Triangle Retailers Offering Services on Demand

Several local companies have figured out the way to win a working person's wallet is to be available on demand.

Brother's Cleaners has been around nearly a century, but a new part of the business keeps folks hopping.

"We pick the clothes up, and bring them back and hang them up. If they have something else, we pick that up."

With their delivery service, the rolling retailer has found a sales niche. When workers cannot leave to pick up their dry cleaning, the store brings the service to the office. It is a hit with Raleigh HealthSource employees.

"You really don't have the time to pick up your dry cleaning, remember your dry cleaning, go to the store to get a card, whatever it is," says employee Lori Weaver "You just don't have the time to go out and do any of that."

In the service industry, businesses are open just so long, and that's not long enough for many working people.

Mary Heggie says government agencies are the worst. Getting a new driver's license means giving up work time or worse.

"I had to pick my time and give up the food and come to get that done," she says.

After 6:00 p.m. many auto service bays in the Triangle are closed. If you are just getting off work, you are probably out of luck.

Capital Ford in North Raleigh decided to open its service bays until midnight; the response has been overwhelming.

"The customers love it because they can come in at their convenience," says Peter Duerkson, service manager. "If they want to go home for dinner first and stop back to drop their car off for tomorrow or pick it up later from today's work, they just like the convenience."

The Greater Raleigh Merchants Association says in the past two years, more companies are looking at their operating hours than ever before.

Opening later and on Sunday is a chance to boost profit margins and attract better employees because being open more means more full time work is available.