About Max I. Walker
Max I. Walker Cleaners was founded by Max I. Walker on March 17, 1917. It primarily catered to upper-class (carriage trade) customers with a main counter serving cash-and-carry customers.
A dozen years later, the growth of the business was slowed by the stock market crash of 1929. But the company was built on a sound financial structure and managed to compete well in the dry cleaning industry by keeping commitments to both creditors and valued employees.
By 1945, Max I. Walker had grown to 100 employees working throughout nine retail routes. During this era, customer shopping habits changed. After careful consideration and study, the decision was made to provide more walk-in service to accommodate the growing demands of the customer.
In 1949, the company’s first small, off-site location separate from the main plant opened at 22nd and St. Mary’s in downtown Omaha. Business was so good that, for a few years, two new locations were added each year. By 1959, the smaller locations reached a point where they were more successful than the central plant operation that serviced routes. This led to the plant being closed and delivery routes being discontinued.
Today—four generations later—Max I. Walker remains family owned and operated. What started as a route business now makes house calls for your convenience at no extra charge.
Historical Photographs (Click to enlarge)
