Happy National Dry Cleaning Day: A family dedicated to cleaning your most precious items

Meurice was founded in 1961 by Larry Edelman. For 59 years, Meurice has not only been growing as a company but as a family. In 1985, Larry's son Wayne took over the business to continue his father's legacy. In addition to Wayne being able to preserve Meurice's meticulous processes, we've attracted new customers and maintained loyalists from opening day. 

You may think that Meurice created dry cleaning because of the 59 years of experience, but shockingly it was invented during the Roman Empire. Archeologists spotted remains of dry cleaning stores in the ruins of Pompeii. Remnants of a mixture were found at the ruins that contained clay, lye, and ammonia; it was used to wash out dirt and sweat from delicate fabrics. Fast forward a few thousand years, and a patent was invented in 1821 on March 3rd by Thomas L. Jennings. It was a historic moment because Jennings was the first person of color to have any patent approved. His success, however, came with obstacles, one of which was his opponents who made false claims to stop his patent from being passed. Unfortunately, if it weren't for the 1836 fire that destroyed Jennings' patent, further launderers in the 19th century would know not to use turpentine, benzene, and/or gasoline as solvents to dry clean clothes.

Today, we combine state-of-the-art technology with artisanal craftsmanship to make sure your garments, bridal wear and home interior look as flawless as the day you got them. We are endlessly advancing our methods while maintaining our family values so you can feel at ease every time.” (“About: Our Vision.” Meurice, www.meurice.nyc/about.)