American Coin-Op - June 2022

Sights & Sounds of ‘The A’ I N S I D E : J U LI N Y S 2I D0 E0 :5 J U N E 2 0 2 2 SCHEDULING AND TRACKING PREVENTIVE MAINTENANCE

EIGHT MUSTS FOR LOCATING YOUR NEXT LAUNDRY

POINTERS FROM PAULIE B: MAKING THE DECISION TO EXPAND

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CONTENTS JUNE 2022

COVER STORY

VOLUME 63 ISSUE 6

SIGHTS & SOUNDS OF ‘THE A’ In just a couple of months, the textile care industry will gather again for The Clean Show. Organizer Messe Frankfurt wants attendees to enjoy their stay while away from the show floor, which shouldn’t be hard because host city Atlanta offers plenty to see and do!

(Cover images: Top Photo: © 2015, Gene Phillips, Courtesy of Atlanta Convention & Visitors Bureau and AtlantaPhotos.com; Bottom Photo: © 2021, Atlanta Convention & Visitors Bureau)

INSIDE

COLUMNS

12 SCHEDULING AND TRACKING

PREVENTIVE MAINTENANCE

Performing certain maintenance tasks regularly can prolong the life of your laundromat’s equipment but there are a couple aspects to a preventive maintenance program aside from the work itself that can, as they say, “make or break it.”

18 WHERE THERE’S LAUNDRY, THERE’S ART For the last several months, the Masonic Street Laundromat has served its Northampton, Massachusetts, community in a unique way beyond cleaning clothes: it’s also been an art gallery. Owner Jason Foster explains.

DEPARTMENTS 4 VIEWPOINT 26 PRODUCT NEWS 28 NEWSMAKERS

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30 CLASSIFIEDS 30 AD INDEX

20 EIGHT MUSTS FOR LOCATING YOUR LAUNDRY There are many variables to consider when hunting a location to develop a new laundry, says Tod Sorensen, vice president of distributor Continental Girbau West.

A good location is key to bringing customers in the door, and Sorensen has created a list of eight musts.

22 POINTERS FROM PAULIE B: MAKING THE DECISION TO EXPAND So far, the laundromat business has been good for you.

So good, in fact, that your laundromat can’t accommodate all the customers during busy times. Is it time to expand? Retired multi-store owner Paul Russo analyzes some options for expanding laterally, through relocation, or even through pickup and delivery.

DID YOU KNOW...

American Coin-Op releases a new podcast on a different topic of interest every other month? Give it a listen at AmericanCoinOp.com/podcasts/archive.

www.americancoinop.com

VIEWPOINT

Charles Thompson, Publisher E-mail: cthompson@ATMags.com Phone: 312-361-1680

Donald Feinstein, Associate Publisher/ National Sales Director E-mail: dfeinstein@ATMags.com Phone: 312-361-1682

ATLANTA, HERE WE COME!

Bruce Beggs

It’s been a long three years since the industry last gathered for an edition of The Clean Show. I’m excited to make my way to host city Atlanta in late summer to see some familiar faces, and to learn what our manufacturers, suppliers, software developers and others have been hard at work creating since we last met.

I’ll have plenty of show-specific content about Clean 2022 in next month’s Show Guide issue. This month, we talk travel and tourism Atlanta-style!

If you’re headed to Georgia in late July, you’ll want to check out “Sights & Sounds of ‘The A,’ starting on page 6. Courtesy of show organizer Messe Frankfurt, the Atlanta Convention & Visitors Bureau and other sources, we share suggestions for passing the time away from the show floor.

There are listings for Activities & Attractions; Restaurants, Bars & Nightlife; and Shopping and More. I’m sure you’ll find something there to like.

Me, I think I’ll ride the SkyView Ferris wheel to get a bird’s eye view of the city. That’ll be peachy.

••••• This month’s other main feature is “Scheduling and Tracking Preventive Maintenance,” starting on page 12. Service-minded representatives from seven distributors across the country offer their thoughts on the benefits of planning for and logging a laundry’s PM efforts.

Other content includes a guest column by Tod Sorensen on locating a laundry, a quick visit to Masonic Street Laundromat’s “art gallery,” and a Pointers from Paulie B column on making the decision to expand.

Enjoy the last few weeks leading up to summer. Then, it’s exhibition season!

Bruce Beggs Editorial Director

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AMERICAN COIN-OP JUNE 2022

Bruce Beggs, Editorial Director E-mail: bbeggs@ATMags.com Phone: 312-361-1683 Mathew Pawlak, Production Manager Nathan Frerichs, Digital Media Director E-mail: nfrerichs@ATMags.com Phone: 312-361-1681

ADVISORY BOARD Douglas Pratt Sharon Sager Andy Wray

Tony Regan Michael Schantz

OFFICE INFORMATION Main: 312-361-1700

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Single copies $10.00 for U.S., $20.00 for all other countries. Published by American Trade Magazines LLC, 650 West Lake Street, Suite 320, Chicago, IL 60661. Periodicals postage paid at Chicago, IL and at additional mailing offices.

POSTMASTER, Send changes of address and form 3579 to American Coin-Op, Subscription Dept., 125 Schelter Rd., #350, Lincolnshire, IL 60069-3666. Volume 63, number 6. Editorial, executive and advertising offices are at 650 West Lake Street, Suite 320, Chicago, IL 60661. Charles Thompson, President and Publisher. American Coin-Op is distributed selectively to owners, operators and managers of chain and individually owned coin-operated laundry establishments in the United States. The publisher reserves the right to reject any advertising for any reason. © Copyright AMERICAN TRADE MAGAZINES LLC, 2022. Printed in U.S.A. No part of this publication may be transmitted or reproduced in any form, electronic or mechanical, without written permission from the publisher or his representative. American Coin-Op does not endorse, recommend or guarantee any article, product, service or information found within. Opinions expressed are those of the writers and do not necessarily reflect the views of American Coin-Op or its staff. While precautions have been taken to ensure the accuracy of the magazine’s contents at time of publication, neither the editors, publishers nor its agents can accept responsibility for damages or injury which may arise therefrom.

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Clean Show Travel Guide

Sights and S

Clean 2022 host city Atlanta offers plenty to see and do

T

he Clean Show will return to “The A”—Atlanta—this summer and show organizer Messe Frankfurt wants attendees to enjoy their stay while away from the show floor.

Will you be there for the late July/early August event at the Georgia World Congress Center? Here from Messe Frankfurt, the Atlanta Convention & Visitors Bureau (https:// discoveratlanta.com/acvb) and other sources is some important information about the city and things to do during your spare time. Are you ready to explore and get the most from the beautiful city of Atlanta?

GET YOUR BEARINGS Atlanta is an urban oasis that exudes Southern hospitality, and everyone is buzzing about the destination, including Lonely Planet and National Geographic. These travel experts and global brands named Atlanta to their Best of Travel lists for 2022. There are many reasons why the destination is a great place for meetings,

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The Georgia Aquarium plays host to hundreds of exhibits and tens of thousands of animals across its seven major galleries. (Photo: ACVB Marketing/Melissa McAlpine)

including its walkable convention and entertainment district.

There are plenty of flights into Atlanta, with 20 airlines operating out of Hartsfield-Jackson International Airport, deemed the busiest airport by passenger traffic in the world since 1998.

Owned and operated by the City of Atlanta, the airport provides nonstop service to 150 U.S. destinations and 70 international locations in more than 50 countries.

As one might expect, there are various local transportation options available from/to the airport, including shared-ride shuttles, hotel shuttles, ride-sharing services like Uber and Lyft, taxi service, bus service and more. To learn what’s available and the cost, visit the airport’s website at www.atl.com/ground-transportation.

If you’ll be attending Clean but haven’t yet booked a hotel room, Messe Frankfurt has arranged for exclusive discounts and amenities at various Atlanta hotels, some of which are located within walking distance of the convention center. Reservations must be made through Connections Housing (www.connectionshousing.com/LandingPage/Clean2022.php) by July 7.

Hotels included are Aloft Atlanta Downtown Hotel, Atlanta Marriott Marquis, Courtyard Atlanta Downtown, Embassy Suites Atlanta at Centennial Park, Hilton Garden Inn Atlanta Downtown, Holiday Inn Express & Suites Atlanta Downtown, Omni Hotel at CNN Center, Renaissance Atlanta Midtown and The Westin Peachtree Plaza.

Accessibility is one of Atlanta’s strongest assets and navigating the city is a breeze upon arrival with MARTA, Atlanta’s rapid rail system. A short train ride directly connects the airport to the meeting districts of Downtown, Midtown and Buckhead, with the city’s famous Peachtree Street serving as the main thoroughfare.

Clean Show attendees will be able to take advantage of complimentary shuttle bus service to and from the Georgia World Congress Center during specified times on show days. Pickups

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Sounds of ‘The A’ No trip to Downtown Atlanta is complete without a visit to Centennial Olympic Park, a 22-acre greenspace that anchors a thriving entertainment and hospitality district. (Photo: © 2019, Gene Phillips, Courtesy of ACVB & AtlantaPhotos.com)

ACTIVITIES & ATTRACTIONS Georgia Aquarium. Dive into the nation’s largest aquarium with over 10 million gallons of fresh and salt water. Explore and enjoy the Aquarium’s galleries, shows, animal interactions and encounters, behind the seas, and more! 225 Baker Street Northwest, www.georgiaaquarium.org.

College Football Hall of Fame. 95,000 square feet. A 45-yard indoor football field. More than 50 engaging and interactive exhibits. A shrine to the greatest to ever play or coach the game. 250 Marietta St NW, www.cfbhall.com.

National Center for Civil and Human Rights.

Opened in 2014, it’s a museum and human rights organization that inspires people to tap their own power to change the world around them. Iconic exhibitions feature the papers and artifacts of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.; the history of the U.S. civil rights movement; and stories from the struggle for human rights around the world today. 100 Ivan Allen Jr. Blvd.

NW, www.civilandhumanrights.org.

World of Coca-Cola. Do you want to have some fun?

What about tasting different fizzy drinks from around the world? Yes, you can do it and much more, including finding out Coke’s secret formula, during your visit here.

121 Baker St NW, www.worldofcoca-cola.com.

Atlanta Botanical Garden. The perfect place to relax and recharge your batteries for the next day’s show. The place is renowned for its 30 acres of

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outdoor gardens, plant collections, beautiful displays, famed functionality only a Porsche can offer. With and spectacular exhibitions. A nature lover’s must-go! multiple driving tracks, the Heritage Gallery museum, 1345 Piedmont Ave Northeast, www.atlantabg.org. and on-site dining, this experience has something for Delta Flight Museum. The museum is a everyone! One Porsche Drive, www.porschedriving.

68,000-square-foot facility at the airline’s world com/atlanta. headquarters in Atlanta, featuring five historic SkyView Atlanta. Ride a gondola to experience the aircraft, and hundreds of items tracing Delta’s history city from 20 stories up. It’s a thrilling view during the day and the development of commercial aviation. 1060 and a breathtaking sight at night. You’ll see everything Delta Blvd., Hapeville, www.deltamuseum.org. from Stone Mountain Park to Midtown’s Georgia Tech Centennial Olympic Park. Pay homage to campus. 168 Luckie St NW, www.skyviewatlanta.com.

Atlanta’s Olympic legacy, take a selfie with the Olympic rings, splash around in the Fountain of Rings, enjoy a nice picnic or play on the lush green space with downtown views in every direction. Many of Atlanta’s top attractions, restaurants and venues are only steps away. 265 Park Ave W NW, www.gwcca.org/centennialolympic-park.

The Porsche Experience Center. 1.6 miles of skill-focused, purpose-built Renowned plant collections, beautiful displays and spectacular exhibitions make for a driving that is designed lovely visit to the Atlanta Botanical Garden. (Photo: ACVB Marketing/Lily Leiva) to test drivers and the

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along three routes will be at or near nine official show hotels.

If you’re driving to the Georgia World Congress Center, several parking options are available; visit www.gwccparking.com to learn more.

An authentic German beer garden in the heart of Atlanta, Der Biergarten provides an extensive selection of beers and traditional German fare. (Photo: ACVB Marketing)

MIX LEISURE WITH BUSINESS

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Atlanta is a dynamic destination with an unmatched convention and entertainment district. Hotels, restaurants and attractions are mere steps away from Georgia World Congress Center, making it easy to traverse when free time arises. Downtime during an event is precious, so why not make the most of it?

Many of Atlanta’s world-class attractions are within Downtown’s walkable Centennial Park District. The iconic green space known as Centennial Olympic Park is the anchor of the neighborhood and surrounded by the Chick-fil-A College Football Hall of Fame, Georgia Aquarium and the National Center for Civil and Human Rights. By purchasing an Atlanta

RESTAURANTS, BARS & NIGHTLIFE

A

fter a busy day on the show floor, treat yourself to a great meal and a night on the town! Check out the selection that Messe Frankfurt created especially for Clean Show attendees, all just a quick walk or ride from downtown: Alma Cocina. Modern Mexican fare and cocktails located in Downtown Atlanta. Enjoy delicious dishes and fantastic service. Bright, fresh ingredients and regional influences shine through lunch tortas and taquito spreads, seasonal guacamoles and salsas, and traditional chicken mole Oaxaca full of rich flavor.

Sample from the most diverse tequila selection in the city and an inventive cocktail list while enjoying a destination dining experience to remember. 191 Peachtree St NE, 404-968-9662.

Bacchanalia. One of the most celebrated restaurants in the city, Bacchanalia features contemporary American cuisine from chefs Anne Quatrano and Clifford Harrison. The entire menu relies on organic ingredients sourced from the chefs’ farm, creating a unique dining experience for the guests. 1460 Ellsworth Industrial Blvd., 404-365-0410.

Bar Mercado. Did we hear Spanish tapas? Bar Mercado has you covered! It’s a casual, multi-regional Spanish tapas restaurant and bar, and the perfect place to have a drink with your industry friends! 99-V Krog St., 414-480-4866.

Bold Monk Brewing Co. Like your favorite piece of music or your most prized work of literature, the Bold Monk exists to bring comfort in your time of leisure.

Bold Monk is a place to simply be … to be satisfied, to be joyous, to be connected, to be well. In their restaurant, brewery, bookstore, coffee house, and beer garden, you’ll find your space. The Complex, 1737 Ellsworth Industrial Blvd. NW, Bldg. B, 404-390-3288.

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AMERICAN COIN-OP JUNE 2022

By George at The Candler Hotel. Serving breakfast, brunch and dinner in Peachtree Street’s most elegant dining room, By George offers sophisticated cuisine in the spirit of classic Contemporary American cooking, spearheaded by two-time James Beard Award-winning Chef Hugh Acheson. To match Acheson’s food will be an extensive wine program helmed by accomplished sommelier Steven Grubbs and keen cocktails from the talented hands of Kellie Thorn. 127 Peachtree St. NE, 470-851-2752.

Bulla Gastrobar. Featuring a bar and open kitchen, the place serves quality gastronomic creations made with the finest and freshest flavors, along with handcrafted cocktails and an impressive wine list. A great place to celebrate with business partners and peers! 60 11th St. NE, 404-900-6926.

Der Biergarten. The menu here features traditional German pub foods such as brats, pretzels with mustard, and strudels. German beers like Weihenstephan, Warsteiner and Spaten are on draft. There may or may not be live music on any given night on the patio. 300 Marietta St. NW, 404-521-2728.

No Mas! Cantina No Mas! is downtown Atlanta’s answer to amazing dining and shopping in the Castleberry Hill Historic + Art district. It has become a cultural oasis, with several businesses revolving around Mexico, all under one roof. No Mas! has become a mainstay of visitors looking for something to do within walking distance of all downtown attractions.

With 350 seats in the main restaurant, 80-plus tequilas, fresh desserts, every type of coffee, breakfast daily in the cafe, and shopping in the Artisan Market from over 500 artisans of Mexico, there is something for everyone here. 180 Walker St. SW, Ste. B, 404-574-5678.

Northside Tavern. The tavern was built in the 1940s

as a neighborhood grocery store/gas station. Today, it has evolved into a lively musical gathering spot known for its blues and has become a fixture of the area, even voted No. 9 of the 50 Best Bars in Atlanta by Atlanta Magazine. 1058 Howell Mill Rd NW, 404-874-8745.

STATS Brewpub. STATS features a classic American menu that includes something for everyone. The unique take on tried-and-true favorites is sure to please every palate. Find your favorite beer, cocktails and wine at every turn while enjoying your favorite sporting event on one of their 70 high-definition TVs. 300 Marietta St., 404-801-3258.

The Tabernacle. Located in Downtown Atlanta’s Centennial Olympic Park District, The Tabernacle building has a rich and storied history. It opened in 1910 as The Broughton Tabernacle. Dr. Leonard Gaston Broughton, the pastor and a physician, started the Georgia Baptist Medical Center and nursing school, which began as the Tabernacle infirmary with three beds.

The Third Baptist Church was an active congregation with over 4,000 members. The congregation relocated during the mid-’80s and the building lay vacant until the 1996 Olympic Games, when it was converted into a House of Blues club. Now operated by Live Nation, The Tabernacle houses a variety of concerts and events regularly. 152 Luckie Street NW, 404-659-9022.

White Oak Kitchen & Cocktails. This spot adds a creative zest to dining and events in downtown Atlanta. The kitchen at White Oak prepares food that reflects the dynamic contradictions of Southern life. The merging of contemporary with traditional, simple with complex, and rural with metropolitan are represented in a menu that requires precise methods of production, yet results in plates that appear simple and familiar. 270 Peachtree St NW, 100, 404-524-7200.

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CityPASS booklet (www.citypass.com/atlanta), you can save up to 44% on tickets to visit all these facilities.

Take a ride on Atlanta Streetcar to Sweet Auburn Municipal Market when it’s time for a bite to eat in the city’s oldest food hall.

After spending a little time in Midtown, you’ll learn why Atlanta is called the City in the Forest. Piedmont Park is home to the largest concentration of trees in the district, providing plenty of room to stroll and unwind in the urban oasis. While there is greenery all around, Midtown has Atlanta’s finest arts and cultural institutions. Center for Puppetry Arts (https:// puppet.org), Fox Theatre (https://www.foxtheatre.org), High Museum of Art (https://high.org), Museum of Design Atlanta https://www.museumofdesign.org), and the SCAD FASH Museum of Fashion + Film (www.scadfash.org) make this neighborhood an art lover’s haven.

Buckhead is known as Atlanta’s most stylish in-town neighborhood with remarkable landscapes and architecture. Not only does Buckhead have some of the city’s most superb restaurants and rooftop lounges, it also features Atlanta’s best-known shopping destinations.

Buckhead Village District (www.buckheadvillagedistrict.com), Lenox Square (www.simon.com/mall/lenox-square) and Phipps Plaza (www.simon.com/mall/phipps-plaza) house popular brands and trendy fashions, situated adjacent to luxury hotels equipped with spas for pampering. The most famous home here is Swan House (www.atlantahistorycenter.com/buildings-and-grounds/ swan-house), located at Atlanta History Center, which served as the backdrop of major motion pictures.

The areas surrounding Atlanta are beautiful and well worth a short drive outside the city. Highlights include Stone Mountain Park (www.stonemountainpark.com), Chattahoochee Nature Center (www.chattnaturecenter.org) and numerous locations in the metro region with trails for hiking.

FUN TIME FOR FOODIES Simply put, Atlanta is a foodie city, and Atlantans are known for their love of eating out. Atlanta is one of the most culturally diverse cities in North America and as the home to many headquarters of international corporations, the culinary scene is rich in diversity. Local chefs can be relied upon to create distinctly ATL takes on traditional dishes from all over the world.

To get a true sense of the extensive restaurant scene, venture into the neighborhoods where the locals eat. Pop-ups abound offering a platform for rising talent, supported by established chefs. Seasonal, locally sourced produce appears in the everchanging menus of many establishments. The neighborhoods each have their specialty to offer: • Buford Highway offers more than 1,000 ethnically diverse eateries, • Buckhead is renowned for its fine dining and steakhouses, • Southwest Atlanta offers the best Southern cuisine in the world, along with vegan and vegetarian options that will have you coming back for more, and • Both the Westside and Eastside’s food halls from Chattahoochee Food Works to Ponce City Food Market in Old Fourth Ward offer some of the best flavors of Atlanta.

Search restaurants by cuisine if you have a craving for something specific, or browse by neighborhood to discover what’s on the menu just around the corner. Wherever your taste buds take you in Atlanta, we bet you’ll ask to keep the sweet tea coming.

WEATHER EXPECTATIONS Visitors arriving in late July/early August can expect warm temperatures, with highs averaging near 89. Average lows then are in the lower 70s. Besides packing some comfortable clothes, you may want to add an umbrella just in case one of the region’s many summertime thunderstorms rumbles through during your stay.

SHOPPING & MORE

Ave Southeast, https://municipalmarketatl.com.

Krog Street Market. Nestled in the heart fresh produce, seafood and meats to baked of Inman Park, Krog Street Market is a food The Municipal Market (aka The Sweet goods, sweets, and local restaurants serving hall housed in a restored factory. It’s home to Auburn Curb Market). Founded in 1918 as an Vietnamese, soul food, pizza, and Cajun and market stalls featuring prepared foods, produce open-air market, the Municipal Market (known Creole cuisine. Restaurant stalls change often and gourmet treats. Locals love this market by locals as Curb Market) resides on the border here, so it’s best to check online before heading for shopping, visiting and dining. 99 Krog St., between Downtown Atlanta and historic Sweet over. Closed Sunday and Monday. Easily acceshttps://krogstreetmarket.com.

Auburn. The market features dozens of local sible via the Atlanta StreetCar. 209 Edgewood Ponce City Market. Nestled in the Old Fourth shops and food stalls offering everything from Ward along the Atlanta BeltLine Eastside Trail, Ponce City Market is one Krog Street Market, nestled in the heart of Inman Park, is a food hall housed in a restored factory. Expect market stalls of Atlanta’s favorite gathering spots. featuring prepared foods, produce and gourmet treats. (Photo: © 2017, Gene Phillips, Courtesy of ACVB & AtlantaPhotos.com) In 2014, the market began reopening the fully renovated old Sears & Roebuck building, dating to the 1860s, populating it with retail, office space and dining. Most recently, it opened a residential section with flats easily accessible to dining, shopping and work. 675 Ponce De Leon Ave Northeast, www.poncecitymarket.com.

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Scheduling and Tracking

Preventive Maintenance

by Bruce Beggs, Editorial Director

P

erforming certain daily, monthly and yearly tasks can prolong the life of your laundromat’s equipment, thereby keeping your customers happy. But there are a couple aspects to a preventive maintenance (PM) program aside from the work itself that can, as they say, “make or break it.”

Scheduling those PM tasks—determining future dates/times to perform certain work like cleaning out machine components or replacing wearable parts—can help ensure this critical labor is done and equipment continues to operate like it’s supposed to.

Tracking the work—logging the chores that are performed and when—can help a store owner chart a piece of equipment’s useful life and maybe even anticipate when it will need to be replaced.

American Coin-Op sought the input of representatives from several equipment distributors across the country about the importance and benefits of scheduling and tracking PM work.

THE MAKINGS OF A GOOD PROGRAM What does a good PM program look like?

“A good preventative maintenance program maximizes efficiency and minimizes machine downtime,” says Cheo Cruz, service and install manager for CLEC Distribution in Dallas. “Reduced repair costs are another key to having a good preventive maintenance program.” “(The store is) well maintained, (there are) written records, (and it’s) organized, clean and safe,” says Bob Macauley, service manager for Curtis Equipment, Lowell, Michigan.

“Good maintenance plans reduce stress for customer and owner, reduce downtime, prolong life of equipment, promote safety, increase efficiency and maximize revenue,” adds Trampis Kelly, 12

AMERICAN COIN-OP JUNE 2022

(Photo: © stillfx/Depositphotos)

service manager for SLM (Service Laundry Machinery) Corp. based in Belton, South Carolina.

“The best operators not only have schedules in place, but also have daily or weekly task sheets for employees to assist in PM on an ongoing basis,” comments Andy Wray, sales manager for ACE Commercial Laundry Equipment, Westminster, California, “which allows them (to) usually have the most equipment working and running optimally in the market.”

According to the reps interviewed, a laundry’s personnel should be able to handle the more basic maintenance tasks that might include: • Cleaning of interior and exterior of machines • Checking/cleaning soap boxes, water filters, drain valves, lint screens/filters, coin drops/card readers, pressure switch tubes • Checking/replacing hoses, door gaskets, belts • Lubricating easily accessible points on equipment • Testing dryer temperatures Work that involves the main bearings and motors, dealing with electronics, troubleshooting electrical issues, disassembling/cleaning interior components, as well as tasks that require specialty tools or training is probably best left to service professionals.

Investors with brand-new stores in the pipeline can reduce their maintenance headaches later by ensuring certain aspects of their laundromat are designed and built properly, according to Terry Risner, service manager for Laundry Solutions Co., headquartered in Springfield, Missouri.

“Adequately sizing utilities at the beginning of a project can significantly reduce the amount of maintenance issues over the life of the equipment as well as make routine maintenance easier,” he says. “This increases the equipment’s ROI and (reduces) the amount of maintenance-related headaches for the operator.”

RECOMMENDATIONS? For the new laundry owner who’s just learning about scheduling maintenance, distributor reps had some recommendations.

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Prioritizing regular care to extend equipment life

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“Talk to other laundromat owners and see what they do,” suggests Mike “Stucky” Szczotka, president of Eagle Star Equipment, Troy, Mich. “Read articles in trade magazines. Contact your local distributor for guidance. Then do it yourself for at least the first few months so you know exactly what can be done and how long it takes. If you do nothing else as far as maintenance goes, keep everything clean so when things start breaking down, a technician will have an easier time diagnosing the problem.”

“I would tell them to get to know their equipment and to follow the manufacturer’s recommended daily, weekly and monthly maintenance schedules for each piece of equipment they own,” says Risner. “Also, I would recommend they attend distributor service schools/open houses and/or their manufacturer’s training schools.”

“Not to say each machine is different but get to know your equipment’s quirks,” Wray says. “Speak with your distributor, repairman or manufacturers for PM recommendations. Also, common sense plays a huge factor. All of the machines are running at different turns, so some of the ‘higher-volume’ machines might need more attention than others.”

“Be patient when creating a maintenance program, and do not be afraid to add more to the list,” advises Cruz. “Some tasks will require some time to complete, so do not set an expectation of time or you’ll be looking at the time and end up disappointed that it took longer than you expected. Remember, maintenance is not about speed but more about protecting your ROI. “I always recommend splitting the store in two. That way, you can take your time going through the machines without having that feeling of dread that the other half of the store still needs to be completed before you can stop for the day.”

“New laundry owners need to understand how important preventive maintenance will be for the long term of their business,” says Kelly. “The huge investment that has been made needs constant attention to operate at maximum efficiency. They need to be dedicated to a schedule, and please don’t neglect to follow through with scheduled maintenance. The safety implications alone can create huge problems for customers and staff as well as unnecessary damage to equipment.”

“Get acquainted with your equipment after you’ve opened up,” says Brandon Hoffman, who works in sales for Gold Coin Laundry Equipment, Jamaica, New York. “When something is wrong, something will tell you—you’ll hear a noise, you’ll hear a leak, you’ll hear a vibration, you’ll see water on the floor. Just be a good, all-around

owner in general and just pay attention to your equipment.”

But a store owner doesn’t have to rely solely on his/her own senses to detect possible trouble. Much of the laundry equipment available today has software built in capable of tracking errors or unusual operating events. Management software can immediately notify an operator of critical errors or send reminders that maintenance is due on certain equipment.

In many cases, simple wear and tear is a predictor of impending service issues. Tracking your high-volume pieces of equipment will keep their PM needs front and center.

And while washers and dryers may naturally get the most attention when it comes to maintenance, don’t fail to keep up other store components such as laundry carts, water heaters, chemical pumps, ozone systems, changers, vending machines, drain troughs, sewer lines, vent pipes and surveillance/alarm systems.

“Just about anything in a laundry can use some maintenance attention from time to time,” Risner advises.

WHY KEEP PM RECORDS? Performing the recommended and needed tasks is at the heart of any PM program but keeping track of the work that’s been done carries its own importance.

“So you always know what has been done and when, and what needs to be done and when,” says Macauley matter-of-factly.

“It is very important to keep records for a number of reasons,” asserts Kelly, “one being, it proves you are maintaining equipment in regards to warranty issues. Other reasons being it shows the staff and customers you are serious about safety concerns, and it will also be proof to fire inspectors and insurance companies in the event of an accident.”

“Logging maintenance issues is important because it helps (you) better understand which areas of the store (are) having issues and what each machine is costing you in maintenance,” says Szczotka.

“At some point in a machine’s life … it makes more financial sense to replace it with new equipment. Tracking tasks is also important to see if there is a recurring problem on a piece of equipment.”

“Not only does it limit the headaches, but also keeps machines running in optimal fashion,” says Wray. “They run efficiently and cut utilities to make the owner more and more (money) each load. Just like a car being serviced, so should each component of (your) laundromat.” (continued on page 25)

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AMERICAN COIN-OP JUNE 2022

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Where There’s Laundry,

There’s Art Masonic Street Laundromat acts as gallery for Smith College artists

In collaboration with Smith College, Jason Foster’s Masonic Street Laundromat recently doubled as an art gallery for the college’s students. Here, Foster takes a look at some of the pieces on display. (Photo: Masonic Street Laundromat)

F

or the last several months, the Masonic Street Laundromat has served its Northampton, Massachusetts, community in a unique way beyond cleaning clothes: it’s also been an art gallery.

In collaboration with Smith College, the laundry doubled as a gallery throughout much of the just-completed academic year.

Owner Jason Foster says you don’t usually see local art showcased in laundromats, especially an unattended store like his, but he and those who helped him have been able to make it work.

After graduating college with a degree in business, Foster worked in market research, first living in Shanghai, then in London. When he and his wife had their first child, they decided it was time to return to the United States, and Northampton—an hour or so from Foster’s boyhood home in Connecticut—was where they chose to put down roots.

Looking for business opportunities, Foster saw that the local laundromat was for sale. He’s not skilled mechanically, he admits, but believes he’s been able to improve the business since buying the store in January 2019. He lives close enough that he can walk there in less than 10 minutes, and visits regularly to make collections and 18

AMERICAN COIN-OP JUNE 2022

take care of other tasks.

“It’s not a big laundromat,” he says. “Let’s just say a thousand square feet. There’s about 16 washers and 12 dryers.”

Foster favors his unattended model and doesn’t plan to add wash/dry/fold despite its growing popularity.

“I’d rather grow my revenue without having the need for an employee, or wash/dry/fold, or me doing it for them,” he says. “I would rather increase revenue by having those machines produce my revenue instead of me producing revenue with the machines.”

Foster describes Northampton, population roughly 30,000, as an “artsy and academic city.” All-female Smith College is at its city center, just a few blocks from Masonic Street.

In early 2020, he was contacted by Amrita Acharya, a Smith College student who was studying ethnography—the customs of individual peoples and cultures—and producing a similarly themed podcast through the student newspaper. They recorded an hour-long episode about Foster’s laundry and how it’s “the perfect blend of all walks of life and ethnography of a community,” he remembers Acharya saying.

The two stayed in touch. When the pandemic hit later in the year, they chatted about its impact on his business. Then, Acharya asked if the laundry could host an art show for the students’ benefit as well as his, and Foster thought it was a great idea, provided students accepted that he couldn’t fully protect their paintings, photography and drawings in the unattended premises.

“We met multiple times. She organized the whole thing and before you knew it, she was jurying art because she had more interest than we thought we had wall space for,” Foster says.

“There’s about 30-plus pieces hanging on the wall now.”

And that’s not counting Foster’s “live” art piece: hundreds of left-behind socks affixed to one wall, always changing as one sock is claimed and others join the group.

The college organized the “gallery’s” opening night in October 2021, drawing at least 200 people, including student and local press. As time passed, other art pieces were introduced to keep things fresh. The exhibition ran through the academic year that just ended in May. When interviewed a few months prior, Foster said he was getting “at least three to five people every day that walk into that laundromat just to look at the artwork.” He hopes to build on the gallery concept and feature artwork from the community at large.

“People are coming in because it’s unique,” he says. www.americancoinop.com

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EIGHT MUSTS FOR LOCATING YOUR LAUNDRY T

Tod Sorensen

here are many variables to consider when hunting a location to develop a new laundry. Making a good choice will set your business up for success. Above all, a good location is key to bringing customers in the door.

I’ve created a list of eight location musts:

1. Connect with Your Local Laundry Equipment Distributor Whether you have a location in mind, or need help finding one, your first step is to contact your distributor. Not only does your distributor know your market and understand the characteristics of a great location, they hunt potential laundry sites every day. Plus, they will work alongside you to develop your laundry from start to finish.

3. High Traffic Density Seek a location on a street with dense traffic for greater visibility and more potential customers. A lower speed limit or traffic light slow down passersby so they have more time to notice your store. A lower speed limit also makes it easy for customers to enter and exit the facility.

4. Adequate Parking Ample and accessible parking is critical. It’s important to make access easier for people who do not live nearby or who use vehicles to get to or near your location. An easy entrance and exit are critical. Remember, if a person is going to load up a week’s worth of laundry in the car, and you don’t have proper parking, they will drive on to the next laundry.

5. Safe and Visible While it may seem obvious, it’s essential your vended laundry location is safe and visible. Attendants, bright lighting and

ph (Gra

2. Look for Anchor Stores It’s always a plus to locate a laundry near an anchor store, such as a major grocery store, or in a shopping center. Obviously, these anchor stores draw customers.

20

AMERICAN COIN-OP JUNE 2022

ics:

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security systems help customers feel safe while inside the laundry. Be sure its location is also safe where visibility is good. Positioning your laundry to maximize its visibility is important. Consider locating it on a corner between two streets and maximizing window frontage to allow passersby to see inside.

6. Competitive Analysis Look around your location for competitors. Determine how far away they are, how they are equipped, the services www.americancoinop.com

the success of your laundry location if you’re offering wash/dry/fold and have large-capacity machines.

Your distributor will run a demographic analysis; it will show a population’s age range, socioeconomic circumstances, whether they rent or own, and languages spoken. All of these play into the services you’ll provide, and how you’ll ultimately equip and market your laundry.

they offer, and how much they charge.

A good distributor will put together a competitive analysis to see if a selected location remains viable.

7. Dense Population and Rental-Rich An area with dense population and a high percentage of renters is a positive.

There are more people to draw from, and renters in apartment complexes don’t typically have laundries in their apartments.

Remember, homeowners can also add to

www.americancoinop.com

8. Location Cost Depending on the town or city, the costs of goods, real estate, rent and utilities vary. If you’re renting a building to house your laundry, your distributor can help you with lease negotiation to ensure your laundry metrics will fall into place.

There are no guarantees, but a wellestablished distributor should have plenty of references to back up what they project. A viability study, conducted by your distributor, will help determine when you might recover your investment.

Tod Sorensen is a regional business manager at Girbau North America and vice president of Continental Girbau West, a full-service distributorship serving the Southern California vended, on-premise and industrial laundry markets. He has more than 20 years of experience in vended laundry development and market analysis. He can be reached at tsorensen@ gnalaundry.com, 866-950-2449.

JUNE 2022

AMERICAN COIN-OP 21

POINTERS FROM PAULIE B

MAKING THE DECISION TO EXPAND S

Paul Russo

22

may need to expand … if you can.

You also need to ask yourself, “Is operating another new mat, or a bigger mat, something that I really want to do?” Will you have the time to work more hours?

Can you handle the extra stress that comes with a new risk? Are you OK with more of everything, including emergency calls? Do you have enough money to expand?

Let’s look at some advantages. While building another mat near yours can potentially double your income, you’ll enjoy an economy of scale that will not double your time nor quite double your expenses. While you are out on the road visiting one mat, it’s not twice as hard to visit another one. You’ll be advertising for two mats instead of one, buying supplies in larger quantities that will give you some economy of scale. You can shuttle employees and/or drop-offs from one store to another.

After all, you already have in place many of the tools to open another mat: your lawyer, accountant, work car, bank accounts, plumbers, electricians, etc.

Landlords, distributors, and any other companies you do business with will take notice that you have a growing business, which should earn you some respect when they deal with you.

So, let’s say you’re leaning toward expanding. What are some options?

Lateral Expansions — You may not even be thinking of expanding when a store next to you becomes empty. If you have a history of paying rent on time with no headaches, you may even get a call from your landlord offering the store to you before it becomes available to the public (that happened to me twice).

This is the best scenario. After all, you’re already visiting that mat. Making it twice as big doesn’t require much more of your time to run.

You’ll still have the same crew, probably only slightly bigger. If you’re gung-ho about expanding your existing mat, then you might want to give your landlord a heads-up that you’re looking to expand.

You may even want to get “a right of first refusal” added to your lease when it’s time to renew.

However, just because a space becomes available doesn’t mean you could or should (Photo: © iqoncept/Depositphotos) expand.

o far, the laundromat business has been good for you. So good, in fact, that your mat can’t accommodate all the customers during busy times, resulting in more and more “walkouts” when they can’t get a machine. You also notice your busy times are lasting longer and happening more frequently.

Pat yourself on the back because you’re doing something right!

Now that you’re enjoying some hard-earned success, what are you thinking about for the future? If you’re satisfied, then just keep doing what you’ve been doing. Maybe just raise your vend prices to control the “herd.”

The problem with using price increases to cut down crowds is that you can only raise prices for so long.

Plus, you’ll still have a small mat. If your mat pleases so many people, isn’t it better to give them more of what they love, rather than make them pay more for it?

While it is indeed a thrill that more and more people are choosing your mat, it’s wise to not let this go on for too long.

A busy mat can invite competition. Its machines wear out faster, have more “Out of Order” signs, and require more maintenance. More fights break out among customers when it’s too busy. More and more customers ask you, “When is this laundromat slow?” Employees may quit under the strain. These are all signs that you

AMERICAN COIN-OP JUNE 2022

www.americancoinop.com

www.americancoinop.com

to double but they only went up around 60%. I was caught completely off-guard.

My profit actually went down the first year due to the extra expenses. The next year, sales rose to a more comfortable point, but not before I spent a lot of time and effort trying to boost that mat. So ask yourself, “Where will my extra customers come from?”

Other Expansion Options — Aside from a simple lateral expansion, you have other options.

Try relocating to a bigger/better spot in your existing building (expensive, but doable if it makes economic sense). I did that back in 2003.

My mat was bursting at the seams, while a convenience store in the building was too big for the owner’s sales. I got together with the landlord and basically paid that store owner to switch stores!

His store was twice as big as mine and had much better parking, but he couldn’t afford to pay the rent much longer at the time. I made a deal to close down his store

so I could build it into a mat, instead of him trying to sell it. When the new store was completed, I sold the machines in my little mat and began operating the new mat, then proceeded to give him a “vanilla box,” an empty commercial space finished (new sheetrock, basic plumbing, basic flooring, etc.) to the point that he could customize it at his own expense. He set up a brand-new convenience store in a lowerrent location. Win! Yet another choice is to build in another neighborhood. I did that a few times as well.

The easiest by far is to simply build a new mat expansion in an empty space right next to your mat. You can design and build a mat expansion in the new space while your existing mat is still operating.

Customers love the anticipation, especially since they can see the construction next door progress.

On the last day of construction, your contractor will take down the wall separating your old mat with the new so you may only need to close for a day or two.

▼

Before committing any money, you need to know if it’s even possible to expand.

Check the zoning for your area to determine if the city building department will allow another mat, or a bigger mat, there.

It’s also important to check if there’s enough infrastructure to economically double your plumbing and electric. Some localities have sizable hookup fees that could substantially raise the cost of opening when commercial washers are installed in an area you may not be familiar with.

If you didn’t build your existing mat and don’t know about the possible fees, you should verify all this first.

Last, but certainly not least, does your area have enough potential customers to support doubling your mat, even though it’s currently busting at the seams?

That was an issue at one store I owned.

Business was great for years. Eventually, an empty space came up right next to my mat. I took it, nearly doubling the mat size. But the entire first year, the sales were disappointing. I had targeted them

JUNE 2022

AMERICAN COIN-OP 23

POINTERS FROM PAULIE B In New York City, a lateral expansion meant that you could keep the same paperwork required of the original mat by the Department of Consumer Affairs because you were simply making it bigger.

If you changed to a new or different address, it became a brand-new application for Consumer Affairs, which many know is a daunting task! You’d have still needed to get a building permit, and have it signed off after construction, along with a “letter of no objection.”

When considering new locations, keep in mind that you’ll want to route them not too far from your home.

As far as adding another mat near your first one, I like the idea of them being close enough to each other that if one closes down for any reason, whether it’s a short or protracted closing, you’ll be able to point your customers to your other mat.

When a gas shut-off in the building meant one of my mats had to close for a week, I shuttled drop-off orders and employees back and forth to another mat about 15 minutes away. Most customers weren’t even aware of the change, except that it took longer to process the dropoffs. The ones that were aware something was up didn’t care. So I was able to keep my customers from trying a competitor while one of my mats was closed!

Also, for your own personal benefit, you

want a second store close enough that you won’t be spending too much time driving, which can eventually wear you down.

Here’s an option that I never had the courage to try: opening another mat of your own right across the street from your existing one.

I know of a mat owner who did this to keep out competition. It worked for a few years until the neighborhood got so hot with people coming in, the owner ended up getting a new competitor anyhow! So now there are three mats at one intersection. I don’t know how any make money.

A word of caution: If you close your mat to permanently open another one, either nearby, or in the same shopping center, don’t leave the landlord flat. Leave on good terms so you don’t trigger them to reopen your old space as a new laundromat.

And don’t leave the mat’s infrastructure in place. If you do, you’ll be giving a big discount on construction for another mat to come in. If your lease allows, spend the extra money to have all the mat’s infrastructure pulled out. Make the space into a vanilla box. This may already be required in your lease, but even if it’s not, this is a good thing to do for your former landlord and to protect yourself.

Expanding Through Pickup and Delivery — How about expanding your

(Photo: © rfphoto/Depositphotos) 24

AMERICAN COIN-OP JUNE 2022

business without expanding your space?

This is another option. If your drop-off business is great, why not share the greatness with people from a wider net? You aren’t adding more locations or a bigger store, so this doesn’t cost as much as new construction. You are adding a new cash flow. Some busy professional customers will pay more for the convenience of having someone come to their door.

You can add a lot more income, but know that this is a more labor-intensive model. Unlike pizza delivery, laundromats have to make two trips to a customer’s home. You’ll need at least one vehicle and driver, plus someone who can oversee the operation from pickup, processing and delivery.

A good laundromat delivery app can help a lot with this. Google to find one, or ask your distributor.

Be advised that if your mat is already busy, adding pickup and delivery can cause self-serve customers to get angry if your crew consistently competes for the same machines.

You can also list commercial work, such as hair stylists, restaurants, etc., in this category. There are special washers that can be programmed specifically for getting restaurant linens clean and white. You’ll need a good on-premises washer that can make pH changes, provide a “break” in the cycle, add steam, etc. One trick is to add significant starch to the tablecloths when finished. The starch will absorb many future stains instead of them soaking into the fabric. Then the washer removes the starch along with the stain.

On a final note, I recall one day as customers came in after I expanded one of my mats, an Israeli woman smiled and said, “Ahh, America! One of the few places in the world where [expansion] happens on a regular basis.”

If you’re in a position to expand your laundry operations, weigh your options and always keep your customers top of mind.

Paul Russo owned and operated multiple Laundromats in New York City for more than 40 years before retiring in 2018.

You’re welcome to direct any questions or comments for Russo to Editor Bruce Beggs at bbeggs@atmags.com. www.americancoinop.com

(continued from page 14) “A laundry machine is an investment that you have committed to, for you to see a return on your investment, you need to keep it maintained,” Cruz says. “By tracking the maintenance on your machines, you are.”

“If you ever want to sell that store, just like an automobile that has a maintenance record, you’re going to be able to command a higher resale price,” adds Hoffman.

There are equipment systems and management software available that allow operators to set maintenance reminders and to track completed work. In some cases, software can be configured to send reports to a distributor for analysis. Apart from laundryspecific systems, there are many online spreadsheets and calendars available to schedule and document PM efforts.

“Yes, there are so many programs available that are computeror app-based and can help you schedule and keep track of the maintenance completed on your machines,” Cruz says. “Just be sure to do some research on them first to see if they fit what you are trying to accomplish.”

For a more basic approach, you can keep notes using your smart phone. Or, if you’re not tech-savvy, use pen and paper to record your maintenance efforts in a notebook. Whatever tool you use, just be sure to keep your records organized by date and accessible.

PARTING PM THOUGHTS However you choose to go about it, performing PM will benefit

your business in a variety of ways. Scheduling and tracking your efforts will embolden you and your staff to stay the course.

“Patience is the main key that I tell owners,” says Cruz. “If you try to do too much at one time, then you will be less enthusiastic about doing it again the next week, month, or year. If you need help, please reach out to your local distributor; we are always more than happy to help you with scheduling, suggestions, and training for you and your staff.”

“Stress to (your) staff how important these tasks are to operate a safe and productive business,” Kelly says. “Be diligent in following through with your maintenance plan. Understand that when things are not maintained properly, customers notice and will go elsewhere.”

“A good preventative maintenance program is a sign that the owner takes a lot of pride in their facility,” says Szczotka. “Instead of letting soap boxes build up with dried chemicals, it gets cleaned.

Little things like this are noticed by customers. A good program will help you budget for the future high-dollar maintenance costs.”

“Pay attention to your equipment,” advises Hoffman. “It’s like anything else in life. The more you put into it, the more you’ll get out of it. If you take the time to keep your stuff good, then it will treat you better. You’ll have a better product if you want to sell the store. And you’ll have a more profitable laundry if you just get ahead of problems before a small one becomes a large one.”

“Eighty percent of the operators out there do the bare minimum,” Wray offers, “so anything you can do to get moving forward will help your store long-term.”

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AMERICAN COIN-OP 25

«

PRODUCT NEWS R&B WIRE INTRODUCES LAUNDRY CART TRACKING SOLUTION

R&B Wire Products has introduced CartCop™, an anti-tamper device that allows laundromat owners to secure an Apple AirTag™ to their R&B Wire laundry carts for theft deterrence and loss prevention.

For years, customers have asked the company to design a GPS solu-

tion to help them keep track of R&B Wire laundry carts, says Rick Rawlins, CEO of R&B Wire Products.

“Before AirTag, the cost of a GPS device, plus a monthly GPS subscription, never made financial sense when compared to the cost of a cart,” he says. “AirTag essentially piggybacks the GPS coordinates from all nearby Apple devices to provide its current location via Apple’s Find My app, with a replaceable battery and no subscription fees.”

CartCop is made from highdensity thermoplastic, with a tamperresistant design to keep the AirTag

secured to the cart. It’s compatible with all new and existing R&B Wire 100, 200 and 201 series carts.

It’s sold as a four-pack, with all mounting hardware and a special anti-tamper wrench; AirTags are not included but can be purchased from Apple or an authorized Apple reseller.

CartCop is available for purchase from authorized R&B Wire distributors or through the manufacturer’s website.

www.rbwire.com/cartcop

HOT-TOPIC TRIO: Exhibition Excitement; Events of Opportunity; and Stats for Success Making the Most of Attending a Trade Show Greg Jira, show director for The Clean Show, owned by Messe Frankfurt, suggests how you can gain the greatest benefit from attending any industry trade show, and previews the next Clean coming up in Atlanta in July.

Taking Advantage of Seasonal Business Shifts Different times of year can bring new service opportunities, so long as a vended laundry is willing to change with the seasons. Multi-store owner Omer Khan explains.

Every FREE episode... offers engaging, industry-specific conversation with an expert, including business-building tips you won’t find anywhere else. And you can listen anytime, either online or download for later!

Give us a try!

Demographics & More: Making Sense of the Numbers Eric Meyers, general manager of the North America laundromat/on-premises laundry segment for Alliance Laundry Systems, defines the term and explains its importance to laundry success.

Listen in at:

americancoinop.com/podcasts 26

AMERICAN COIN-OP JUNE 2022

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«

PAYMENT OPTIONS CONTINUE TO EXPAND THROUGH PAYRANGE

Global payment network PayRange has added capabilities to accept store cards and cryptocurrencies in paying automated retail machines, including vended laundry equipment.

Additionally, it’s offering select users the ability to “Buy Now and Pay Later” (BNPL) on a date that is convenient for the user.

Hundreds of store cards are supported, the company says. To pay with cryptocurrency, users can sign into their Coinbase account with the PayRange app and fund with Bitcoin, Ethereum and more.

The new funding options complement the other methods already available in the PayRange app such as credit/debit cards, Apple Pay, Google Pay, campus cards, EBT, and sign-in to hundreds of banks. They are included automatically in the PayRange service at no additional cost to the machine owner, and no updates are required

at the machine. Operators are paid normally when the transactions occur and assume no consumer repayment risk for the BNPL feature.

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AMERICAN COIN-OP 27

NEWSMAKERS GIRBAU NORTH AMERICA GRABS THE GOLD Girbau Global Laundry Solutions, headquartered in Vic, Spain, recently presented a 2021 exceptional performance award, a gold “G,” to subsidiary Girbau North America (GNA).

Girbau President Serge Joris presented the award to GNA President Mike Floyd during GNA’s weeklong sales meeting in Oshkosh, Wisconsin.

“GNA exceeded our expectations from a sales and growth perspective during 2021,” Joris says. “The team in North America went beyond expectations in challenging circumstances due to the global supply chain and transportation obstacles, as well as the COVID pandemic.

The team in North America showed Girbau North America (GNA) received a 2021 exceptional performance award their strength by operating and collaborating as one team.

— a gold “G” — from parent com“It is the team’s performance — pany Girbau Global Laundry Solutions, exceeding sales and profit targets headquartered in Vic, Spain. Girbau President Serge Joris (right) presented — and its contribution to Girbau the award to GNA President Mike Floyd results, while facing significant during GNA’s weeklong sales meeting in headwind, that made this achievement ‘beyond expectations.’”

Oshkosh, Wisconsin. (Photo: GNA) This is only the second-ever gold “G” award that Girbau has given a subsidiary, according to Floyd.

“We are honored to be recognized for our efforts during a challenging year,” he says. “The GNA team is hard-working, inventive and loyal; we always pull together to get things done, and this year was no exception. I couldn’t be prouder of our staff.”

GNA says it boasts a comprehensive offering of vended, commercial and industrial laundry solutions.

CURBSIDE LAUNDRIES, SETOMATIC INTEGRATE SYSTEMS Wash-and-fold software developer Curbside Laundries reports that it has integrated with Setomatic Systems’ SpyderWash payment system, enabling customers using SpyderWash cards to pay for items at the Curbside Laundries POS system.

“Customers love the convenience SpyderWash offers, as customers want cashless payment options directly on the washer/dryer,” says Matthew Simmons of Curbside Laundries. “The synergy of the Curbside Laundries and SpyderWash integration streamlines operations for the store owner, and the customer experience has been greatly enhanced, too.”

“We have many mutual customers utilizing both the Curbside and SpyderWash platform, therefore this was a natural fit to help store owners and customers alike,” says Setomatic-SpyderWash Vice President Gregg Schantz.

“I am always impressed by the quantity, quality and frequency of software improvements in Curbside Laundries’ platform,” says Harry Hamilton of Lucky Oak Laundry, Atascadero, California.

“The latest is this integration with SpyderWash. Now customers can trade in their last $20 to buy a loyalty card and still buy the soap they forgot to bring! It’s just one more feature that enables the business owner to run a customer-centered store.”

28

AMERICAN COIN-OP JUNE 2022

DISTRIBUTOR EVI MOVES TO ACQUIRE CLEAN DESIGNS, LAUNDRY SOUTH In separate business deals, commercial laundry and drycleaning equipment distributor EVI Industries made moves in April to acquire Lakewood, Colorado-based Clean Designs Inc. and Clean Route LLC (collectively “Clean Designs”), and Pearl, Mississippibased Laundry South. Terms of the deals were not released by EVI. The Laundry South acquisition has been completed. The Clean Designs acquisition was awaiting closing as this issue went to press.

Laundry South is a distributor of commercial laundry products and provider of related technical installation and maintenance services.

Its addition expands EVI’s sales and service operations into the state of Mississippi and increases its presence and market share in eastern Louisiana. Laundry South will join EVI’s Southcentral Group of commercial laundry businesses and will operate under its current name, from its present location, and with all its employees.

“The addition of Laundry South is consistent with our mission to amass the brightest, most ambitious, and talented sales, service, and support professionals in the commercial laundry industry, such that we may deliver our growing customer base comprehensive commercial laundry solutions,” says Henry M. Nahmad, EVI’s chairman and CEO. “We are excited about the growth prospects for the Laundry South team, and we look forward to collaborating with them to that end.”

Clean Designs Inc. is a commercial laundry products distributor. Clean Route LLC is a provider of related technical installation and maintenance services to on-premise, vended and multifamily laundry customers.

The addition of Clean Designs will further strengthen EVI’s market share position in the U.S. West, the company says. It is adding an experienced sales team with established customer relationships and a consistent record of growth, a service team with a longstanding reputation for providing reliable services, and a management team from which EVI may further build its commercial laundry operations in and around Colorado.

Clean Designs will operate as an EVI subsidiary under its current name and from its present location, and will continue to be led by Tim Stoklosa.

“Each acquisition is integral to achieving our long-term growth and profitability goals,” says Nahmad. “Our company is especially excited about the benefits we will derive from the addition of Tim Stoklosa and the Clean Designs team.”

With these additions, EVI has acquired 19 commercial laundry distributors since fall 2016.

SCHWARZMANN EARNS TCATA’S HIGHEST HONOR The Textile Care Allied Trades Association (TCATA) honored Fred Schwarzmann Jr. of A. L. Wilson Chemical Co. with its prestigious J. Morry Friedlander Award—considered TCATA’s highest honor—in April during its 2022 Annual Educational & Management Conference in Isle of Palms, South Carolina.

In presenting the award, TCATA CEO Leslie Schaeffer said Schwarzmann “has made enormous contributions” to the association and “has been a leader both within TCATA and in the industry for many years.”

Schwarzmann served on the TCATA Board of Directors in variwww.americancoinop.com

more than 40 years of service. Only six people have received the honor since it was introduced in 1994.

In other TCATA news, John Silverman, president of Tschopp Supply Co. of Buffalo, New York, was installed as the association’s incoming president. He’ll serve a two-year term. Silverman previously served on the Board of Directors representing distributors, and in the role of treasurer.

Fred Schwarzmann Jr. (far right), of A. L. Wilson Chemical Co., receives the prestigious J. Morry Friedlander Award from Leslie Schaeffer (second from right), CEO of the Textile Care Allied Trades Association (TCATA). Also pictured are (from left) Bill Odorizzi of Sankosha USA and TCATA staffer Luci Ward. (Photo: TCATA) ous positions from 2005 to 2011, and most recently as its president beginning in January 2020.

“I was certainly touched by the recognition I received, but I know that my contribution would not have been nearly enough in a vacuum,” Schwarzmann says. “Only by pulling together were we able to protect TCATA through the dark days and relaunch it into a bright future.”

The J. Morry Friedlander Award honors outstanding dedication and service to TCATA, naming it to acknowledge the unrivaled enthusiasm, dedication and goodwill Friedlander generated in his

CLARK RETIRES AFTER 27 YEARS WITH GIRBAU NA Gary Clark, technical service manager for Girbau North America, recently retired after 27 years of service to the company. He began working for GNA at its formation in 1995 and was among its first employees hired.

GNA President Mike Floyd says Clark will be missed for his friendship and many contributions: “We’ve all been fortunate to work alongside Gary, to get to know him and his family on a personal level, and to call him a friend.”

Throughout his long career, Clark designed and led countless service training workshops for distributors and end users, fielded a huge number of service phone calls, provided on-site technical expertise, and was the go-to person for “anything product related.”

He worked closely with the sales team and Girbau Global Laundry Solutions on product development and continuing (continued on page 32)

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NEWSMAKERS (continued from page 29) improvement, and interfaced daily with GNA’s professional distributor network.

“He leaves big shoes to fill,” says Floyd.

Director of Services and Product Management Dave McAllister agrees: “For over 27 years, the chair of technical knowledge at Girbau North America has been anchored by Gary Clark. Many a service technician has depended on Gary’s wealth of knowledge, experience and direction to diagnose and repair GNA laundry equipment.

“Gary held a high standard for anyone Clark who called himself a technician, and rightly so, as he himself was exceedingly talented in both mechanical and electrical repairs.”

Clark thanked current and past GNA staff for the support they provided throughout his career. “I especially want to thank Mike Floyd for the confidence he had in me when he hired me,” he adds.

LAUNDROWORKS AND WASH-DRY-FOLD POS TEAM UP Laundroworks, a manufacturer of card-based payment systems for laundry machines, has teamed with laundromat point-of-sale provider Wash-Dry-Fold POS to bridge the gap between self-serve and wash-dry-fold, the businesses report.

Utilizing a new integration between the two providers, customers who load a self-serve balance on the Laundroworks card system are also able to pay for soaps and other services at that store’s Wash-Dry-Fold POS system.

“Customers often want to use their laundry card balance on the POS machine as well,” says Oleg Stepanov of Laundroworks.

“This integration provides this functionality.”

Using the two companies’ systems in combination can also help reduce employee theft and increase efficiency.

“Anytime I’ve heard of employee theft over $5,000 in a laundromat, it has to do with employees using their card systems to start machines for self-serve customers,” says Ian Gollahon of Wash-Dry-Fold POS. “The best method to prevent this is to tie each individual machine start to an order and then run a monthly report to ensure extra machines aren’t started.”

The system documents poundage vs. comforters vs. retail items, and the reports show sales-to-start ratios that will “flag any funny business,” he adds.

LAUNDROMAT MURAL MEMORIALIZES TWIN PARKS FIRE VICTIMS Laundry Capital Co. LLC hosted an April 16 memorial event at its Clean Rite Center on Southern Boulevard in Bronx, New York, to remember the victims of January’s Twin Parks apartment fire. A memorial mural, commissioned by Laundry Capital and created by Bronx-based artist group Tats Cru, was unveiled.

Free food, donated by The Hip Hop Food Truck and Laundry Capital, as well as $20 laundry cards, good for free loads of laundry, were provided to Twin Parks residents displaced by the fire.

On Jan. 9 at Site 4 of Twin Parks North West, a 19-story public housing building, a blaze killed 17 residents and displaced hun32

AMERICAN COIN-OP JUNE 2022

Bronx, New York, residents and Bronx Borough President Vanessa Gibson gather at Clean Rite Center on Southern Boulevard to witness the unveiling of a mural memorializing the victims of the Twin Parks apartment fire. (Photo: Laundry Capital) dreds more in the city’s worst fire disaster in 30 years.

“This mural will create awareness for the victims of the fire and add color to the neighborhood,” says Tats Cru artist Hector “Nicer” Nazario. Tats Cru — comprising a group of artists including Nazario, Wilfredo “Bio” Feliciano and Sotero “BG183” Ortiz — have painted murals in New York City since the 1980s. “But it’s not very often that we do murals like this on laundromats,” Nazario says.

“We wanted to honor the lives that were lost in that terrible tragedy by ensuring their memory would live on forever as a permanent staple of the Bronx community,” says Laundry Capital owner Alex Weiss.

CCI, CURBSIDE INTEGRATE SYSTEMS FOR LAUNDRY MANAGEMENT Curbside Laundries has integrated its wash and fold point of sale with Card Concepts Inc.’s (CCI) LaundryCard and FasCard payment solutions, the companies report, enabling laundromats to centralize purchases, account balances, refunds, reporting and more.

CCI says it has always focused on laundry owner success and been dedicated to helping grow and improve laundromats through innovation and integration.

“We know that the Curbside team is as passionate as CCI about facilitating laundry owners’ success, and their commitment to this integration is one more example,” says Steve Marcionetti, president of CCI. The integration means that laundromat customers who visit the counter to purchase items can use their LaundryCard or FasCard to pay.

“The integration between our point of sale and CCI’s payment solutions optimizes the customer experience,” says Matthew Simmons, founder of Curbside Laundries. “We know customers have balances on their laundry cards and they want to be able to spend it without digging back into their wallet.”

“I am super excited about the integration of CCI’s FasCard with Curbside Laundries’ POS software,” says Dan Melendy of SpinZone Laundry. “We use FasCard at all four of our locations in Austin, Texas, because we like offering customers the choice between card, coin, or a hybrid of both. Now, customers will have the ability to pay at the counter with their loyalty rewards cards, too.” www.americancoinop.com

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