Winkle Group

The "Westco" Martinizing chain of Dry Cleaning stores started in 1964 here in the Treasure Valley. The first store opened at the Hillcrest Shopping Center. The chain expanded, building stores in Yakama, Seattle, Spokane, Coeur d' Alene and Lewiston. At the peak "Westco" operated 35 locations. In 1971 Bill Winkle and his partners purchased "Westco"... and operated the Westco Martinizing Dry Cleaning stores for 38 Years. In 2008, Winkle Group Inc. purchased the Boise area Dry Cleaning operation from Westco, Inc. Thus began the second generation of the Winkle family operating Martinizing in the Boise area. At the present time the Winkle Group operates 9 Martinizing Dry Cleaning locations, 2 independent Dry Cleaning locations, 1 Centralized plant and a Pick-up and Delivery Service. Jim Winkle, President of Winkle Group, Inc. was elected to the Martinizing International Advisory Council. This council represents the leaders in Dry Cleaning from around the world. Martinizing Dry Cleaning is the largest dry cleaning franchisor in the United States with locations in 7 countries and U.S. Territories. Currently, over 175 franchisees operate over 750 stores in the United States and 7 foreign countries including Canada, Mexico, Ecuador, Peru, Germany, Japan, Indonesia and US Territories. The Treasure Valley will benefit with Jim seating on this council because Martinizing will be first to market with the most current dry cleaning practices in the world. Yes, Martinizing is a franchise, but the Idaho born and educated Winkle Family has been operating the Martinizing Stores in the Boise area for over 40 years.Read More