Clean no more

my neighborhood cleaners closed its door

08/02/2011 1:04 AM

By Bonnie McGrath

6 Comments - Add Your Comment


A dark and empty Grant Park Cleaners (photo by Bonnie McGrath)

My little cleaners in the little building (twin of the Starbucks) on the "Jewel-Osco" block at Roosevelt between State and Wabash suddenly emptied out and left. All the shirts and coats and skirts (not to mention pillows, comforters and wedding dresses) which used to line the square glass building's windows like window treatment were moved to another location. The counters and fixtures and hangers dismantled. The place is dark and deserted.


They never got a good Yelp Review (save one) but they were a nice neighborhood landmark. Someone even wrote a bad one yesterday complaining about the sudden noticeless closing, requiring traveling quite a ways to pick up his pants that were there for repair of a torn pocket.

Although I hardly ever have anything cleaned or repaired, I am going to miss them. Because that's where I went when I needed something cleaned or repaired. And I also liked passing by and seeing the commerce going on inside. They were also very nice about hanging signs for neighborhood events, political candidates and important notices.

However, I will admit that the last few times I needed something a little extra done--cleaning red paint off of a white down coat and the repair of pockets and lining of my daughter's expensive wool coat--it was a no go. They just couldn't do it. Even though they'd done hard jobs like that in the past. They admitted those things were too much for them (perhaps there was new management; I could never figure it out) and I had to go to a cleaner in one of the buildings at 9th and State that was highly recommended for "hard" jobs.

Years ago, I had one of those standard disagreements with the cleaner at 8th and State and never went back and and still wouldn't now--if they're even still there. I can't remember what the dispute was about but I decided I wouldn't go there. And so I won't.

Through the years, many people recommended Roosevelt Cleaners on Printers Row (named after Roosevelt University) and many people recommeded a cleaner on Wabash, slightly south of Roosevelt, but I always liked walking across the street to Grant Park Cleaners.

I did ask them to fix an erratic zipper on a winter jacket several months ago--and they did it for free! Which was very charming. I am going to miss them. I wonder what kind of business, if any, will take their place.


6 Comments - Add Your Comment



By Chris from South Loop
Posted: 08/26/2011 10:56 AM

Thank you for your assistance - I will try that location today.


By Bonnie McGrath from South Loop
Posted: 08/26/2011 10:09 AM

Chris, from what I understand, the Grant Park cleaners is still doing business in an already-existing cleaners in the strip shopping mall where Dominick\'s is at Canal and Roosevelt.


By Chris from SOUTH LOOP
Posted: 08/26/2011 9:36 AM

TO MY DISMAY I ONLY DISCOVER TODAY THAT THE DOORS WERE CLOSED WITH NO INDICATION OF WHERE I SHOULD GO TO PICK UP MY CLOTHES. CAN ANYONE HELP ME?


By Fluffy de Crossharbour from Winnetka
Posted: 08/04/2011 11:19 AM

B: We ALWAYS use the cleaners, and we have been through many. However, we found a lovely couple in Wilmette. The ones in Winnetka absolutely gouged us. I think they're all related and came to the U.S. intending to become millionaires armed with cleaning solution and the sole ability to overcharge.


By Mike Bleier from All
Posted: 08/03/2011 8:10 PM

Hi Bonnie, Sorry in advance for the shameless ad, but it is applicable! :) My name is Mike, the owner of Drive Cleaning. We're an eco-friendly dry cleaner that offers free pickup and delivery. We'd love the opportunity to win your business! And I think we'd be even more convenient than the cleaner across the street, as we'll pickup and deliver right to your door at no extra charge. Please check us out at www.drivecleaning.com!


By Judy Marcus from Palatine
Posted: 08/02/2011 11:55 AM

I don't use cleaners very often. I put almost everything in the washer--even sweaters. But when I went looking for a cleaners with a tailor recently, a couple of them were gone. Owning a cleaning business must be tough in this economic environment.