A long-standing dry cleaning business on Kingston Avenue in Crown Heights has announced it will cease operating on Shabbos, resulting in all businesses along the neighborhood's main commercial strip being closed during the Jewish day of rest for the first time in years.
Happy Dry Cleaners, located at 316 Kingston Avenue, held the distinction of being the sole business open on the avenue during Shabbos, earning it the local designation "the Erev Shabbos dry cleaner." The change follows a recent ownership transition. Yoon Bo Choon, the store's longtime owner, retired at age 81 after operating the business for decades. Ownership transferred to his niece, Lee Young Kim, approximately one month ago, who now manages the business alongside her husband, Sam.
The new owners decided to revise the store's schedule as one of their initial changes. Lee Young Kim stated, "We want to respect the Jewish community and honor the Jewish day of rest. From now on the store will be closed on Saturdays."
With the closure on Shabbos, every storefront on both sides of Kingston Avenue's main commercial district will now be shuttered during the day. Local residents responded positively to the announcement. A regular customer said, "We're very appreciative of this. It shows respect for the community. We wish the new owners much success."