Bruce Gershon’s grandfather came to America as a Polish immigrant in 1906 and settled in Kansas City, where he started Arrow Cleaners and Tailors in 1914.
A century later, Arrow Fabricare Services still maintains the highest standards in dry cleaning, with a specialty in wedding gowns and fur and leather garments.

Gershon entered his family’s business at 39th Street and Troost Avenue less than a year after graduating from high school in 1974, when he was a self-described “ski bum” in Vail, Colo.

“About two-thirds of the way through the ski season, my dad called and said, ‘Your uncle’s retiring, and I need your help,’” recalled Gershon, who bought out his parents in 1988, becoming president and CEO.

How has Arrow Fabricare Services lasted 100 years? “I hope it’s because we’ve always tried to do things right,” Gershon said. “Over time, I continued to add services and built a business and hired great people.

“We only want to do high-quality work. And, of course, that comes at a price. We’ve never been a discounter. If you treat people right, if you try to give them what they’re paying for, they’ll keep coming back, and they’ll tell their friends where to go.”