It is a play on words, but also the truth, that Ashleigh Leier, owner of The Spot Laundromat, has been through the wringer in the last 10 months.
Last fall, Leier had to leave her first The Spot location on Second Avenue, after her lease was not renewed.
After some hand-wringing, weighing her options, and hearing from the community how vital her services were as the only coin laundry in town, she decided to reopen. She ultimately found a new location just a stone’s throw away, across Second Avenue, at 38139 (one number up from her old address), directly opposite her original location.
But it takes a lot to build a new laundry in a former office space; there is the plumbing and the gas to hookups, making sure the space is accessible, getting all the permits, and a host of other additions to the new location that had to be made.
Not to mention the cost of moving, which was immense, Leier acknowledged.
But, come Monday, June 3, the doors of the laundry and its machines will be swung wide open again to welcome customers.
At the new location, there are the same number of heavy-duty washers as before—the beloved googly eyes are back on at least one washer—and dryers, plus shower facilities.
Now, though, there are two private showers instead of the one in the former location.
The new large washroom is accessible.
Leier is still decking out the walls inside, but a ping-pong table and outlets for folks to charge their electronics while they wait have already been added.
She is looking forward to finally being open and seeing old and new friends come through the doors, and she knows many locals are equally excited.
"Everyone's been super supportive and awesome. And also they really want to have their laundry back [open]," she said.
Leier noted that she was initially surprised by the community that formed at and around The Spot, but it now motivates her.
There is something about coming clean at a laundromat, especially with its shower option, that strips people's masks off and helps them form authentic friendships.
"It's pretty powerful," she said.
"It is a non-judgmental safe space for [people] to be whoever they are."
Helping others come clean
The Laundry Spot Society, a non-profit spun off from the laundromat, seeks donations to help those in town who can't afford laundry services. Donations fund tokens that locals in need can use to wash and dry their clothes or take a shower at The Spot.
Leier noted that being clean and wearing clean clothes feels like a reset and can change a person's outlook and perspective.
Find out more or make a donation to the society at The Laundry Spot Society on GoFundMe.
Leier also noted she is seeking staff.
For more information, go to The Spot Laundromat on Facebook and on its website.
