Steiner Cleaners and Laundry, Las Vegas, Bella Ladies V-Neck

Venue History

Steiner Cleaners & Laundry, founded in the early 1960s in Las Vegas by Herman Steiner, earned local fame far beyond its unassuming storefront. Under Vic Plassman—who began as an employee before purchasing the business—Steiner’s became known as the “stain‑master of the stars,” catering to the glamorous performers of the Strip. What set Steiner’s apart was its celebrity clientele and commitment to top-tier garment care. Plassman handled intricate costumes nightly, famously cleaning and refurbishing Liberace’s rhinestone‑encrusted capes—each with some 4,000 crystals—as well as outfits for Elvis and other entertainers. Even Robert Goulet, Jimmy “J.J.” Walker, Norm Crosby, Sandy Hackett, and Rhonda Shear lent their voices to Steiner’s radio ads, praising its thorough service. Steiner’s also became iconic for its “Happy Shirt” neon sign, originally designed by Herman Steiner’s daughter and constructed by YESCO in 1962. Featuring animated waving arms, the sign lit up Tropicana Avenue’s skyline and later took its place at the Neon Museum in restored form. Even after permanently closing, Steiner’s legacy lives on. The neon “Happy Shirt” remains a beloved exhibit in the Neon Boneyard, preserving the spirit of the cleaners that once served Vegas’s elite. Today, Vic Plassman lives semi‑retired, occasionally still providing expert cleaning services—proof that quality craftsmanship endures. Steiner Cleaners wasn’t just a laundry; it was a backstage staple, weaving itself into the fabric of Las Vegas’s entertainment mythos.