible with technology!

Tell us about Fusspots…
Well, Fusspots has been established in Clovelly for over 20 years. It is a small family-owned business specialising in dry cleaning and Mum is famous for her repairs and alterations.

How long have you had the shop?
We’ve been running the business for about seven years now.

What made you decide to open Fusspots?
Mum and Dad made the executive decision to buy the business, I guess to be able to work
for themselves, but somehow us girls got guilt tripped into working for them. It’s not so bad working for
your parents as you can get away with some things, except for faking sick days – Mum can always call
your bluff!

What were you doing before you opened the shop?
My mum was employed as a supervisor in her previous position, but unfortunately the business went bankrupt, so for a more secure financial future for the family my parents decided to invest in a small business. I just got into university studying HRM and law – a degree that is so long that I’m still studying after deferring for about two years.

What would you do if you sold up?
Go on a really long holiday.

How did you come up with the name?
We didn’t actually. The original owners that opened the shop about 20 years ago came up with it and I guess it ticks the right boxes because the name works!

What’s the best thing about owning Fusspots?
The best thing about owning the shop would definitely have to be the great location that it’s in. Clovelly has a great ambience about it, the people are lovely and the view is not too bad! You get to meet and know the locals and they become part of your extended family – particularly the regulars that come in – and we share the good times and tough times and you know that at the end of the day you can always have a laugh and a good vent.

Does anything about Fusspots piss you off?
The crappy hours. The shop used to open at 7am but it’s now 7.30am because it’s just too hard to get there at that hour. We live an hour and a bit away so traffic is always a nightmare!

What’s your medium- to long-term plan for the business?
At this point in time, I guess to keep the business running smoothly and eventually upgrade the equipment and products to more energy efficient and saving machinery. The cost of energy is rising, so to be able to upgrade
those is the main priority at the moment. Maybe a facelift as well… who doesn’t like re-decorating?

Can Beast readers get a discount?
You guys already get the discount before you even have to ask! The 3 for $15 is the best deal you can get, especially for the suit lovers. You get great dry cleaning for less than what they charge you in the city – now
how can you beat that?