Garcia's Cleaners celebrates 100 years

The company opened in 1909 at 191 W. Congress St., with family patriarch Margarito Garcia running the entire thing himself. At the time, it was an alterations business called Tucson Tailoring Co. that did a little cleaning on the side.

Garcia's original tailoring shop was in Hermosillo, Sonora, and he traveled to Tucson to buy material for that shop. He stayed in Tucson after the Mexican Revolution and used $25 to buy some sewing machines, a hot plate and an iron to begin his business here.

Now the company is run by his granddaughter, Barbara Cariño and her son, Eddie Escalante, who says his proudest moment came last fall when the business was recognized for lifetime achievement during Minority Enterprise Development week.

Cariño says she's just proud the business has lasted all these years.

Local dignitaries, including U.S. Rep. Raúl Grijalva and representatives from the governor's office, Councilman Steve Leal's office and the Tucson Metropolitan Chamber of Commerce, were slated to appear at the open house, with the mayor's office giving a special proclamation to Garcia's.

business timeline

1909:

Margarito Garcia opens Tucson Tailoring Co. at 191 W. Congress St.

1911:

Garcia gets married and moves the business to 166 S. Meyer St., renaming it Garden City.

1932:

Garcia's sons, Roberto and Henry, join the business, which moves again to 72 S. Meyer Ave. and again changes names, this time to Garcia and Sons Dry Cleaning.

1952:

Margarito Garcia dies. Roberto and Henry move to a larger location at 159 S. Main Ave. and add a drive-through facility.

1968:

Urban renewal efforts force the business to relocate again. The brothers are paid $105,000 for the trouble. They split the money and Henry leaves the company. Roberto reopens in the present location at 205 E. 22nd St.

1984:

Roberto Garcia retires, and his daughter, Barbara Cariño takes over. She still runs the business with her son, Eddie Escalante.