Even if residents in Chicago’s Chatham neighborhood don’t use Pride Cleaners for dry cleaning, most recognize the building.
A slanted roof. Mid-century style. And the iconic, colorful sign reading “PRIDE” that’s become a point of pride for the entire South Side neighborhood.
“This is a pillar,” said customer Rashawnda Cooper, who noted the building’s atomic-age, retro style sticks out.
“You don’t think it’s from Chicago,” she said.
For 60 years, the building on 79th Street and St. Lawrence Avenue has operated as a dry cleaners. It was built in the retro-style of Googie Architecture that’s more likely to be seen in places like Los Angeles.
But workers said new ownership told them that Friday would be the last full day, citing financial challenges. The building’s owners did not elaborate.
“I’m really sad,” said one longtime manager. “I’m just so sad because of the people I’m gonna miss.”
The building’s future is now uncertain, and it’s not listed as a Chicago historical landmark despite it being a cultural landmark for generations of families.
“A lot of moments of both family and neighborhood that come with this sign and this business,” said 6th Ward Ald. William Hall, who grew up coming here with his family. He plans to speak with the new owners about the building’s future.
“This is a unique design, one that would never be done again. We need to make sure we don’t have abandonment,” Hall said. “Whenever we saw Pride Cleaners, we knew we were picking up work clothes for my parents. It was a right to passage, when I got older I was able to drop off my cleaners.”
Hall said he hopes a new dry cleaning business can find a way to move in. Customers can still pick up finished orders for the next two weeks.
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