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2009 CC SA-BY Our Oakland

George's Laundry & Dry Cleaners, also identified as George's Dry Cleaning Launderette, was a popular and well-known laundry and dry cleaners at 3310 Lakeshore Avenue from 1956 through early 2020. The store was started by George Cawog, who was known as the "Shirt King of Oakland" or the "Sultan of Starch." 1 He retired in 1992, and sold the store to Liza Flores. 2,6 The store closed in early 2020, just before the COVID-19 pandemic caused many people to work from home. 3

George and Freida Cawog are also the longtime owners of the Trestle Glen Apartments, located less than a quarter mile from the former site of the laundry.

A donut store honoring George and Freida is scheduled to open in summer 2024 on West Portal Avenue in San Francisco. 5 The store will be called George's Donuts & Merriment; the name was chosen by one of the four partners, Andrew Dudum, George's grandson.

Circa 2009 41987 1

Link and References

  1. 'Sultan of Starch' helps keep Eastbay collars from wilting Oakland Tribune November 23, 1987

  2. Rosegarden blooms as Lakeshore, Grand Avenue boom Oakland Tribune May 14, 2002

  3. The Names In Lights Have A Tale To Tell – Part 2 Splashpad News June 2021

  4. User photo on Yelp review for George's Laundry & Dry Cleaners

  5. Over-the-top beautiful doughnut cafe opening in S.F. San Francisco Chronicle November 14, 2023

  6. Familiar Faces Oakland Tribune September 3, 2000

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