Wow, I remember one day (many years ago) my washer broke and I drove from Pac Heights looking for a clean, nearby laundromat and I found this little place at 1233 Divis. I met this beautiful Jamaican woman and we had a ball talking and folding laundry!
Today, I drove across town from our new home in Golden Gate Heights to find a laundromat where I could launder our goose down duvet and pay by credit card (like I used to in Rocklin!). Well what do you know? It's my little place from back in the day! But, it's different now. It's got neon lettering on the wall. It's got swanky new, updated machines that extract the water so well out of my laundry it left the imprint from the holes in the washer! Why is this an impressive note to make, because it helps considerably cut down on drying time!
The space was very clean and staffed by a very kind and helpful young woman during my entire time. When I asked her how long it took to normally dry a load of clothes she kindly responded, "Oh about 18-24 minutes. So about a dollar." Through my thick N95 mask she heard my audible "What, seriously?" and she giggled at me and said "Yep."
She knew I was new to the game. But she was still sweet to me. The massive dryer let me know it meant business and I thought to myself, yeah it's probably going to take an extra quarter or 2, we'll see. Well, I got to write a partial entry in my journal and then, my dryer summoned me. My down time was up and my down comforter was finished! It took a moment for me to realize it because I was entranced by the Muizak version of Gangstas Paradise by Coolio.
I touched the sheets in partial disbelief waiting to feel the faintest of dampness but, alas there was none. They were cool to the touch though! Just as I was saying to myself why are you cool? The sweet lady popped out from the Employees Only door and said, "Heeeeey, how'd it go? Everything nice and dry?" I started laughing and told her about the conversation I was having in my head at that exact moment and how I was amazed at the way this dryer performed just like my German fancy dryer at home! It didn't kill my Cozy Earth bedding with firey heat and everything came out beautiful and wrinkle free! It was at that moment she perked up even more (how is that possible?) and began to tell about the awesomeness of being an Eco-Wash Laundromat! She talked about all of the fun features of the washers and dryers that I mentioned to you just as if she personally owned the laundromat! I loved it! She had pride in her job and the company she worked for
That's so cool!
We reminisced about the old laundromat and the good old days. How she lives right on the corner and seen it all come and go. Then she bid me a chipper goodnight and went on to assist the next patrons who were trying to rush in at the last minute for a late wash. My ears perked up when I heard her ask the guy "Would you like some soap? How many?" What? What is this? I've never heard of this before! Remember when they made you spend 10 times as much to buy a little box of soap, bleach, and fabric softener out of the vending machine in the wall? I was sad she didn't ask me if I wanted any detergent... Then I remembered, she probably saw the massive Costco Tide, Downey, Clorox Bleach, and Lysol Laundry Sanitizer I had with me. I get it.
But, it's still nice to be asked. (I'm totaling kinda kidding.)
P.S. Do NOT message me and tell me how many funky laundromats I passed by on Irving Street alone driving over here. I KNOW! I wanted to use PLASTIC, NOT CASH. PERIOD. It's 2022 people!) read more