A historic local brand in downtown St. Joseph is going away at the end of business today—to be replaced by another well-known Michiana brand in the dry-cleaning industry.
Sanitary Cleaners—owned by the Fetters family for more than 100 years—is selling its local dry-cleaning business to Ziker Cleaners of South Bend/Mishawaka. Owners of both say the transition will be ‘seamless.’ Sanitary’s three locations (State Street downtown, Niles Avenue, & Stevensville) will close Friday, November 1 and open Monday morning November 4 as Ziker Cleaners.
Jeff Fetters of Sanitary and John Mertes, of Ziker Cleaners made the announcement in a joint statement:
Sanitary Dry Cleaners, a long-standing local business serving the St. Joseph/Benton Harbor community for over 100 years announced they are being acquired by Ziker Cleaners, a leading provider of dry cleaning and laundry services in the South Bend region. The acquisition marks a significant milestone for both companies, bringing together two family-owned businesses that share a commitment to quality, customer service, and community involvement. Sanitary Dry Cleaners has been a staple in the St. Joseph/Benton Harbor for generations, offering exceptional dry cleaning and laundry services to the local community.
“We are thrilled to welcome Sanitary Dry Cleaners into the Ziker Cleaners family,” said John Mertes, of Ziker Cleaners. “Sanitary Dry Cleaners has a long-standing reputation for excellence, and we are honored to continue their legacy of providing top-notch service to the local community.”
As part of the acquisition, Ziker Cleaners will maintain Sanitary Dry Cleaners’ current locations and staff, ensuring a seamless transition for customers. Additionally, Ziker Cleaners plans to invest in upgrades to the facility and expand its service offerings to better meet the needs of the community.
“We believe this acquisition is a win-win for everyone involved,” said Jeff Fetters, President and owner of Sanitary Dry Cleaners. “Ziker Cleaners shares our commitment to quality and customer satisfaction, as well as a partner in the community. We are confident they will continue to provide exceptional service to our loyal customers. We want to thank our customers for supporting us throughout the years.”
Sanitary Cleaners will close at the end of business on Friday, November 1st and Ziker will open for business on Monday, November 4th.
About Sanitary Dry Cleaners
Sanitary Dry Cleaners has been a family-owned and operated business in Southwest Michigan for over 100 years. Founded in 1921, Sanitary Cleaners has delivered exceptional customer service for three generations. The company provides multiple services, including dry cleaning, shirt laundry, wash and fold laundry. With three convenient locations, Sanitary Cleaners also offers pickup and delivery services.
About Ziker Cleaners
Ziker is a family-owned full-service Dry Cleaner based in Mishawaka, IN. They have served South Bend/Mishawaka and the surrounding communities for more than 107 years. They are a customer driven business with a long history of community service and involvement. The company is committed to providing exceptional garment care, using the latest technology and modern processes. They offer custom garment tailoring at most locations and utilize the safest, most environmentally friendly cleaning processes. They also offer free home and office delivery.
