Syracuse Dry Cleaners has been a landmark at its current location since 1995 when it moved from across the street from where Babes & Combs is currently located. The business has been in the Benson family for approximately 42 years.

Syracuse Dry Cleaners has been a downtown Syracuse staple for approximately 42 years; however, it will be closing its doors Saturday, May 9.

“Times have changed,” said Pam Benson, who currently operates the business along with her husband, Jim, noting people do not dry clean like they used to.

The business — originally on the other side of Huntington Street where Babes & Combs is now located — was founded by Jim’s parents, Warren and Miriam “Pat” Benson, in 1973. The pair ran the business for about 27 years before handing over the reins to Jim and Pam, who have been operating it for 15 years.

“Warren worked two jobs until he got (the dry cleaners) fully up and running,” Pam said, noting he worked at a trailer factory and another dry cleaners. “Pat was more of the bookkeeper.”

Its current location, 701 N. Huntington St., formerly housed the Syracuse Post Office from the ’50s until it moved to its current location in the early ’90s. Pam noted after the post office moved, someone used the building for storage before Warren purchased it and moved the dry cleaners across the street in 1995.

Syracuse Dry Cleaners will continue to accept dry cleaning during regular business hours up until May 9 when it will officially close. The building, Pam stated, has already been sold.

“We’d like to thank the town and our customers for their support all these years,” Pam said, adding she’d also like to thank current and past employees, including TaLisa Nida, Sue Lindsey and Phyllis Fackler, for all their help.