Longtime dry cleaners to close, runs out of steam

Feb. 27—DANVILLE — For all the years that owner Robert Jackson and his daughter, Angela Caudill, have operated Custom Care Dry Cleaners in Danville, their customers have been like family.

When talking about them, Angela teared up thinking of the loyal customers and their reactions, even crying themselves, when they were told the business would be closing after almost 80 years of being in business in Danville and almost 60 years of being owned by her father.

They've seen generations of families come in and drive up to drop off and pick up items at the drive through window.

The business is closing on Friday, March 1.

It first opened in 1944.

Angela has been by her father, Robert, with the business, and took over years ago when he started having more health issues.

"We used to be busy," she said. "It's sad."

Robert has owned Custom Care Dry Cleaners since 1966.

This is the last business he owns.

He had other dry cleaners and laundromats, six locations, including in Covington, and at Logan Avenue and Main Street in Danville.

Custom Care Dry Cleaners, 320 W. Williams St., across from Lee's Chicken, was on Fairchild Street and other locations.

Robert said he's been fortunate with the community's support all these years.

"I'm glad to serve them. I appreciated everybody," he said. "It's been good over the years."

However, Robert, 80, said it's hard to keep the business going now as times have changed.

He said he had to leave due to health issues.

The business has changed a lot through the years, and when Covid hit it pressed down even more on the business, Robert said.

Utility costs have gone up. Supply costs have gone up, he said.

"It's a slowly dying business," Robert said. "It's still not enough to make ends meet."

The last customers are now picking up their clothes and saying goodbye to the business.

Robert said there's been a lot of crying.

"It's kind of rough, but things change," he said.

They did all their dry cleaning on site. No other place in town does that, he said.

They were a full dry-cleaning business, with a boiler and steam, Robert said.

Starcrest Cleaners remains in Danville.

Robert said it's been an honor to restore the gowns and other personal items people bring in.

People used to have several items dry cleaned, he said about when he started. Now it's more limited with wool coats and things, he said.

"We go with the times," he added.

The business stopped taking orders a little more than a week ago. It's up for sale.