In the heart of Downtown Brooklyn, a story of resilience, adaptation, and community commitment unfolds in the form of of Richard Aviles, President of Kingbridge Cleaners & Tailors at 202 Livingston Street. This family-owned business, originally known as Bridge Cleaners and Tailors, has been a staple in the neighborhood since the mid-1950s, witnessing and participating in the area’s dramatic transformation.
Richard’s mother acquired Bridge Cleaners in 1986, marking the beginning of a new era for the business. As Richard recounts, “We’ve been in Downtown Brooklyn ever since. Our business has iterated over the years and evolved.” This evolution included expanding to Manhattan with King Garment Care in 2001, before consolidating both operations under the Kingbridge brand.
The company’s commitment to Downtown Brooklyn runs deep. Despite multiple relocations due to redevelopment, Kingbridge has remained within a block and a half radius of its original location. “As loyal as our clients are to us, we need to be incredibly loyal to them,” Richard emphasizes. This dedication extends beyond mere business operations; the Aviles family has been actively involved in shaping the neighborhood’s development. Richard’s mother served as president of the Metro Tech BID for a decade, and Richard himself has participated in community board meetings and advocated for various local projects.
Richard Aviles (center) with Victoria Aviles (left) and Melissa Aviles (right).
What sets Kingbridge apart in the garment care industry is its commitment to quality and its expansive tailoring services. With state-of-the-art facilities in the Brooklyn Navy Yard and the largest privately owned tailoring business in the city, Kingbridge has become a one-stop shop for everything garment care. They serve not only local residents but also high-end fashion brands and even museum exhibitions.
Downtown Brooklyn’s evolution has been both a challenge and an opportunity for Kingbridge. The neighborhood has transformed from a primarily commercial area with government offices, to a vibrant, mixed-use community with increasing residential development. Richard appreciates the positive changes: “It’s beautiful how Downtown Brooklyn is really now on the map. It’s become so easily accessible. You’ve got so many people who were die-hard Manhattanites now moving into Brooklyn and realizing this is really the place to be.”
The business has adapted to serve a changing clientele, from generations of Brooklyn families to new corporate clients and first-time residents. Despite challenges such as the COVID-19 pandemic, which saw their business drop by 93%, Kingbridge has remained resilient, finding new ways to serve their loyal customer base.
Looking to the future, Richard aims to expand Kingbridge’s reach throughout Brooklyn, and plan to increase their delivery services to accommodate more clients.
For aspiring entrepreneurs in the area, Richard emphasizes the importance of customer experience: “People will always remember how you made them feel. If you make them feel great and really proud to have visited you, you’ll have a client for life.”
As Downtown Brooklyn continues to evolve, Kingbridge stands as a testament to the enduring spirit of small businesses in the area; blending tradition with innovation and maintaining a deep connection to the community they serve.
