Laundromats Reinventing the Laundry Experience
Laundromats that provide food, drinks, and entertainment have gained traction in New York City, but this trend isn’t just local. Across the U.S., there are various unique laundromat experiences that make routine chores a bit more enjoyable.
A recent report from the New York Times discusses the emergence of “landvals” in Brooklyn over the last couple of years—essentially laundromats reimagined as neighborhood hangouts.
Yet, similar businesses have been declining for years from Oregon to Ohio, and places like Oklahoma and Nevada are no exception.
To illustrate, Duds n’Suds in Reno, Nevada, began serving beer, wine, snacks, and even slot machines back in the early 1980s. It’s a concept that gained some pop culture recognition during a 2021 episode of Family Guy.
Jimmy May and his wife, Brandi Johnson, took the reins of Duds n’Suds in 2019. According to May, they’re trying to differentiate their offerings to attract more patrons.
“We’re adding something extra to make the experience more appealing,” he explained. He often enjoys observing the reactions of customers who arrive expecting a conventional laundromat. “They’ll look up and see the bar, asking, ‘Wait, do you have beer?’”
Eventually, these surprised customers might end up enjoying a cold drink and snacks while doing their laundry, and many return after that initial visit.
But it’s not all fun and games. The lease for Duds n’Suds has remained at $9,000 after more than three decades. “That’s a hefty amount of laundry that needs to be done,” May noted.
Meanwhile, Morgan Gary and Anthony Fuzaro of Spin Laundry Lounge in Portland, Oregon, have been navigating similar challenges since opening in 2014. Gary shared that her experiences in dull laundromats inspired her to create a space that feels more inviting, resembling a cozy café rather than a typical laundromat.
Gary highlighted the importance of food and beverages in setting their business apart, saying, “That’s what helped us gain popularity.” Their establishment features arcade games and pinball machines overlooking the laundry area, in a location that used to be a metal factory.
Despite challenges posed by the Covid-19 pandemic, they resumed food and drink services earlier this year through a partnership with Brave Neighbor Coffeehouse, enabling them to focus on laundry service while fostering community ties.
They’ve also been known to offer free laundry vouchers through collaborations with nonprofits and host community events where attendees can learn about proper clothing care.
Interestingly, Gary enjoys collecting the single socks left behind, which they donate to shelters. “It’s a small way to make something useful out of what might have otherwise ended up in the trash,” she explained.
They aspire to expand their service offerings in the future and possibly include delivery options.
Seeing others opening similar businesses excites Gary. She remarked, “When we launched years ago, we had a few predecessors, but the idea of a fun laundromat was still novel.” It’s rewarding to see a wider acceptance of a better way to do laundry and, hopefully, a more enjoyable experience for everyone involved.
