RIPON, Wis. — The first Speed Queen Laundromat franchise location in California is set to open this week. A grand-opening event to kick off special activities at the store is slated for Wednesday.
Located at 1526 E. 4th St. in Long Beach, the store offers 3,600 square feet of space, featuring washers with capacities ranging from a single load to 80 pounds and tumble dryers up to 45 pounds.
Co-owners Saba Safiari, a former U.S. Marine, and his uncle, Robert Rafia, were eager to bring their community a truly great customer experience, something they say area laundromats were falling short of.
“The hard-working people of Long Beach deserve better, and we know this laundry will give them a premium experience,” Safiari says.
Rafia saw the Speed Queen Laundry franchise as a way to leverage technology, branding, and learnings to meet a need in the market … and move quickly.
“I don’t wait for things to happen,” he quips of working with the Speed Queen team to move the project at “light speed.”
Starting Wednesday and lasting one week, the store’s customers will be treated to free wash cycles in the touchscreen-controlled equipment. Additionally, customers who download and sign up for the Speed Queen app—which is designed to streamline the experience with app payment and a rewards program—will see funds added to their account.
Fast, efficient washer-extractors and tumble dryers offer customers exceptional flexibility to tailor cycles, the owners say, while getting them in and out in an hour, all in a clean, well-lit environment with vibrant colors. The store will also feature wash/dry/fold service for customers whose time is at a premium.
Families will appreciate the children’s play area, complete with books and iPads to keep kids busy while parents focus on getting laundry cycles completed. And the owners see the city park next door as an extension of their amenities focused on families.
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