Courtesy Aroxy Cleaners
By Carol Ann Conover
For more than half a century, the name Aroxy Cleaners has been synonymous with fabric care in the region. While many businesses struggled to navigate the changing tides of the late 20th century, this family-owned dry cleaner has maintained a steady presence by leaning into its roots and prioritizing speed.
The business traces its lineage back to the late 1960s. Rick Poladia, the current family member at the helm, recalls that his father and uncle took over operations around 1970. Originally part of a different franchise, the family added a single letter to the name for legal purposes, transforming “Roxy” into “Aroxy”—a moniker that has remained on the storefront ever since.
“From 1970 up to now, it’s been in the family,” Poladia said. Today, Rick and his sisters continue the legacy, operating out of their central location on State Route 9.
While the business once operated multiple branches, the family eventually consolidated to a single, high-efficiency location. This move allowed them to maintain a tighter grip on quality control and turnaround times, which Poladia identifies as a core facet of their success. In an era of automated service and delayed shipping, Aroxy Cleaners prides itself on same-day service for customers in a pinch. Poladia notes that they often handle unexpected emergencies, ranging from last-minute wedding attire and funeral garments to suits needed for job interviews.
Beyond traditional dry cleaning, the shop offers a comprehensive suite of garment care, including leather cleaning, wash and fold services and wedding gown preservation. While the business provides alteration services to ensure a perfect fit, they partner with expert off-site specialists to handle those technical needs. This allows the team at the Queensbury plant to remain focused on their primary mission of high-speed, high-quality cleaning.
Understanding the economic pressures on local families, Poladia also highlights the business’s commitment to affordability. The shop features weekly specials, offering rotating discounts to provide consistent savings for their loyal customer base. “It’s just the quality of service,” Poladia said, noting that their clientele is a mix of weekly regulars, business travelers and local residents who have utilized their services for decades. “We make everyone feel welcome.”
The business also serves a vital role for local professionals. Many area police officers and corporate employees rely on the shop for uniform and professional attire maintenance, benefiting from regional pricing that Poladia says remains competitive.
Aroxy Cleaners is located at 797 State Route 9 in Queensbury in the Northway Plaza. The shop will be briefly closed for a scheduled vacation from February 20 through February 27, reopening for normal business hours on February 28. Rick shared that following Aroxy Cleaners on Facebook is the best way to stay informed about specials, closings and other updates.