Manor Cleaners

Manor Cleaners is the 2nd oldest business in Fallbrook. (1)  It is an example of the post-World War 2 commercial activity in Fallbrook.  Although most longtime residents of Fallbrook are familiar with Manor Cleaners, few people have been around long enough to be clear on the many twists and turns of its history of ownership and location changes over the decades.

Despite these moves, Manor Cleaners today operates in the same place in the historic Solso Building where it opened its doors 76 years ago, on July 23, 1948, by the founders Eugene L “Bud” and Noreen Mathwig.

Bud Mathwig was born in Iowa in 1912.  He was working as a clothes presser in Los Angeles where in 1930 he met and married the former Noreen Henry from Oklahoma.  (2) Together, Bud and Noreen founded Manor Cleaners in Fallbrook.  Their two children attended Fallbrook schools.

Manor cleaners experienced a steady growth in the business.  In 1951, with 4 employees and needing larger equipment, the Mathwigs moved Manor Cleaners into a larger building directly across the street.  Manor Cleaners stayed here at 114 E. Juniper for the next 22 years. (3)  Meanwhile, the historical Corner Store moved into the building that the Mathwigs had vacated.

Like many small businesses in Fallbrook, during the late 20th century, Manor Cleaners has a long-documented trail of consistently supporting the community, with donations plus volunteering their time and the use of their facilities, to sponsor youth activities and community events.

Bud and Noreen Mathwig retired in the early 1960s.  Many years later, in 1973, after the old Corner Store had closed and became vacant, new owner Floyd ‘Andy’ Anderson decided to move Manor Cleaners back across the street to its original location in the Solso Building. (4)

Floyd’s son, Roger “Rod” Anderson took over the business after his father passed away in 1974. (5)  Anderson later sold Manor Cleaners to Robert and Wanda Pauly in 1980.  (6)

Succeeding the Paulys, George Archibald bought Manor Cleaners in 1985. (7) Archibald later sold the business in 1996 to Pietro and Caterina Mungo. The Mungos passed the business to their son Paul in 2008.   (8)

 Today, Paul and Danni Mungo operate Manor Cleaners, the 2nd oldest business in Fallbrook.

    Tom Frew,
    FHS Historian

    Footnotes:

    1) Berry-Bell & Howell Mortuary is just 7 months older than Manor Cleaners per Fallbrook
        Historical Society records.

    2) Los Angeles, Calif Marriage Index, Ancestry.com
    3) Paul Mungo and Fallbrook Enterprise, August 31, 1951.
    4) Fallbrook Enterprise, Novembesi, 1973.
    5) Fallbrook Enterprise, January 24, 1974.
    6) Fallbrook Enterprise, July 17, 1980.
    7) George Archibald and Fallbrook Enterprise, May 16, 1985.
    8) George Archibald and Village News, December 4, 2008.