Lang
1/8/22
Another longtime Iowa City business is closing its doors, citing the current coronavirus pandemic.
Varsity Cleaners has announced it will be ceasing operations later this month after 106 years of being in business. Owner Dave Geasland told Little Village that business for dry-cleaners had already been in decline for the last decade, and that the pandemic finally “totally destroyed” it. Geasland said the pandemic immediately cut his business in half, and it never rebounded. He added that not being able to find help also hurt his ability to stay open.
Varsity Cleaners will still be accepting clothes for dry cleaning through Friday. Customers have until January 21st to pick up their items.
Varsity Cleaners is the latest iconic Iowa City business to close its doors during the pandemic. Last month, developer Mark Moen applied for a demolition permit for the building that once housed The Mill on East Burlington Street after the popular restaurant and live music club shuttered during the early days of Covid-19. The Union Bar also closed early in the pandemic after 27 years in operation.