FRSTeam is proud to announce that Hilker’s Cleaners of Raleigh, North Carolina is now a Fabric Restoration Service Team Licensee. “We are very proud to have quality people like Jim and Lisa Hilker as part of our team,” said Jim Nicholas, President of FRSTeam. “Hilker’s Cleaners is a family business, established in their community for generations, practicing the same values and integrity we embrace here at FRSTeam.”
Hilker’s Cleaners was founded in 1916 by Emil Hilker and his brother. Originally known as Hilker’s Brothers Cleaners, the business specialized in fur storage, fur restoration, and custom tailoring. Over the years, the business evolved until it concentrated on retail dry-cleaning and fur storage. Emil’s twin sons took over the business from him and expanded the retail business by opening several more stores outside of the downtown area. In 1978, Emil’s grandson, Jim Hilker, came to work in the business and developed the drapery division. It is currently the largest drapery service in the Raleigh-Durham area. When his father retired in 1987, Jim Hilker took over the operation of the family business. Along with the drapery division, Jim developed the company’s restoration business and has offered professional restoration services in the Raleigh Durham area for the past twenty years.Now as a FRSTeam Licensee, Hilker’s Cleaners will start a new chapter in the company’s remarkable story. “We joined FRSTeam to benefit from the operating model and training structure, in effect to become better operators,” said Jim Hilker. “Secondly, we wanted to be part of a national brand to be better positioned in this competitive market.” After completing their training in the California Corporate Office, Jim and Lisa Hilker returned to Raleigh to get their FRSTeam operation started. “We are so excited for them,” commented Courtney Nicholas, CEO of FRSTeam. “They have all of the experience, drive, and support needed to do well in this business.”
FRSTeam licensees specialize in the restoration of clothing and other fabric related items damaged in a fire or water loss. Licensees are independent businesses that have chosen to operate under the FRSTeam brand using its unique operating model. As one of the leading brands in the industry, FRSTeam is moving towards its goal of national coverage to provide a quality resource for the restoration industry.
