Familiar Face - Donna Guerra

Donna Guerra has been the cheerful face behind the counter at Boulder Cleaners in the Jerry Sinor building on 79th Street in Niwot's Cottonwood Square shopping center for 32 years.

Guerra began working at the shop in 1991 when it was owned by Rozanne Penka, and known as Sew-Clean Shoppe. Although Penka sold the business several years later, Guerra continued to work at the shop for the new owners. Penka, who was a familiar face in the cleaners business for many years, continues to do alterations and sewing for customers of the shop.

When Bill and Susan Ellwood purchased the cleaners from Penka, they changed the name to Boulder Cleaners, since they also owned the Boulder Cleaners shop in Gunbarrel. Guerra continued to be the face of the business at both locations after the ownership change, and continues to manage both shops after the Ellwoods sold the business to Nick and Jennifer Markiewicz of Fort Collins.

Guerra lives in Longmont with her husband Jeff. When she's not managing the Boulder Cleaners, she devotes time to her hobby, making flowers with six-inch petals decorated with tiny glass diamonds. Although she enjoys her hobby, and her collection continues to grow, Guerra does not plan to sell her art work despite several offers.

She said she looks forward to seeing her customers and has gotten to know them and their families over the years. Dylan Pauly-Beckstedt, an employee of Boulder Cleaners who primarily works at the Gunbarrel location said, "Donna has been here so long she knows everybody by their cars when they drive up."

Guerra is not only cherished by her customers but also by her co-workers. Jesus Ramirez, another familiar face at Boulder Cleaners in Niwot said, "Donna has always been wonderful to me." Pauly-Beckstedt agrees, "Donna trained me and she was great."

With her infectious smile and personal touch, customers know she is caring and has a great sense of humor. No one believes the "Careful, I'm Grumpy" quote on her shirt.