Dry cleaners and laundromats make a return

The dry-cleaning business was hard hit during the pandemic.

In early 2021, the National Cleaners Association reported that one in six dry cleaners had closed or gone bankrupt in the United States. In the East Village, 10 dry cleaners went out of business.

Perhaps the worst is behind for the owners who offer these services. E3 Cleaners recently debuted at 82 E. Third St. between First Avenue and Second Avenue. E3 offers dry cleaning, tailoring and drop-off laundry service.

Meanwhile, a combo dry cleaner-laundromat has opened at 31 Avenue A between Second Street and Third Street (thanks to Stacie Joy for this photo from Friday). This had been in the works for this NYCHA-space for some time — we first spotted this in August 2020.

A laundromat is also coming soon to 60 Avenue B between Fourth Street and Fifth Street.