CHICAGO — Before ringing in the new year, we’re taking one last look at the year that was. These are the most popular news and feature stories posted on AmericanDrycleaner.com in 2025, based on readership views:

5. Tide Cleaners Expands to West Coast with LA Acquisition, Sept. 8

Tide Services acquired and rebranded four Flair Cleaners locations in the Los Angeles area, marking its first entry into Southern California and strengthening its coast-to-coast expansion strategy.

Jon and Megan Mut of Clean Rock Ventures own and operate the stores in Santa Monica, Redondo Beach, Studio City and Valencia. Tide Services CEO Andy Gibson says the acquisition is part of a larger wave of strategic market growth that also includes multi-unit expansions in Florida, Texas and the Midwest, positioning the company to modernize legacy businesses as independent operators reach retirement age. 

4. What’s Next for Dry Cleaners in 2025? (Conclusion), Jan. 30

In this series conclusion, Drycleaning & Laundry Institute (DLI) CEO Mary Scalco and America’s Best Cleaners (ABC) Executive Director Christopher White examined emerging opportunities for cleaners in 2025, particularly in the circular fashion economy.

With re-commerce expected to reach $73 billion in the U.S., and younger consumers embracing vintage clothing and specialty items like designer bags and sneakers, both White and Scalco stressed the urgent need for cleaners to shift their mindset beyond traditional garment care. 

3. What’s Next for Dry Cleaners in 2025? (Part 1), Jan. 23

The first installment of a three-part series examined whether industry consolidation would continue in 2025. While DLI CEO Mary Scalco predicted stabilization in the wake of an estimated 30% of drycleaning businesses having closed since the pandemic, ABC Executive Director Christopher White forecast continued consolidation driven by rising commercial rents and landlords’ reluctance to rent to cleaners after discovering the $100,000 to $150,000 cost of removing drycleaning plants. 

2. Tariffs Set to Impact Drycleaning Supply Chain, March 10

This article examined how the reinstated 25% steel tariffs and increased aluminum tariffs that were taking effect March 12 would impact the drycleaning industry.

Supply distributors warned that hangers, poly bags and paper goods would see price increases of 25% to 30%. While equipment manufacturers reported minimal current impact, industry experts recommended that cleaners temporarily increase inventory, explore domestic alternatives, and use the situation as an opportunity for long-overdue price adjustments.

1. Treasury Dept. Will Not Enforce BOI Reporting, March 5

The U.S. Treasury Department announced it would not enforce beneficial ownership information (BOI) reporting requirements under the Corporate Transparency Act for U.S. citizens or domestic reporting companies, ending months of legal uncertainty that had pushed the deadline from January 1 to March 21.

The department said it would issue a proposed rule change narrowing the scope to foreign reporting companies only, with Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent calling it “a victory for common sense” and part of President Trump’s agenda to rein in burdensome regulations for small businesses. 

For items 6-10 on this Top 10 list, click HERE.