The History Of Coin Laundromats And Why It Makes Sense
The coin laundromat business, also known as coin‐op laundries, washaterias, launderettes, and laundromats, has been in existence since the early 1900s when the first documented washateria in the US was opened on April 18, 1934, by C. A. Tannahill in Fort Worth, TX, according to “Texas Landmarks and Legends.” The business was run by Andrew Clein, and according to “Wikipedia” customers would rent the washers using a coin‐in‐the‐slot, which would activate the machine by a ‘coin weight’ system. The history of the washing machine, however, dates back even further to 1691, when the first patent in England was issued.
Prior to the invention of the coin operated equipment, shop owners charged customers a fee to use their large wash boards and tubs. As washing machines evolved, an agitator was inserted into the tub which created washing action and replaced the wash boards. An agitator would roll the clothes around inside the tub, often tying the clothes in knots. This would pull and bend the fabrics of the clothes and sometimes even damaging them. Later, a basket was placed horizontally, on its side, within the wash tub and a crank was used to rotate the basket. A small fire pit under the machine would hold coal which was used to heat the water in the tub. Since the hot water was a commodity, multiple loads were washed in the same water, starting with the loads that were least soiled, working their way up to the most soiled load. There was no such thing as a rinse cycle when the clothes were finished; they would be wrung out by twisting them to extract the water. Later, hand cranking wringers were added to the washers to squeeze out the water from the clothes. Eventually, motors and electronics replaced the hand cranks and the baskets were spun to extract the water, replacing the wringers.
Today the coin laundromat business is considered to be a mature industry with over 35,000 laundromats in the United States. Despite what some might think, there continues to be a strong demand for coin laundries and there are no signs that demand will decrease in the near future.
Let’s begin with some basics by starting out with the definition of a coin laundry. A coin laundromat is a consumer laundry facility, which offers the public the ability to pay for the use of washers and dryers. Although coin laundromats can be in stand-alone commercial buildings, they are usually located in retail centers or strip malls.
What makes a laundromat appealing to its customers is the speed at which customers can get their laundry done. This is due to the large number of machines that are typically available at a coin laundromat. Most coin laundries also have machines that come in various sizes. The larger capacity machines are capable of handling a customer’s large blankets and bedspreads. These items won’t fit in the smaller washers you find in a home or an apartment.
About Brian Brunckhorst
Brian Brunckhorst is one of the nation’s experts on laundromats. He is dedicated to teaching entrepreneurs how to find, evaluate, analyze, and buy a coin laundromat. Brian is also the author of the best-selling eBook, “Secrets of Buying and Owning Laundromats” and other informational products.

