Carlos Cadenas wants to boost the odds of success for job seekers who are down on their luck.

The Guatemalan native is offering free dry cleaning for the unemployed at his new ZIPS Dry Cleaners in Columbia, to help job applicants make a good first impression.

“We have been blessed throughout these rough economic times, so I want to do this for the community,” said Cadenas, who opened his store Dec. 28 on Little Patuxent Parkway, between Gov. Warfield Parkway and Harpers Farm Road.

Cadenas is also a co-founder of the ZIPS franchise, which started in Rockville in 2001, and also owns the Falls Church, Va., location.

“How somebody looks reflects the type of employee they will be,” he said. “If you look nice and clean and sharp, that’s the type of job you will do.”

Those seeking the free dry cleaning must present documentation that proves they are unemployed and looking for a job, he said. In return, they are allowed to have three garments cleaned each week. There are no exclusions on the type of garments accepted, and he said the offer will last as long as the economy remains bad.

The ZIPS franchise was begun with eight stores that once belonged to an 11-store chain known as Dry Clean Depot, Cadenas said. In 2001 those locations joined together to form ZIPS, which now has 23 stores in Maryland, Washington, Virginia and Pennsylvania.

The corporate office allows franchise owners to decide if they want to participate in the free dry cleaning program, he noted.

Cadenas said business has been good at the Columbia location since he opened, and he was surprised this past weekend when people kept coming into the store despite the snow.

The Fairfax, Va., resident and father of four said he doesn’t mind his two-hour commute to work, though he and wife Leda are considering moving to Howard County.

“Columbia is a unique place,” he said. “It’s different because it feels more like a community with all the villages. It’s a good place to be.”

Cadenas said a few people have taken advantage of his offer so far and they make a point to say “thanks.”

“I’m doing this in good faith,” he said. “I just want to trust and to help.”

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