Riteway Cleaners

What do RiteWay Cleaners and Nordstrom Department Store have in common? They are both family-owned businesses for generations, delivering a good product and great customer service.

The downtown RiteWay Cleaners business began in 1935 by Pat Migliori and was located in between the old Cunningham Hotel and the Shamrock Restaurant and Bar on Market Street. After ten years, Pat Migliori moved his business to the current location at 700 E. Market Street. He then asked his brother Peter to join him in the dry cleaning business. At that time, Peter was employed by the Stockton Fire Department and after surviving some “close calls,” decided to leave the Fire Department and join his brother. Both brothers had sons that, eventually, became RiteWay employees and were taught the family business. Both sons eventually became partners in the business when their fathers retired.  Tom Migliori shared the family business with his cousin, Gene, until his death when Tom became the sole owner of RiteWay Cleaners.

Tom Migliori was born and raised in Stockton and attended Stockton Unified Schools. He attended San Joaquin Delta College and Sacramento State College, earning a degree in Business Administration. Tom joined RiteWay Cleaners 38 years ago, entering the family business in 1968. Since then, he has seen the many evolutions downtown has experienced. He watched as retail vanished, moving to the new centers in North Stockton. Tom remained committed to his business and to downtown, serving on many boards and committees which worked for downtown’s comeback.

Tom’s successful secret is the same as Nordstrom’s - good quality product and outstanding customer service keeps customers coming back and spreading the good word.    Tom says, “It doesn’t get any better than that.” Migliori has 16 permanent staff employment positions that ensure good quality dry cleaning, to check and double check garments for sewing, spots, lint, patching and pressing. If a spot doesn’t come out on your clothing, it goes through the process again to remove it! Every morning Tom Migliori personally checks all clothes ready to go out to customers to ensure the best quality of dry cleaning and laundering possible.  Tom is proud of his employees.  Hard work, a strong work ethic, and just plain getting along with each other, are high priorities at RiteWay Cleaners. Migliori has employees who have been with him twenty years and counting.

RiteWay Cleaners does the bulk of their business “over the counter”.  RiteWay also picks up and delivers dry cleaning in Stockton, Morada and Linden. RiteWay is open Monday – Friday, 6 am to 6 pm and Saturday, 7 am - 1 pm. For more information on RiteWay Cleaners, call 464-4282 or visit www.ritewaycleaners.com.