Tips for picking a perfect laundromat location

Tips for picking a perfect laundromat location

If you are looking to either purchase or lease a laundromat or build a new one, its location is likely the most important decision you will make.

Here’s some considerations to help you narrow your search:

1. Know your demographics. More than 50% of laundromat customers are renters without in-unit laundry facilities and about 87% of laundromat customers use on-premises washing machines due to convenience, according to World Metrics. With the average laundromat customer spending about $20 per visit and spending 1½ -2 hours per week there, the reason for knowing your demographics becomes apparent.If purchasing or leasing an existing laundromat or building a new one, consider locations near apartment buildings, universities, low-income housing and trailer parks. As an extra bonus, laundromats located near apartment complexes have a 20-30% higher customer retention rate, World Metrics reports.

If you are looking at locations within a strip mall, look at the neighboring business and notice what kind of traffic they bring in. If they include businesses such as upscale boutiques, keep looking. But if those neighboring businesses include other stores that attract a similar clientele, such as dollar stores, low-cost cafes or gas stations, you’ve hit the jackpot. Better yet, network with those business owners to spur partnership and collaborative opportunities. They may also give you important insights into the community and local customer base.

2. Research nearby competition. You will not just be competing against other nearby laundromats, but also on-site laundry at apartment buildings or student housing, as well as dry cleaners and wash and fold services. Discover what services and amenities you can offer that the others don’t. And then promote those services to educate potential customers.Remember that researching your competitors must be a continual process, as businesses will expand and evolve, so you need to keep up.
3. Chose a location that is highly visible and safe. To grab the attention of passersby, make sure the building and signage is easily seen from the street and isn’t hidden behind shrubs, fences and other obstacles. If you are planning to lease the building, make sure the property owner approves the changes you want to make to improve visibility before you sign.But visibility also offers another huge benefit: A building that is highly visible is also safer for employees and customers, as well as easier to monitor via security  Even better, before choosing a location, research safety and security around the neighborhood. Contact the local police department and get their insights or browse through public police reports. In addition, take a look at how far the potential laundromat location is from police stations, hospitals and fire departments in case of an emergency.
4. Parking and public transportation. Since people will be carrying heavy loads of laundry and bulky laundry baskets, you need to make sure there will be adequate parking for your business. Consider:

• The number of parking spaces available.
• If it’s accessible for patrons who are handicapped or have mobility challenges, or even those using strollers and laundry carts?
• If it’s a shared parking lot, how much of it is filled with traffic from other businesses?
• If parking permits are required, or if there are parking laws or ordinances that may impact your business?

Lastly, look into  public transportation options, especially if you live in an urban area. Many customers may use bus, train or subways to get to you, or even a bike path. So pay attention to how close those routes are to your facility.

5. Inspect the current facility if not building new. Just like when buying a house, you’ll want to work with experts to make sure everything is good to go. Keep in mind:

• Water and electricity hookups. Is it equipped to handle a laundromat?
• When will big-ticket items — such as the roof, siding or heating and air conditioning — need to be replaced or updated? These can be expensive and need to be worked into the overall financial plan.If leasing the building, you will also want to make sure these items are clearly defined in your agreement before you sign.

6. Consider environmental issues and regulations. As good stewards of natural resources, we must do all we can to conserve them. That meansuse energy-efficient laundry equipment to keep utility costs and environmental impact low. Huebsch’s efficient machines help cut down on water use and dry times, plus Galaxy Controls allow for customization that helps optimize loads while creating additional revenue opportunities for laundromat owners.

Let Huebsch help you. Our experts know that choosing a laundromat location is important, so if you need a local perspective, our distributors can share background information about the area and give insight about the laundry industry. They can also assist you in performing market and demographic analyses to confirm the viability of a potential laundromat site, essentially offering you an experienced set of eyes and the hard data to support your investment. Contact us to learn more.