Chehade Dry Cleaning founder Karl Chehade passes away aged 91

The man responsible for taking a humble North Adelaide store in the 1950s and expanding to create the nation’s biggest dry cleaning chain has passed away.

Popular Adelaide business icon Karl Chehade has died.

The man responsible for taking a humble North Adelaide store in the 1950s and expanding to boast a chain of locations nationally has passed away.

Popular Adelaide business icon Karl Chehade has died, aged 91.

Mr Chehade’s started his popular dry cleaning business Karl Chehade Dry Cleaners in North Adelaide in 1957 before the brand went on to become the Australia’s biggest Dry Cleaning chain with shops in SA, Queensland and Victoria, employing more than 120 staff.

Karl Chehade Snr, right, with son Karl Chehade.

The Karl Chehade Dry Cleaning company.

Mr Chehade migrated to Australia from Lebanon when he was 17 and went on to build a successful business empire in South Australia, including restaurant Mignon on Pulteney Street, Chehade Brothers Menswear and, in his retirement, the Australian Olive Company.

The Adelaide Maronite Parish, a church he helped found, took to social media to inform fellow parishioners of the business leader’s death.

“Karl Makik Chehade, from Aintourine, Lebanon, has passed away peacefully in Adelaide on the 27th of September, aged 91 years,” the parish posted.

“Beloved husband of Delele and adored father of Mellick & Alexia, Karl & Rola, Mark & Patty, Gabrielle & Daniel, and Pierre (deceased).”

His funeral is expected to be held on October 4 and The Advertiser understands all 13 Adelaide stores will close between 1pm and 4pm to allow staff to attend.

Originally published as Chehade Dry Cleaning founder Karl Chehade passes away aged 91