Despite Appearances, Pratt Abbott on Forest Avenue in Portland, Maine, is Open

The oldest location for the biggest dry cleaner in Maine is open, even though it looks closed.

If you've driven past Pratt Abbott Dry Cleaners on Forest Avenue near Morrills Corner, you might have thought it was closed. It's very much open.

READ MORE: I Was Shocked at What’s Going on With the Falmouth Pratt Abbott!

Pratt Abbott has been a family business serving the greater Portland area since 1944. They now have 12 laundry and dry cleaning stores throughout Southern Maine. But it all started as one store in Bramhall Square in Portland, when there were a ton of dry cleaners in town. Pratt Abbott, who started the business, left it soon after. But he left it in the very capable hands of Elliot Abbott, who made the business a force to be reckoned with through WWII.

Why does the Forest Avenue Pratt Abbott look abandoned?

Their sign was destroyed by one of the many storms we've had, and they are waiting on a new one. They have that little sign, but many people pull in and ask,

Are you guys open?

Fear not, they are very much open.

Pratt Abbott has always been family-owned.

The Abbotts haven't owned the dry cleaners for decades, but it is still owned by a family started by father-and-son team Jim and David Machesney.  Dave (son) is a third-generation dry cleaner. Pratt Abbott represents the best of Maine. To be honest, I'm sure there are other dry cleaners in Maine, but I couldn't tell ya, because I've only ever used Pratt Abbott. And will still keep going to the Forest Avenue location in Portland, Maine.