Durham Cleaners

About this location

A few stories people tell about this place

1. A regular dropped by Durham Cleaners one morning to pick up his shirts and found something peculiar in the corner of the counter—a small envelope with his name scribbled on it. Curious, he opened it to discover a handwritten note reading: ‘Your clothes are cleaner than your conscience—come back tomorrow.’ The next day, he returned, only to find another note: 'Your pants are whiter than your smile—bring us your secrets!' Turns out, Durham Cleaners had a sense of humour as sharp as their starch.

2. At dawn, when most people were still dreaming, a delivery driver pulled up to Durham Cleaners with an unusual package. The owner, Mr. Jenkins, eyed it curiously as he unlocked the door. Inside was a strange bundle wrapped in old newspapers. As Mr. Jenkins unwrapped it, he found a suit that looked like it had been worn for decades—complete with a tiny note saying ‘please clean carefully.’ Turns out, it belonged to someone’s great-grandfather who’d left it here accidentally years ago. With a smile, Mr. Jenkins hung it back on its original hanger and whispered, ‘Welcome home, old friend.’

3. At dawn, when most people were still dreaming, a delivery driver pulled up to Durham Cleaners with an unusual package. The sign on the van read: ‘Special Order: Return Clean Shirts With Original Folds Intact or Face Double Charge.’ The next morning, as the sun was rising, the same delivery driver returned with shirts perfectly folded—even more precisely than before. A note attached said: 'Mission Accomplished! Now please stop folding my shirts like origami.'

4. At dawn, when most people were still dreaming, a delivery driver pulled up to Durham Cleaners with an unusual package. The owner, Mr. Jenkins, eyed it suspiciously as he took it inside. Inside, Mr. Jenkins found not just any garment but a strange old suit wrapped in brown paper. Curious, he carefully unwrapped it and discovered that the pants had been meticulously pressed—and even had tiny stars sewn onto the pockets. Turns out, it was a prank from a neighbor who loved practical jokes. Everyone laughed, and Durham Cleaners became known for its ‘starry’ service.