Pickleball breaks are a priority at L’Nique Specialty Linen: Top Workplaces 2024

VALLEY VIEW, Ohio — Fun is mandatory at L’Nique Specialty Linen. The 75 staffers pause to hit around a volleyball, or roll Oreos into cups of milk or mustard, or play Plinko or pickleball.

Then it’s back to work in the factory, making sure the linen is stitched to perfection, properly washed and ironed, placed on hangers, wrapped in plastic, and loaded onto trucks for deliveries.

The L’Nique showroom/warehouse has been servicing Northeast Ohio since 1998 and provides various types of specialty linen for weddings, corporate events, private parties, etc. Items for rent include an array of colorful tablecloths, overlays, napkins, charger plates, table runners, placemats, chair covers, sashes, and accessories.

Co-owners Angela Klodnick and Deidre Docman were already friends when they started the business 25 years ago. They often tease that they have been around each other for so long that occasionally, they can finish each other’s sentences.

L’Nique, which last year won third place in the Top Workplaces small business competition last year, started in Klodnick’s kitchen. As the company grew, it moved into a 16,000-square-foot brick-and-mortar building. This year, it’s moved up to second place.

When the duo decided to expand, they both agreed that a family-oriented environment was essential for them to make the business a success.

For the 2024 Top Workplaces list, cleveland.com and the Plain Dealer compiled more than 200 stand-out Northeast Ohio employers based on employee surveys. Find the full list and stories on the top three winners in each of four categories at cleveland.com/top-workplaces.

“Well, to start with, Deidre and I started this business to create a family culture specifically,” Klodnick said. “So, we treat everyone like family, we have events, we celebrate all of their life’s events with them inside and out, you know, whether they are celebrating a special birthday or having a work anniversary. This whole business is about celebrating our employees outside of satisfying our clients. We have what we call the three F’s. It’s fun, flexibility, and family.”

Winnette Martinez says the camaraderie is like nothing like she’s experienced before in the workplace. In addition to the friendly atmosphere and pickleball breaks, the company offers opportunities to move around the organization.

“I’m just a trainer,” Martinez said. “So, I work with almost everybody. It’s also important to point out the flexibility. I have a 14-year-old son, so if school calls, and I have to go; I feel comfortable going into the office and saying, I have an emergency and must leave. And the response is just taking care of it.”

There’s only a little turnover at L’Nique, so there are not many openings. Many employees have worked there for over 20 years, but when an opportunity comes along to hire, the candidate really needs to be a good fit.

“Personality is No. 1,” Klodnick said. “A fun-loving person who gets along well with others. We will then see if they have the skills to do the job. You know, I think a lot of things you can teach people about anything, but if they’re not a good person, you can’t go further with that.”