Gates Cleaners no longer occupies its longtime location near the intersection of Airport Road and Whitesburg Drive, but fear not, loyal customers.

Though no longer in its former stand-alone building, the southeast Huntsville mainstay continues to operate just a stone’s throw away in Suite 200 at Whitesburg Plaza.

The dry cleaner now resides beside Absolute Nutrition near Baskin Robbins.

“It was a smooth transition,’’ reports store manager Debra Shockley, who said the biggest hurdle in making the move was getting word to customers.

However, there have been changes. Gates has moved back to the strip mall, but this time to a different storefront from its original 1965 location, now occupied by Luv Hawaiian BBQ. As a result, it no longer has a drive-thru.

Shockley said that elderly and other customers who may need assistance can call ahead, and an employee will bring their order directly to their car.

“Gates Cleaners clientele was built on service,’’ said Shockley.

Gates Cleaners had a full production operation in the old site and no longer has the space for full service. However, Gates purchased Classic Cleaners at 11208 Memorial Pkwy SW next to Guadalajara Mexican restaurant to handle production.

“There is a drive-thru at that location for anyone who chooses to go there,’’ Shockley added.

Gates Cleaners moved into the stand alone building, which is beside the Shell gas station and Lawler’s Barbecue, in 1986.

Shockley said a new landlord “wanted to put a restaurant there. It wasn’t our decision.’’

Meanwhile, the former location for Gates Cleaners is occupied by the soon-to-open First Watch, which is billed as a chef-driven, made-to-order healthier option for breakfast, brunch and lunch.

A representative from First Watch anticipates that the Whitesburg location will open on January 13, 2025.

First Watch has a location in Madison at 8156 Highway 72 which is open from 7 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. each day.