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In the News

Intersections: A family business, unchanged

What does 21st-century redevelopment mean for a business that’s already endured so much change in Deanwood?

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Willie Craft Jr. spins the laundry carousel as he looks for a spot to hang clothes at his family’s dry-cleaning store in the Deanwood neighborhood of the District. His father bought the store in the 1970s.

Ricky Carioti / THE WASHINGTON POST

Craft and employee Kierria Johnson sort through bins of laundry. Times haven’t always been easy on the shop, the anchor of a strip mall in Northeast. But robberies have ebbed, and construction has resulted in a rejuvenated road to prosperity.

Craft and employee Kierria Johnson sort through bins of laundry. Times haven’t always been easy on the shop, the anchor of a strip mall in Northeast. But robberies have ebbed, and construction has resulted in a rejuvenated road to prosperity.

Ricky Carioti / THE WASHINGTON POST

Willie Craft Sr. is seen reflected in a mirror by the tailoring table. “We’ve been here for more than 40 years, trying to make a living and being a service community. We rely on word of mouth. We’re going to stay as long as our customers want us here,” he says.

Willie Craft Sr. is seen reflected in a mirror by the tailoring table. “We’ve been here for more than 40 years, trying to make a living and being a service community. We rely on word of mouth. We’re going to stay as long as our customers want us here,” he says.

Ricky Carioti / WASHINGTON POST

Patches indicate the professions of some of the store’s customers. Without conducting a survey, the younger Willie Craft can describe the type of customers who come: The racks are filled with Metro uniforms, security guard uniforms, Postal Service uniforms and church suits.

Patches indicate the professions of some of the store’s customers. Without conducting a survey, the younger Willie Craft can describe the type of customers who come: The racks are filled with Metro uniforms, security guard uniforms, Postal Service uniforms and church suits.

Ricky Carioti / THE WASHINGTON POST

A sign announces a new service.The Crafts delight in being old-school. There’s no music playing overhead. No Facebook pages or signs to review them on Yelp. The fact that they are still here, they think, says enough.

A sign announces a new service.The Crafts delight in being old-school. There’s no music playing overhead. No Facebook pages or signs to review them on Yelp. The fact that they are still here, they think, says enough.

Ricky Carioti / THE WASHINGTON POST

Willie Craft Sr., left, and his son Willie Craft Jr. pass the time at the cleaners. “This is family,’’ the son says. “That’s why we are still here. This is our family business. And it will probably keep going as a dry cleaners forever. So hopefully, the next generation will want to keep it that way.”

Willie Craft Sr., left, and his son Willie Craft Jr. pass the time at the cleaners. “This is family,’’ the son says. “That’s why we are still here. This is our family business. And it will probably keep going as a dry cleaners forever. So hopefully, the next generation will want to keep it that way.”

Ricky Carioti / THE WASHINGTON POST

Northeast resident Deborah Martin smiles as Willie Craft Jr. carries out her laundry for her.

Northeast resident Deborah Martin smiles as Willie Craft Jr. carries out her laundry for her.

Ricky Carioti / THE WASHINGTON POST

Northeast resident James Jewett steps out of the door with his laundered clothes. “This family hasn’t sold out,’’ he says.

Northeast resident James Jewett steps out of the door with his laundered clothes. “This family hasn’t sold out,’’ he says.

Ricky Carioti / THE WASHINGTON POST

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