They mean "actual" dry cleaners that clean in the shop - almost all those you find are fronts for some massive cleaning warehouse somewhere else (check to see if they have any machines on-site).
Even if that's the case, how does that make it a dry cleaning "desert"? I only care if I can get my clothes cleaned quickly and I've never had any problem with that.
Not the OP but I assume it has something to do with the loss of same-day or 4 hour turnaround-type services (which if you need try laundromats, some offer fluff and fold services where they'll wash for you).
Huh? I’ve never had an issue finding a dry cleaning shop in SF and there’s tons that pop on Google maps - hardly seems like a dry cleaning “desert”.