ENDING TRIPS TO CLEANERS CORPORATE WORKERS CAN GET FREE DELIVERY TO VALLEY OFFICES.

Byline: Brent Hopkins Staff Writer

CANOGA PARK - If Tony Carl had it his way, getting taken to the cleaners would be something to look forward to.

Gliding his way through offices, chatting up secretaries and glad- handing prospective customers, the energetic general manager of Pine Hill Cleaners has a whole new take on the dry-cleaning business. To bolster business for the family-run outfit, a longtime presence in the West San Fernando Valley, Carl and owner Nick Ishanyan offer door-to-door service, delivering everything to corporate clients from ties to wedding dresses. Based on Carl's aggressively friendly sales pitch, Ishanyan estimates 20 percent of his business now comes from corporate offices.

Everyone values time, Carl points out, but Angelenos find themselves especially pressed. And as he's seen in his 40 years in the business, no one wants to hassle with dropping off dirty clothes if someone else will do it.

``After an eight-hour day, you don't want to go pick up the cleaning; you want to go eat dinner,'' he said, loading his car with crisp, fresh deliveries. ``And while you're doing that, we'll be taking care of it, making sure everything's going smoothly.''

The unusual business venture grew out of a happy coincidence for Ishanyan and Carl. After running Pine Hill successfully for a decade, Ishanyan looked to expand the business in a new direction.

``Lots of our customers complain about lack of time,'' he said. ``They'd call and ask if we could wait after closing for them because they were running too late. Instead, we told them: Why don't we come to you?''

Enter Carl, who was looking for a new position after leaving his longtime job in Westchester. The dynamic operator, who'd handled corporate accounts in the past, proposed expanding into the business sector. He began hustling up clients, offering a 10 percent discount for corporate clients.

The large volume brought in more than makes up for expenses, and the delivery service has proven to be a valuable advertising tool. Since its launch three years ago, the service has spread the name throughout the Valley, allowing Ishanyan to open an additional three outlets.

Corporate clients, such as Carole Protat, a worker at Woodland Hills' cosmetics firm Sebastian, cite the convenience as key. As needed, she leaves her clothes in a colored laundry bag near her desk, and Carl snags it on his twice-weekly swing through the office.

``I don't have time to go to the cleaners, so I love being able to just leave it at work,'' she said. ``They say time is money, and this saves me time, so I'm willing to give him my money.''

Even with delivery, prices remain relatively low. Prior to the corporate discount, dry cleaning costs $3.60 for pants, $4.50 for a sweater and $8.50 for a suit, with no charge for delivery. At the storefronts along Topanga Canyon Boulevard and on Sherman Way, same-day service is also offered free of extra charge.

After a long professional association with Carl, Linda Stokes, owner of LSO Design and costumer to Britney Spears and Janet Jackson, refuses to take her work anywhere else. After 20 years in the business, she has tried every cleaner in the Valley and thinks Pine Hill is the only one worthy of handling her $10,000 outfits.

``I don't trust my things with just anybody,'' she said as Carl dropped off a batch of her handmade creations. ``I work crazy hours, and it's hard for me to get out of here, so it's great they can come get it. I wouldn't want anyone else touching my things.''

CAPTION(S):

2 photos

Photo:

(1 -- color) Tony Carl, who handles corporate accounts for Pine Hill Cleaners, picks up some clean garments for delivery.

(2 -- color) Sebastian International Inc. employee Tammie Rooks gets a cleaning discount coupon from Tony Carl, right, accompanied by Pine Hill Cleaners owner Nick Ishanyan.

Gus Ruelas/Staff Photographer