New York Times: A Fabric of Life…: After nearly a quarter-century of removing stains, pressing suits and altering dresses in a storefront on Court Street in Cobble Hill, the dry cleaners known around the neighborhood as Mr. and Mrs. Oh closed the doors of their shop, Trusting Cleaners, for the last time on March 15. The couple, both in their 60s, were priced out of their storefront rental, as the story so often goes, forcing them into an early retirement.
Before their lease expired at the end of last year, their rent was $2,500 for the 1,000-square-foot space. The owner of the building offered to renew their lease for $6,500 a month — which a representative of the landlord’s law firm, Stuart I. Jacobs Law Offices, described as “a good offer†— but the Ohs could not afford to pay that much.
Many small businesses have been forced out of their neighborhoods in recent years. What is unusual about this story is the extent to which the Ohs, a husband and wife from Korea who worked at the shop six days a week, mostly 12 hours a day, often with the help of their two children, are beloved by the neighborhood. About 250 people are expected to attend a celebration for the Ohs that will be held this afternoon at 3 at the Kane Street Synagogue.
Photo: New York Times
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