Celebrating 75 Years of Kona Cleaners

Celebrating 75 Years of Kona Cleaners

Celebrating 75 Years of Kona Cleaners: A Legacy of Service, Innovation, and Integrity 

Kona Cleaners is celebrating an incredible milestone—its 75th anniversary. Founded in 1950, the company has grown from a small dry cleaning operation to a beloved family-owned business with locations throughout Orange and Riverside counties. 

Today, under Bobby Patel’s leadership, who purchased the store in 1995, Kona Cleaners has elevated its service and value, offering exceptional care and commitment that have made it a cornerstone of the local community.

Humble Beginnings   

Kona Cleaners started its journey in 1950 in Costa Mesa, California. When Bobby Patel took ownership in 1995, the business was already established, but Bobby saw an opportunity to grow and improve. 

Within just two years, Bobby expanded Kona Cleaners to seven locations. But it wasn’t all smooth sailing. Five of those locations were struggling financially. The challenges Bobby faced early on were a true test of his resilience. 

His biggest turning point came when he won the account for a major hotel, marking the start of a new era for the business. Through hard lessons learned, Bobby refined his approach, ultimately finding success not only in financial terms but also in the growth of the Kona Cleaners brand. 

As Bobby says, “You can be aggressive and ambitious, but the important thing is being smart.” 

Core Values That Drive Success  

Bobby’s unwavering commitment to honesty, integrity, and community is at the heart of Kona Cleaners’ success. His core values are simple yet powerful: treat staff and customers well the way you want to be treated. 

Bobby is deeply involved in the day-to-day operations, but his leadership style isn’t just about business—it’s about family. His wife, Kemi, helps run the operation, and his parents were instrumental in its early days. 

Focused on creating a family atmosphere, Bobby has helped cultivate a loyal and dedicated team that shares his vision. This level of care extends to how managers are also trained, emphasizing the importance of looking out for employees in every way possible.

Innovation Meets Tradition  

Bobby’s background in engineering and passion for technology drive Kona Cleaners’ ability to stay ahead of the curve. He believes that embracing automation is the key to efficiency and quality. “Let automation do the tedious work and put skilled associates to the final touches,” Bobby explains. This philosophy has helped Kona Cleaners streamline operations while ensuring that every garment is given the personal care it deserves.

The company has invested in the best soaps, solvents, and state-of-the-art technology to solve everyday problems, continually elevating the customer experience. This combination of innovation and traditional values has been a winning formula for Kona Cleaners.

Community Commitment and Giving Back   

Kona Cleaners’ commitment to the community is another cornerstone of the business. From sponsoring local sports teams to offering complimentary military uniform cleaning (which has totaled hundreds of thousands of dollars in free services), Bobby’s focus has always been on lifting others.

He reflects on the early days when his customers helped him grow the business, encouraging him to think bigger and take risks. “They really wanted me to succeed,” he says. Now, Bobby pays that generosity forward by helping the community in meaningful ways. 

Looking Ahead: The Next 25 Years  

As Kona Cleaners celebrates 75 years in business, Bobby Patel is looking forward to the future. Though he’s received numerous offers to sell the company, Bobby has no intention of parting ways with Kona Cleaners. 

This business has been more than just a livelihood for him and his family—it’s been a source of stability and opportunity, putting food on the table and sending his children to college. “It’s been there for me and my family all these years,” he says, and he’s committed to continuing that legacy for the next generation.

A Legacy of Branding and Professionalism   

Kona Cleaners also recognizes the importance of branding. One of the key turning points in the business came when Bobby decided to invest in creating a professional brand identity.

With the help of Dave Troemel, whom Bobby hired to bring a new level of professionalism to the company, Kona Cleaners adopted a fresh logo and began putting it on everything—from uniforms to promotional materials. This investment in branding has paid off, helping the business grow and attract higher-quality customers. 

Celebrating 75 Years and Counting   

As Kona Cleaners marks its 75th anniversary, it’s celebrating not just a successful business but a family legacy that spans three generations.

From a humble start in 1950 to becoming a thriving, community-centered operation, Bobby Patel has turned Kona Cleaners into more than just a dry cleaning service—it’s a place where tradition, innovation, and community come together. Here’s to 75 years of success and many more milestones ahead!