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and was just a slower pace area,” she said.

Over the past year, the business has faced some challenges due to the pandemic.

“COVID didn’t help and with a lot of people not going back to work quite yet, business has been down. We were one of the lucky ones though. Our business was only down about 38 percent,” said Petrovic.

Jule’s Cleaners had two locations: One at 254 W. Main St. in Ellsworth, and one at 1027 W. Main St. in Red Wing. Customers could also drop off their items for pick-up at locations in Pepin, Hammond, New Richmond, Baldwin, Woodville, Lake City and Zumbrota.

Petrovic has many cherished memories over the years running the Jule’s Cleaners.

“I loved the customer’s reactions after cleaning a well partied in wedding dress for sure. There are just too many memories. It is crazy over the past 27 years, it is really hard to pin one down,” she said.

Yet one memory that really sticks out to her was when the late Police Chief Ron Miller would come into the cleaners.

“Chief of Police Ron Miller, he is passed now, but back in the day he would always come in and always be grumpy,” Petrovic said. “We put in one of those electric eyes that buzz when someone would walk in. Well, he was tall enough, he would walk over it and ring the little bell and say ‘Can I get some service?’ He was just that type of person. It was funny looking back on it now.”

Petrovic plans to retire in Ellsworth and doesn’t plan on going anywhere.

“I only have my two hobbies, golf and bowling, so I’m sure I’ll get bored and have to find a part-time job eventually,” she joked.

Petrovic started the business with her late husband Steve Agrey back in 1994.

“After my first husband passed, that was really hard, and even though that was tough I had a business to run so I kept it all going; it kept me going really. It gave me something to lean on and was still a part of him,” she said.

After being in the industry for many years Petrovic says the hard work is catching up with her and she is ready for a break.

“I’m going to miss everyone, but it is just time for me. After 46 years of ironing, I have to give myself a break,” Petrovic said.

Petrovic wrote a thank you note to the community that is posted on the business’s website. In the letter she wrote, “My passion provided me the sense of accomplishment and made me feel complete knowing I was helping so many people. Thank you for accepting our family into this community and for trusting Jule’s Cleaners with your dry-cleaning and laundry needs. It has been a true delight and pleasure serving you for 27 years.”