Shreveport MPC Questions Whether Local Dry Cleaners Violated City Ordinances

Shreveport Metropolitan Planning Commission officials are questioning whether the owner of the $2.49 Dry Clean Super Center on East 70th St. was operating without a city occupational license or certificate of occupancy. "I`ve never seen a business do like that," Gerry Smith, a $2.49 Dry Clean Super Center customer, said. Customers say they are still in shock after the cleaners shut its doors with their clothing locked inside. "There was a note on the door to come back so I did but they were still locked," Smith said. Days later, employees like Ronnie Williams are working to get all those clothes checked out and back to their rightful owners. He says the sudden closure was unavoidable. "Due to the owners health situation and some other factors of which i`m not aware," Williams said, "but the biggest factor is the owner`s health." There could be yet another factor employees did not know about. According to Shreveport Metropolitan Planning Commission records, there is no current business license or certificate of occupancy listed under the business name, owner`s name or address. Businesses operating without current city licenses are violating city ordinances. When I asked to see a copy of the $2.49 Dry Clean Super Center`s licenses, the employees refused but claim the business is legit. "You shouldn`t even be in business without the correct licensing," Adrienne Barfuss, owner of the $1.45 Cleaners in Shreveport, says. "You have to have the correct licenses before you open your doors," Barfuss says. Barfuss says registering with the city is standard practice every business should follow. Her cleaners` licenses are displayed on the wall, as the city ordinance requires. "It`s nothing to hide," Barfuss said," it should be inside at all times anyway." For now, $2.49 Dry Clean Super Center is shutting down. However, if it does re-open, Shreveport Metropolitan Planning Commission officials say they will be watching. Experts say when you choose a cleaners, talk to customers about the quality of the work or check with the Better Business Bureau. Don`t be afraid to ask to see the cleaners current occupational license.