Owners closer to retrieving their clothes from defunct Arlington cleaners

Customers of White Water Cleaners in Arlington Heights, who have been unable to retrieve their clothing since the business apparently closed for good in January, should be able to claim their possessions soon, the agent for the landlord said Tuesday.

Peter Troost said he was given possession of White Water Cleaners, in the 1800 block of South Arlington Heights Road, during eviction proceedings Tuesday.

The business has apparently been closed since early January.

Troost has contact with two separate men who operate dry cleaners who tell him they would like to take over the business.

If neither of these works out, he said he will transfer the clothing to another nearby dry cleaners and post a sign in the window.

“I am very encouraged about the prospect of a new operator coming in, and both are very experienced in the cleaning business,” he said.

Authorities believe the owners of White Water Cleaners have left the United States permanently, said Troost.

He said the owners complained their business was slow, and were given reduced rent. Still, he is amazed they would walk away from the business, leaving their equipment behind.

“Everyone has sympathy for the people who have their clothes there,” said Troost. “It's a shame people are being deprived of their property.”