Sun Ray Cleaners has been family-owned and operated in Columbus, Georgia since 1962. My grandfather, Earl Carter, opened the original shop on Macon Road after he came home from the Army. He learned the dry cleaning trade from a man named Henry Walsh, who ran a small shop downtown. When Henry retired, my grandfather took over his equipment and many of his customers.
These days, I run the shop along with my brother. We added a second location on the west side of town in 1998. While we’ve upgraded to newer solvents and more efficient equipment, we still use many of the same careful techniques passed down from my grandfather.
We handle everything you’d expect from a full-service dry cleaner: dry cleaning and laundry, alterations, leather and suede care, wedding gown preservation, and household items such as comforters and drapes. Because we’re located near Fort Moore, we also handle a steady amount of military uniform work, including dress uniforms for ceremonies and changes of command.
We know our customers by name. That’s the part of this business I’m most proud of.