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Past to Present (Part 1)

CHICAGO — We’ve written about them before, but where are they now? American Coin-Op followed up with three previously featured Laundromats to see how their business is doing.

Loudon Speedwash, Mattapoisett and Value Clean Laundromats are still doing well, thanks to the modifications and service that owners and attendants supply. Not only that, these small-business owners see more growth in their future.

THE COLLECTOR

Loudon (Tenn.) Speedwash Laundromats is owned by Lynn Millsaps. When American Coin-Op featured his business in September 2007, he used solar collectors to help save on energy costs. They’re still going strong today. Millsaps can’t estimate how much the system has helped cut costs, but he says the collectors have saved him “quite a few dollars.”

In the 1970s, Millsaps taught heating, air conditioning and refrigeration at the Loudon County Vocational and Technical Center in Lenoir City, Tenn. He used his knowledge to create his solar collector—a room to the side of his Laundromat that collects heat. The roof is a clear plastic, and inside are cinder blocks painted black. The blocks heat up under the sun, and air is pulled through the holes to the other side of the wall, which is where the laundry facility resides.

When the sun’s shining, they work great,” he says. On a sunny day, the solar collector reaches 135 degrees, according to Millsaps.

Some of his other eco-friendly additions include switching the fluorescent bulbs to electronic ballast lights—high-efficiency bulbs, he says. Additionally, three Paloma tankless water heaters save on energy by heating only what’s needed and sending the water directly to the machine being used. Traditional water heaters heat more than what’s needed, according to Millsaps.

He previously used only top-load washers, but he says that front loaders use less water. He replaced his top-loaders with 10 Speed Queen Horizon front-load washers, and his 30-pound stack dryers with four 50-pound single-pocket dryers.

As a business owner, he has tried to attend each Clean Show so that he “can stay up to date on equipment available and new technology, and try to replace my equipment with more energy-efficient equipment.”

Over the years, he has increased promotion of his business. Loudon Speedwash promotions are mostly direct mail, and Millsaps also supports local athletics with advertisements in their programs.

Millsaps sees himself selling his store in a few years. After 39 years with Loudon Speedwash, he hopes to retire soon to travel and golf.

THE CAPE

Mattapoisett (Mass.) Laundromat boasts a Cape Cod theme, complete with a relaxing mural above the machines. “It promotes relaxation and a carefree environment,” says owner Bruce Rocha.

However, it isn’t the theme that’s kept the laundry successful since being featured in the April 2003 American Coin-Op. Connie Goulart, the CFO for BER Inc., parent company of Mattapoisett Laundromat, has worked with Rocha for 15 years. Over the years, the business has increased its customer base to include citizens of several towns over, she says, claiming that patrons pass by several other laundries on the way to Mattapoisett Laundromat.

“Our laundry is, we’re told, the cleanest laundry,” she says. “Our staff is extremely friendly. Very helpful. The customer service, I would say, is excellent.”

Employees are kept up-to-date on products and services of the industry. “We’re keen on customer service, so all of our employees are always trained to be specialists in customer service,” Goulart says.

Mattapoisett is a 24-hour laundry that is attended 7 a.m. to 10 p.m. If a customer’s laundry card has been registered with the business, they are granted around-the-clock access.

When covered in 2003, Mattapoisett Laundromat had an ATM and mailbox service in the same building. The ATM is no longer in use, but Mail Box Services is still in operation.

There are eight 25-pound, 16 40-pound and two 50-pound washers, either IPSO or Continental brand; two new 75-pounders are whimsically named “Spinderella” and “Rinse Charming.” There are two 50-pound and 36 30-pound ADC dryers.

An outdoor patio area features a lawn and garden for customers to enjoy while doing laundry. This makes for a pleasant environment, which Goulart says is peaceful for the customers.

A pickup and delivery service, which is new, caters to a local marina as well as many elderly people in the area.

“I think [a Laundromat] is a key component to a community,” says Goulart. “Many people don’t have washer and dryer access in their home or their apartments, so it’s a service that the community needs, and we’re happy to provide that.”

Check back Thursday for the conclusion!

loudon exterior with solar collector 2014 web

Loudon Speedwash features a greenhouse-like solar collector on the side of the building. (Photo: Loudon Speedwash)

loudon solar bricks 2007 web

Cinder blocks within the greenhouse-like solar collector, shown here in 2007, hold heat even after the sun sets, helping owner Lynn Millsaps save on energy costs. (Photo: Loudon Speedwash)

loudon interior 2014 web

Lynn Millsaps’ Loudon Speedwash Laundromats previously used only top-load washers, but he has replaced them with front loaders because, he says, they use less water. (Photo: Loudon Speedwash)

mattapoisett interior with mural 2014 web

The mural painted on one wall (at left in photo) of the Mattapoisett (Mass.) Laundromat “promotes relaxation and a carefree environment,” says store owner Bruce Rocha. (Photo: Mattapoisett Laundromat)

mattapoisett exterior 2003 web

Circa 2003, Mattapoisett Laundromat owner Bruce Rocha had come up with a one-stop shopping site where people could do their laundry, pick up mail and withdraw some money. (Photo: Mattapoisett Laundromat)

mattapoisett services 2003 web

In 2003, Mattapoisett patrons could have packages packed and shipped, and purchase greeting cards. (Photo: Mattapoisett Laundromat)

Have a question or comment? E-mail our editor Bruce Beggs at [email protected].