Press Release: Oceanside Cleaners Opens Third Florida Location to Expand Footprint and Accommodate Growth
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
December 1, 2025
Family-owned business defies industry trends and challenges by focusing on customer service and innovation
JACKSONVILLE, FLA.—(December 1, 2025)—Despite the dry cleaning industry’s steady decline nationwide, Florida-based Oceanside Cleaners recently opened a third location at 3915 A1A South in St. Augustine, Fla., at the former site of South Beach Cleaners. The company also has storefronts in Jacksonville and Ponte Vedra Beach.
“I believe the ticket to our continued success has been our 35-year, unwavering commitment to impeccable quality and customer service,” says Mike Harris, co-owner of Oceanside Cleaners along with his wife Amy, son Mark and daughter Clare. “Our customers know we go out of our way to meet their expectations, so not only are they loyal to us, but they spread the word through five-star reviews that have helped grow our business, year after year.”
Oceanside is a bit of an anomaly in the U.S. dry cleaning and laundry services industry, which shrank from nearly 40,000 private establishments in 2002 to fewer than 28,000 in 2024, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. Trends such as “fast fashion,” work-from-home and more casual attire in the workplace have contributed to a decline in consumers’ use of professional dry cleaning. Meanwhile, dry cleaners have had to adjust to regulatory changes such as a 2024 ban on certain dry cleaning solvents and 2025 tariffs that raised the cost of imported supplies like wire hangers and garment bags.
Oceanside has worked to anticipate and adapt to challenges like these, while staying focused on their main selling point: excellent, high-end service for every customer. Here are a few examples:
Early adoption of environmentally safe cleaning — In 2001, Oceanside became one of the first dry cleaners in the U.S. to eliminate harmful cleaning agents. It uses 100% eco-friendly processes, including safer cleaning products, water-conserving equipment, hanger recycling, reusable garment bags and a barcode system rather than paper tickets for tracking customer items. Oceanside has been Green-Council Certified since 2013 and took first place in a 2020 international competition for the CINET Global Best Practices Awards.
“We see these steps as a commitment to the health of our employees, who are not exposed to dangerous chemicals,” says Harris. “They are also an investment in our community because we are doing our part to preserve the environment where we live. Our customers appreciate that effort.”
Crowd-pleasing self-service kiosks and lockers for after-hours convenience — Oceanside’s modern 24/7 self-service kiosks and lockers allow customers to pick up or drop off items at their convenience, even after hours. These kiosks are so popular that Oceanside added a second machine in Ponte Vedra and recently installed one at its Southside (Jacksonville) location.
Award-winning bridal gown services — Oceanside’s bridal gown services have earned a Best of Weddings Award for eight straight years from The Knot, an online wedding planning platform. Winners are selected based on The Knot user reviews of wedding service providers, with Oceanside receiving 125 five-star reviews for services such as bridal gown alterations, pressing and post-wedding cleaning and preservation.
Specialized cleaning services for designer garments and professional sports events — Oceanside has looked for opportunities to excel at niche services that expand their customer base. That includes designer garment services where trained specialists formulate cleaning solutions that preserve each item’s fit, finish, trim and construction. The company also provided daily laundering and pressing of the garments worn by professional golfers in The Players Tournament in Ponte Vedra this spring.
“With our innovative methods and equipment, loyal customers and new opportunities to specialize, a third location seemed like the logical next step,” says Mark Harris, who will be managing the St. Augustine store. “The people of St. Augustine are fantastic, and we’re very excited to have the opportunity to serve their community.”
The company will celebrate with a grand opening at a future date.
About Oceanside Cleaners
Oceanside Cleaners is a family-owned and operated business that has served Jacksonville, the
beaches and St. Augustine for 35 years. Services include dry cleaning, wash and fold, designer garment cleaning, shirt laundering, care of household items and award-winning wedding gown cleaning and preservation.
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For further information, contact:
Jené Leiner – Partner, The Cypress Group, jene@growwithcypress.com.