I have been doing laundry at Laundrymates for the past few years due to its proximity to my home, but after tonight, I will no longer be supporting this business and want to share about the harassment I received tonight that resulted in my calling Boston Police Department.
The laundromat is owned by a family- I primarily see the son, but at times, his father is also present, which has always left me with an icky feeling. His father STARES at patrons so intently, it makes you feel very uncomfortable. He polices you as you do you laundry and keeps the bathroom locked. You have to ask for permission to access the bathroom to wash your hands in between loads.
Tonight, I entered just before 7 pm and there was another young woman attempting to do laundry. I say attempting because the washer machines she was using read "Error. No Sink Fill". She told the older man about this four times and he did nothing to resolve the issue. After her telling him multiple times, he called his son who came downstairs and moved her loads to other machines that I was about to fill.
Due to the delay in getting a washer, my clothes were still drying at 8:50 pm since I had to wait for her to finish using the smaller washer machines. Shortly thereafter, the older man went to the breaker panel and turned all of them off stopping my clothes from drying. He then proceeded to turn off all the lights and told me to get out. I informed him that I could not pack my clothes in the dark and needed light to pack my still damp clothing. He STILL REFUSED and I proceeded to call 911 because I was standing in the dark with a very odd old man. The officers (one male and one female officer) arrived and the laundromat was still dark. I explained the situation to the police and he was still belligerent. After packing my clothing, the police and I attempted to leave the laundromat and he stood in front of the door. They had to yell at him to move out of our way so we could exit.
This entire situation was completely avoidable and unfortunate as I'm choosing to share this disgusting story. They need to repair their machines, and better yet, STAY OUT OF NEIGHBORHOODS where you clearly don't trust your clientele.
At the height of the pandemic when many were withdrawing their support of Asian-owned businesses in Boston due to a false and perceived connection with the COVID-19 infection, my household and I still continued to do laundry there while others sought out other laundromats. The treatment I experienced tonight makes me deeply frustrated and sad. I will be withdrawing my support from this business and letting other know. I am owed a refund, but most importantly, an apology. read more