John Max Edwards left Oxford for more than seven years to pursue a career in the oil and gas industry after earning degrees from Ole Miss and Delta State, living in Ohio, Pennsylvania and Louisiana during his time away.

After proposing to his future wife, Ali, the couple decided to make their home in Oxford and open their own dry cleaning business – with one condition.

“I wanted to do something eco-friendly, green and nonhazardous to the skin,” Edwards said. “I looked around and saw that a Lapels opened in New Albany. I made a phone call and they were everything I was looking for.”

After some research, Edwards joined with Lapels Dry Cleaning franchise, and on Saturday, had the soft opening of Lapels Dry Cleaning of Oxford at 3010 Old Taylor Road.

The new dry-cleaning business is open Monday through Friday from 7 a.m. To 7 p.m., Saturday from 8 a.m. To 5 p.m. And Sunday 12 to 3 p.m.

What makes Lapels eco-friendly and a cleaner, greener option?

“We use a solution called GreenEarth,” Edwards explained. “It’s different than hydrocarbon machines that use petroleum-based solvents. Ours is a water-based silicone solution.”

Edwards has exclusive rights to use GreenEarth in Oxford.

Headquartered in Hanover, Massachusetts, the Lapels corporation claims its dry-cleaning process has no odor and is gentler on clothes, which can lengthen the life of garments.

Lapels also offers its customers Automatic Rewards – earning them credit toward free dry cleaning for every dollar they spend – Loyalty Programs, a VIP program, the use of a 24-hour drop off service and free home delivery to all its customers.

Same-day service is also available with pick-up after 5 p.m. Lapels offers a “car hop” service where customers can drop off and pick up their clothing without ever leaving their cars.

The VIP program gives customers their own laundry bag with their name and account number so customers can just drop off their laundry without having to talk to anyone.

Delivery service is set on routes and pick-up and drop-off days are Monday and Thursdays.

“If you leave out laundry on Monday, we’ll bring it back on Thursday,” Edwards said.

Lapels of Oxford will have its grand opening on Nov. 5. Anyone who comes into the dry-cleaning store during November will have their name added into a raffle for a free pair of jeans from Blue Delta Jean.

For more information, call 662-205-6350 or visit Lapels Dry Cleaning on Facebook.