The pandemic pretty much ended the need to get dressed up.

Dry cleaners were particularly hard hit as tuxedo-driven proms, weddings and more were cancelled, writes Jan Murphy for pennlive.com.

Now Chris Viviani, co-owner of Viviani Bros. Professional Garment Care in Clifton Heights, is hoping a state grant will jump start his 28-year-old business.

“The average person wasn’t going to work. They couldn’t go anywhere; funerals, weddings, church, bar mitzvahs, out to dinner, so nobody really had a need to get dressed,” Viviani said. “I would say we’re off at least 80%” of their usual business volume.

Eight employees were laid off.

Applications started Tuesday, June 30, for the COVID-19 Relief Statewide Small Business Assistance program.

Viviani is applying, hoping to use any grant money to let his customers know his company is still around.

The $225 million grant program will accept applications for 10 days, than it will close until the second of four rounds of grants are distributed in early August.  Grants between $5,000 and $50,000 will be distributed based on need.

Funding comes from the state’s allotment of federal CARES Act dollars.

To apply, and for information, click here.

Read more about the state business grant program here.

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