Despite the grim business downturn due to COVID-19, one dry cleaners is betting on a brighter future after moving to a new, much larger location. Parkway Custom Drycleaning recently moved from Chevy Chase – where it had been for 50 years – North Bethesda, MD.
The new 10,000 square-foot facility is double that of the old location and to better fight the COVID-induced downturn, Parkway now offers 13 different services.
Owner Jon Simon said the owner of the old location wanted the area rezoned for higher density. With the new zoning, they can build 6- or 7-story building and even though no firm plan is in place, they wanted Parkway to relocate.
The old Parkway Drycleaning site is owned by Steve and Barbara Boorstein of Colorado, who also used to own the dry cleaning business, Simon said.
Simon said he bought the new property so that he could “control his own destiny.” He said three-quarters of his business is pickup and delivery and he covers most places in Montgomery County.
In addition to serving the general public, Parkway services the White House, numerous embassies, the Smithsonian, The Kennedy Center and other numerous prestigious clients, thanks to its reputation as one of the best cleaners in the Washington DC area.
The new location is at 5455 Randolph Road in Rockville, Maryland.