Daloz Cleansers started in Boston in the late 19th century. It had retail shops in Boston although the actual work facility was located elsewhere, first in Roxbury, then South Boston, then in 1900 in Dorchester at 11 Humphreys Street. The Dorchester building later became the Humphreys Street Studios.
Today’s illustration comes from The Dorchester Beacon newspaper, May 5, 1900. In that issue, the paper did a couple of dozen puff pieces about various businesses in Dorchester. The text of the article follows:
L. H. Daloz
Cleansing and Dyeing, 11 Humphrey Street, 510 Tremont Street and 24 Bromfield Street
One of the latest establishments to come to Dorchester for a permanent location is the large dyeing establishment of Mr. L. H. Daloz. This gentleman has followed the business in Boston for almost a quarter of a century and has become one of the leading and most prominent men in his line of business in the city. For over thirty years he has been engaged in the cleansing and dyeing trade and most of the time on a large scale. He began business in 1869 in New York City, and in 1877 he moved to Boston, opening a down town office and establishing his works in Roxbury. In four years his business had grown so as to require larger and better quarters, and in 1883 he moved his works to South Boston, locating on Dorchester Avenue and Rawson Street. Here he remained for seventeen years, until recent changes and improvements there forced him to move. He then turned to Dorchester and soon began the erection of a large plant at 11 Humphrey Street. This he has but recently completed and is just getting fully established n his new quarters. He has a large frame and brick building 130 feet long and 40 feet wide, with three floors, giving him a total floor space over 15,000 square feet. This larger building is completely equipped with all the machinery, apparatus and conveniences necessary for a thoroughly modern cleansing and dyeing plant, and Mr. Daloz is better prepared than ever to handle his large business. He does cleansing an dying of all kinds and his methods are the most modern and improve, making it possible to treat the most delicate goods and colors successfully. A specialty is made of fine garments, such as evening dresses, silk waists, fancy skirts, draperies, laces, etc. The work is confined exclusively to cleansing and dyeing, and no laundry in connection with the establishment and no agents are employed. The business is one directly with Mr. Daloz. His many years’ experience makes it possible for him to give ladies the most valuable advice about the cleansing or dyeing of their wearing apparel or household goods, while his service in every branch of the business is the most expert and satisfactory. At his Humphrey Street works, which are now in full operation, he employs thirty people. He maintains two stores in the city, one at 510 Tremont Street another at 24 Bromfield Street. Mr. Daloz has been a resident of Dorchester for the last fifteen years and has many friends in the district who esteem highly as a business man and citizen.