PORTLAND, Ore. — While indulging in a microbrew and a goat cheese panini, you receive a text message announcing your laundry is done. Glancing around the retro-mod lounge, you just might have to remind yourself, “Oh right, I’m in a Laundromat.” Portland’s Spin Laundry Lounge is not your typical college-town Laundromat.
Located in the city’s Historic Mississippi District, Spin Laundry Lounge encompasses everything owner and founder Morgan Gary originally had in mind when it came to putting her, well, unique spin on the laundry business.
“My goal was to redefine the Laundromat,” Gary explains. “And a big part of that was creating a community space that functions as more than just a place to wash and dry your clothes.”
WARM AND INVITING
Inside the 5,000-square-foot space, the warmth of Spin’s open and bright café environment invites locals to stay awhile and take in a Blazers basketball game on the high-definition projector or check their e-mail, thanks to free Wi-Fi, whether they’re doing laundry or not.
Spin’s café/bar menu boasts a selection of coffee, tea, beer/wine, pastries, “small bites,” and fresh salads – all made with ingredients sourced from local farms and companies.
“We’ve also partnered with a local company called Ground Kontrol Classic Arcade,” Gary shares. “Ground Kontrol provides Spin with a few arcade games.” Right now, its customers can enjoy a timeless game of Ms. PacMan on the mezzanine level.
While the circa 1951 warehouse building where Spin is housed offers up an unhurried atmosphere and tons of character, such as the 1-ton Shepard overhead crane, customers will find there’s nothing slow-moving and vintage about Spin’s energy-efficient and water-saving Electrolux Professional laundry equipment.
“In the end, sustainability was always my main focus,” Gary says. “From the Electrolux Professional washers and dryers, to the eco-friendly products and cleaners, right down to the local and organic food and drink in the café – Spin is as green as can be.”
SUSTAINABILITY FOCUS
Gary always knew she wanted to make a lasting, positive impact on the environment and her community. She had been working in management for a while when she decided to head to business school.
“I had always dreamed of starting my own company,” she says, “and the laundry business seemed like a perfect fit because typically it’s an industry where lots of water, energy and chemicals are being used.”
In 2012, she graduated with an MBA in Sustainable Business, and, what’s more, a comprehensive business plan. “My final project was a 100-plus-page business plan on how to make my efficient and inviting interpretation of a Laundromat a reality. I studied trends, visited stores in the area, and read every book I could find about Laundromats and the laundry industry.”
She also kept a running list, jotting down every idea that could make her Laundromat distinctive and sustainable.
“From wine tastings, to donating clothing (that was clean and folded) to area shelters, to using compostable to-go containers, to installing energy-efficient lighting – my list kept right on growing,” jokes Gary. “That’s when it really hit me that the laundry industry could greatly benefit from a new way of thinking.”
THE DREAM TAKES OFF...
With her redefined Laundromat model firmly in place, Gary then focused on connecting with the right laundry distributor – one who felt as strongly as she did about sustainability. She found such a partner in Lisa White, owner of Absolute Laundry Systems, also an Oregon company.
“Lisa, her husband Scott, and the entire team at Absolute Laundry Systems are incredibly knowledgeable about creating stores built on sustainable business practices,” explains Gary. “Lisa helped me with everything – lease negotiations, design and layout of the ’mat, construction, training, even finding the ideal location.”
After a year of searching high and low for the right building and neighborhood for her brand-new Laundromat, Gary fell in love with the “amazing old warehouse building” that Spin now calls home.
“It was perfect!” she exclaims. “In addition to the parking lot, the space offered up plenty of on-the-street parking – and was surrounded by like-minded green businesses.”
It was also close to busy downtown Portland, college campuses, and many older and newer efficient/LEED-certified apartment buildings. The renovation from warehouse to Spin Laundry Lounge took approximately 4 1/2 months.
“From day one, Lisa and Scott were invested in my business; they cared and wanted me to succeed,” Gary says. “Even after our doors opened, their expertise and support continues to be invaluable. What I appreciate most about them is that they really listened to what I wanted my Laundromat to be.”
Check back Thursday for the conclusion!
Have a question or comment? E-mail our editor Bruce Beggs at [email protected].