Manhattan Beach COVID Casualty: Whale Of A Wash Closes Its Doors

Liz Spear
·1 min read

MANHATTAN BEACH, CA — Manhattan Beach Patch can confirm that Whale of a Wash in Downtown Manhattan Beach has closed its doors. The pandemic proved too much for the business, stealing away its dry cleaning and fluff and fold accounts as people no longer needed to look good in office attire or wear fashionable clothes to go out for the evening or needed clean towels and such for their hair or nail salon, yoga business, spa or gym.

Located at 1209 Manhattan Avenue since 1980, Whale of a Wash has long served the needs of neighbors and community members. Current Owner Robert Oakley has not taken a paycheck since COVID-19 shutdowns began in March and he had to layoff his employees, according to a post on GoFundMe.com.

A Manhattan Beach Patch reader sounded the bad news today with a Neighbor Post. "The Whale of a Wash laundromat is closing its doors for good after being there for more than 40 years. Another victim of the virus. Another mom and pop business closes. Sad news. So many small businesses are hanging by a nail in California. Heaven help us."

This article originally appeared on the Manhattan Beach Patch