When Ali Shirkhodaei immigrated to the United States from Iran at 28 in 2006, he didn’t know how difficult it’d be to get a job, even with his molecular biology degree. He job hunted for a year, with no idea he’d eventually run a successful dry-cleaning business in Campbell. Shirkhodaei did know he wanted to infuse his career with acts of kindness, no matter how small, and bring the spirit of Tehran’s city streets with him.
One of Shirkhodaei’s newest services at family-owned Lux Cleaners & Alterations does just that. He provides free, speedy outfit cleanings to any unemployed customer heading to a job interview — no questions asked, no limit. About five to 10 customers use the service a week.
“I think it will definitely give them some hope that the community they live in (cares) about them,” he told San José Spotlight. “It’s not about just getting, it’s about giving. That’s the part that brings all of us joy.”
Shirkhodaei first thought of the unique idea a few months ago after talking with other dry cleaners across the country who wanted to help their communities during tough economic times. He knows high-tech workers caught in the swell of Silicon Valley’s mass layoffs at companies like Google, Meta and Microsoft. He understands how difficult it is to be unemployed and wants to give back to the community that’s supported him since his business started in 2010.
He recently pressed one customer’s shirt in under an hour so she could head straight to her job interview. She came back a few hours later to say she got the job. Her Yelp review said, “Definitely felt the love of my community and the confidence that came with their great services.”
“She was very excited. We were excited, I think, even more than her,” Shirkhodaei said after learning she was hired.
Shirkhodaei’s care for his community extends beyond free cleanings. He starts his day at 6 a.m. and doesn’t leave the steaming irons and cleaning chemicals before 6:30 p.m. He takes on garments too difficult for other dry cleaners, including intricately beaded and sequined Indian saris all the way from Sacramento. He has also tailored and cleaned wedding dresses in four days rather than the typical four weeks, staying late into the night to finish the job and leave his customers stress-free on their special days. He’s also considering offering his services to local homeless shelters to do even more.
@sanjosespotlight Ali Shirkhodaei, owner of Lux Cleaners & Alterations in Campbell, offers free cleanings to anyone unemployed and heading to a job interview. Read more at SanJoseSpotlight.com. #campbell #westvalley #siliconvalley #bayarea #drycleaning #smallbusiness #unemployed #smallactsofkindness
Chris Sarkar has been a Lux Cleaners & Alterations regular for about four years. He keeps returning because Shirkhodaei and his small team have brought his delicate Versace pieces back to pristine condition after he thought he’d have to throw them out.
“They do a good job, they’re polite (and) they treat me well,” Sarkar told San José Spotlight. “Plus, they serve the community, so why not?”
Concepcion, who asked to only use her first name for privacy reasons, has worked for Shirkhodaei for about three years. She said he readily gives her days off so she doesn’t miss her children’s important milestones. He gets her a birthday cake every year, something none of her former bosses ever did.
“He’s special because he always treats us as a family member,” she told San José Spotlight. “He’s the best.”
Shirkhodaei hopes his infectious kindness becomes part of his two daughters’ DNA, and it might be working. His youngest daughter once finished half her sandwich at a restaurant and gave the rest to a person combing through trash cans for food, bringing tears to his eyes.
At work he wants customers to sense his joy of paying it forward and walk out with a desire to spread kindness into the community.
“That’s one of the things that I love about having a small business and dealing with people on a daily basis,” he told San José Spotlight. “I see many different faces every day and believe me, a small smile can change their day.”
Lux Cleaners & Alterations is open Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. and Saturday from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. at 1610 W. Campbell Ave.
Contact Annalise Freimarck at [email protected] or follow @annalise_ellen on X.
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