Capitol Cleaners closes after 3 generations of family ownership
When walking into Capitol Cleaners, it doesn’t take patrons long to see the history of the building — and the family that owns it — adorning the walls.
From historical photos to a Steelers sign, the small storefront tells the history of over 80 years of business and the three generations of family owners who oversaw it.
Now, the building and its current owner, Dean Pikoulas, look to move into the next phase of their lives. The business, which is the last dry cleaners in Butler city, had its last day of regular operation Tuesday, June 30.
Pikoulas, 73, said he is closing the doors and looking to rent the property as he plans to enjoy time with his family while avoiding the risk of the laborious job ruining his health as he grows older.
Capitol Cleaners first opened its doors in the 1940s under founder George Pikoulas. He moved to Butler from war-tattered Europe and opened the first location at 110 N. Main St.
“It’s real narrow, but that’s where my grandfather actually opened up. Initially, he had the equipment on the second floor, and they had racks wrapped the whole length of the building. There was so much business at that time because everybody wore suits,” Dean Pikoulas said.
On the wall of Capitol Cleaners was a sign from that era of the business. Pikoulas said it was found by Chop Shop owner Bill Atkinson in a connected basement.
“This was on the door (connecting the basements) covering a hole. He tore it off and saw this, and he had it displayed in the front of his building. My wife saw it and said ‘we got to go over and see if we can get that from them,’” he said.
In the decades between its opening and closing, the business changed both hands and locations. George Pikoulas passed it down to his son, William Pikoulas, who eventually handed it over to his son, Dean. The business also relocated to its final address, 266 New Castle Road.
But Dean Pikoulas does not consider the success of Capitol Cleaners to be the owners’ doing alone. Instead, he views it as a family effort.
A picture of Mary Pikoulas — Dean’s late mother — sits above the entrance to the back of the house. He said she worked at the cleaners everyday until the day she died.
“I say hello to her every morning,” Dean Pikoulas said.
From the time of the business’ founding until now, Dean Pikoulas said the industry has changed dramatically — especially in recent years.
“Things are getting so expensive with supplies. I had my dry cleaning fluid jump 30% in one year. Everything’s going up. I was getting things from Canada and I couldn’t even get them anymore because of tariffs,” he said.
He said the COVID-19 pandemic was a death knell for many dry cleaning businesses as they lost out on most of their customers through the lockdown.
“Everybody was staying home and a lot of people were staying home and working. So they weren’t getting dressed,” Pikoulas said.
He said business remained fairly strong as Capitol Cleaners slowly became the last remaining dry cleaners within the city limits.
“When Hutchinson's Dry Cleaners closed a couple of years ago, I got bombarded. I had to control the flow of things coming in. At that time, I wouldn’t do draperies, comforters or all that, just regular dry cleaning. I’ve continued that to this point,” he said.
Pikoulas said he is trying to market the building rather than the business because he believes it has become too challenging to make a profit.
“Equipment is so expensive anymore. I bought new equipment maybe 20 years ago. I told my uncle what the cost of some of the equipment was and he said ‘no, there’s no way.’ A pressing machine used to be $200 or $300,” he said.
He said the most important thing was that the business was enough to put food on the table through three generations.
Dean Pikoulas said ever since he shifted the business toward wrapping up, he is feeling a lot better physically and mentally.
“Going through this process right now has had a calming effect. My blood pressure has actually dropped because of that. It’s because I don’t have to worry about getting up early and getting the machines going,” he said.
He said it has been hard telling his customers — especially his regulars — that they’ll need to look for a new dry cleaner, especially considering he was the last of six dry cleaners that once operated in the city.
“The only place they could go at this point is the Giant Eagle in Moraine Pointe Plaza,” he said.
Pikoulas thanked his wife for being his rock throughout the years. He said he will enjoy the amount of time and activities the two of them will get together.
“We can do things during the week now that otherwise I’d have to close for the week or leave on a Thursday or Friday and do things over the weekend. Now, I can relax a little bit better, and we don’t have to plan things around this,” he said.
He said most importantly, he wanted to express his thanks for all the customers who gave their business to him and his family over the years.
“They’ve fed my family and put food on the table for how many years. There’s so many nice people I’ve run into. Even going through the process now, somebody brought me flowers, somebody brought me champagne. It’s just been really nice, the appreciation they’re showing me,” Pikoulas said.
At the end of the day, he said he did the best job he possibly could for his customers — and there’s not much more you can ask from a person but their best.
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Dean Pikoulas, owner of Capitol Cleaners in Butler, talks about different memories of the long-running and popular dry cleaning spot on its last day of business Tuesday, June 30. Justin Guido/Special to the Eagle
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An old Capitol Cleaners sign is on display as Dean Pikoulas, owner of Capitol Cleaners in Butler, talks about different memories of the long-running and popular dry cleaning spot on the last day of business Tuesday, June 30. Justin Guido/Special to the Eagle
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Dean Pikoulas, owner of Capitol Cleaners in Butler, talks about different memories of the long-running and popular dry cleaning spot on its last day of business Tuesday, June 30. Justin Guido/Special to the Eagle
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Dean Pikoulas, owner of Capitol Cleaners in Butler, talks about different memories of the long-running and popular dry cleaning spot on its last day of business Tuesday, June 30. Justin Guido/Special to the Eagle
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Dean Pikoulas, owner of Capitol Cleaners in Butler, talks to a customer on the last day of business Tuesday, June 30. Justin Guido/Special to the Eagle
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Dean Pikoulas, owner of Capitol Cleaners in Butler, talks about different memories of the long-running and popular dry cleaning spot on its last day of business Tuesday, June 30. Justin Guido/Special to the Eagle
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Dean Pikoulas, owner of Capitol Cleaners in Butler, talks about different memories as it was a long-running and popular dry cleaning spot as it was their last day of business on Tuesday, June 30. Justin Guido/Special to the Eagle
