The above picture is of Harry Weber working at Citizen Dry Cleaners in the 1940’s. JON WEBB | PHOTO

Many of the citizens of New Carlisle will still remember Citizen Dry Cleaner that was located at 104 S. Main Street. However, few may remember its original location on Jefferson Street.

On Friday, November 8, 1929, Citizen Dry Cleaner opened its door at 105 W. Jefferson Street in the old Standard Tire Repair Shop. Miss Lona Smith of New Carlisle managed the store. The store was a success and serviced the entire area for 16 years at that location.

In June of 1945 the business was purchased by Joseph H. Bostwick and Harry Weber and was moved to the South Main Street location. The new location was much larger and was able to better meet the needs of their customers.

The building was expanded a couple times with a drive-in service window installed at the rear of the building in 1956. The business continued at the location for 40 years, until 1985 when the building caught fire.

Through the years the business changed hands several times including the Harry Weber and Joe Bostwick selling the business to Virgil Monteith in the late 1940’s. In 1953, Mr. Monteith purchased the state-of-the-art dry cleaner equipment (“Two Bath” technology that used Chloretheleyne Solvent) that lead to faster and better results. The technology helped bring on the 1-hour service for customers. The new technology was unique for the area, which facilitated visits from other dry cleaner owners throughout the state and in parts of Indiana.

Later years the business was resold to Tim and Laura Robertson and operated there until August 1, 1985 when the building caught fire causing major fire and smoke damage to the building. On October 17, 1985, Richard Brandt sold the building to Bernard and Shirley McWhorter, which was already operating a television repair shop at 106 S. Main.

The McWhorter’s moved the dry cleaners to next door in that same year and renamed it Shirley’s Cleaners.

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