Sometimes going down a different street can make all the difference- as it is exactly how I found this great vintage neon sign and wonderful vintage building housing Harry Louie Laundry and Dry Cleaning in downtown Dover, DE. (Looks like Happy Louie on this bright December day!)
I was taking an alternate route to Spence’s Bazaar to pick up our Christmas pie when I drove past this cheery sight and you know I just had to stop and capture it! Here’s a closer look at that well kept sign:
Glad to report that the closed sign is only for the Christmas holiday, and while not much info can be found online about the origins of the business, it appears to be family owned and operated and is a local favorite.
One thing that touched me about Harry Louie is that the building remains standing tall with a well maintained neon sign, despite the fact that the businesses that had flanked it years ago have been turned into parking lots. Thanks Harry Louie, for standing tall where others have fallen!
So if you’re ever in Dover DE and need some dry cleaning, stop by here to support this business, and if you’re in the area and are just stopping to photo – go on in and tell them how much you dig their sign and building. I’m sure it would make their day! I’ll remember to swing by here some evening to see if the sign gets lit up too.
Harry Louie Laundry & Dry Cleaning
129 South Governors Avenue
Dover, DE 19904
(302) 734-8195 ?
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What a little trooper of a building standing all by its lonesome.
My favorite “so wrong it’s right color combo”! Love the sign … and it does look like “Happy” in the first pic
I actually saw some folks referring to it as Happy Louis online, so you can tell it can be confusing. Hoping to see if it gets lighted up sometime next weekend when we’ll be back in the area. And that color combo? I likey! Reminds me of the old Herrs Chips trucks.
That brave little building standing alone reminds me of that house in “Up”
yes, totally Suzanne, it felt like that too
The business was started by my parents, Harry and Leong Louie in 1949. My mom still owns the property and building while I took over as owner/manager of the business. There is a neon sign which hangs in the front window, but on this occasion, it was being repaired…only two times in the entire history that it was repaired or not lit 24/7. This neon sign does work and I only turn it on during the winter months in the evening while we are open. The City wanted this property for more parking, but we refused.
David- Thanks so much for swinging by RetroRoadmap and adding the information about your business to the thread! I’ll have to come back down to your shop to check out your neon sign and business interior – so happy that you stood your ground and did not become a parking lot! My best to you and your mother, and thanks for keeping your shop so classic looking!