Cardinal Cleaners, a 69-year-old Des Moines business, is closing

The Des Moines Register

Cardinal Cleaners & Laundry, a longtime Des Moines dry cleaning company, is closing.

Joe Saluri Jr. and his brother, James Saluri, have operated the business at its current location, 1245 21st St. in Des Moines, for 43 years. They purchased Cardinal Cleaners from their parents, who opened the business in 1950.

The Saluris plan to accept items for cleaning until Nov. 23. All orders should be claimed by Dec. 10.

Joe Saluri Jr., 72, said his brother is undergoing major back surgery, and that he will be unable to continue the business by himself, so he is retiring.

Joe and Jim Saluri have been cleaning and pressing clothes at Cardinal Cleaners, located at 1245 21st St. in Des Moines, for 48 years — from their teenage years through grandfatherhood.

"We're here a lot of times 12 hours a day and without him I just can't keep it open," he said. "I thought it would be time to wind it down."

The brothers are looking to sell their business or its 2,200-square-foot building, which overlaps the Carpenter and Drake neighborhoods.

Editor's note: This story has been updated to reflect when customers' orders should be claimed before the business closes.

Kim Norvell covers growth and development for the Register. Reach her at knorvell@dmreg.com or 515-284-8259.

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