Chase Cleaners & Custom Drapery
Alterations and Much More
7241 N. Sheridan Rd.
773-465-6240

"Come for coffee and we'll talk", Hayriye said as I scheduled an interview with the gracious and wonderfully pleasant owner of Chase Cleaners & Custom Drapery.

Turkish-born, Hayriye Temizel, has lived in Rogers Park for nineteen years and has owned her own business at the south east corner of Chase and Sheridan for the past seven. They specialize is custom made draperies.

"I come from Istanbul where the food is fabulous. There are 40 recipes for eggplant. We are surrounded by four seas: the Mediterranean, the Black Sea, the Aegean Sea and the Sea of Mamara."

Turkey has a history of 10,000 years with thirteen different civilizations.

"I love Rogers Park. I've lived in Rogers Park for nineteen years. I raised my kids here with my lovely husband. I always wanted to own my own business. I have twenty years of experience making drapery. So we thought why not open our business in our own community. The people have been great. I love my customers."

I sat with Hayriye on her comfy self-upholstered bench in the sunshine-filled window of her shop. I felt welcomed sipping Turkish coffee.

"I love it when customers come and drop off their clothes and stay for coffee and conversation. That is the best part of this business. I am very social."

There are pictures of Hayriye’s beautiful family gracing the walls. She and her husband raised two daughters and one son in Rogers Park. All are doing well including a one-year-old granddaughter.

"We came to the US, because my husband’s job transferred him here. We own our own business and all of our children graduated from University. We live a good life here and are grateful."

Chase Cleaners & Custom Drapery is a full-service cleaners. They do a great job of cleaning and mending clothes. I speak from personal experience. But, her eyes literally light up when I asked her what type of work she considers her niche.

"I love doing draperies, and other specialty sewing projects, like slipcovers and upholstery. I do this very well, and my customers who try me for this always rave about these projects. I love to make things. I may be getting older. But I still love to create," Hayriye said with a sparkle in her eyes.

Next time I bring my shirts and pants to Hayriye, I will stop for another chat, I hope you do the same.