About Wilmette Tailors and Cleaners
Rita and Kurt
Welcome to our neighborhood!
Wilmette Tailor & Cleaners was established in 1931 by Larry & his wife Madelyn Schaefer.
The original location was 2 doors north of its current location.
In 1946 Larry purchased the property at the current location of 819 Ridge Rd and built the building specifically for a dry cleaning plant. It was built by a local builder named Martin Brown.
The building was the first in this area to have a drive up window, that being so a man named Harlin Edwards, president of the Wilmette State bank inquired about the drive up service saying that the bank is interested in doing the same.
Larry and Madelyn Schaefer
Larry and son Peter Schaefer worked together in the business until Larry’s retirement in 1970.
Present owner Kurt joined his stepfather in 1978 and Rita in 1981. Peter retired in 1983 and lives in California & Colorado.
Kurt & Rita own and operate the plant as your old-fashioned Mom & Pop shop and will do so until their retirement.
Kurt and Rita with Pete Schaefer
Over the years we have established many loyal customers. We cherish the friendships we have made and look forward to new friends in the future.
We take pride in the service we provide in our community. We love our jobs, and enjoy doing business in a small town environment.
Watch to see how we take extra care of your sweaters.
Watch to see what extra steps we go to with dry cleaning pants.
Original garment bag circa 1940s
We were honored to receive the Wilmette Business of the Year Award in 2000
Wilmette Tailors & Cleaners in 2000