Name of business: Carr’s Cleaners
Type of business: Professional wet cleaning, laundry and linen rental
Location: 500 E. Main St. and 2924 Geer Road
Hours: 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. Monday through Friday; 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday
Contact information: 209-667-5300 (Main Street) or 209-634-0870 (Geer Road)
Specialty: Eco-friendly wet cleaning
History of business:
It’s been 40 years since Harry Boucher purchased Carr’s Cleaners, and to celebrate, the longtime Turlock business is giving back to its customers.
On Wednesday, Carr’s Cleaners is providing customers with a myriad of deals, including the chance to have four items cleaned for $4 — just $1 per item — or any size comforter cleaned for $20. Those who stop in on Wednesday can also have four pounds of clothing washed and folded for $4, and can grab giveaways like car air fresheners and snacks while dropping off or picking up their laundry.
The specials are meant to celebrate Carr’s Cleaners 40th anniversary under the Boucher family, but to also let the business’ nearly 1,000 repeat customers know that they are appreciated.
“I’ve got customers still that were coming to us when we bought it 40 years ago. They’re great customers and it’s so much fun,” Boucher said.
Boucher and his wife Sandy Boucher purchased Carr’s Cleaners from Bill and Blanch Carr in 1979, just over 30 years after the couple originally opened the business in 1945. The business has undergone plenty of changes since then, Boucher said, like moving from its original West Main Street building in 1986 to the current drive-thru location at 500 E. Main St, and opening up another location on Geer Road.
Most recently, the business has proven to be a leader in technology and innovation by switching to professional wet cleaning — a non-toxic, environmentally safe alternative to traditional dry cleaning which uses computer-controlled washing machines, moisture sensing dryers, biodegradable soaps, softeners and conditioners and specialized pressing equipment that’s safe for virtually all fabric and fiber types.
The process is solvent-free and cleans just as well, and in many cases better, than dry cleaning, Boucher said, leaving customers with fresh, clean clothes.
“It’s nice to put on a nice, clean shirt or a crisp blouse, dress or pants,” Boucher said.
Since overtaking the business, the Bouchers have also implemented same-day and next-day service, and also run delivery routes to Atwater, Merced, Turlock and Modesto. Carr’s Cleaners has also made a point to give back throughout its tenure under the Bouchers, dry cleaning 35,000 coats throughout the last 35 years for Westside Ministries’ annual Coats 4 Kids drive.
The Bouchers this year were inspired to provide special cleaning services for customers as an anniversary celebration after they did something similar when moving to East Main Street in 1986, Boucher said.
“We had a sale then and priced everything as close as we could to 1945 prices, and we had so many customers it took us something like two weeks to finish all of the clothes,” he said. “We thought we’d duplicate that this week and it looks like it’s going to be a big one.”
