Aliquippa welcomes first downtown laundromat in decades
ALIQUIPPA – A pair of Beaver County entrepreneurs with a devotion to Aliquippa have opened the city’s first downtown laundromat in decades.
Aliquippa Wash n' Fold is the town’s first such business in at least 30 years, said founders Brian Cox and Zabriawn Smith. Both men were children the last time Aliquippa had a laundry facility for public use.
The 11-washer, 12-dryer facility at 447 Franklin Ave. in the heart of Aliquippa is about more than just clean clothes and fresh linens.
It’s about dignity and access — many city residents lack private laundry facilities, traveling miles to Hopewell Township, Ambridge and beyond for those services.
“When you talk about development of a community, it has to start with the common sense things,” said 30-year-old Smith. “So, we just looked around and tried to pay attention to what should be here that isn’t. And a laundromat was the first thing that came up. It made perfect sense, because whenever you talk about laundromats, you talk about those from a certain income bracket and those who are not always homeowners themselves.”
In a place long-brutalized by economic depression and population loss, Aliquippa residents have for years gone without amenities that many take for granted, Cox, 42, and Smith said ― and efforts to revitalize Aliquippa must start with the basics.
“Our main focus is building the downtown back up for the kids and adults to have things to do,” Smith said.
Raised in Aliquippa’s Plan 11 Extension neighborhood, Cox and Smith said the laundromat is equipped with brand new market-rate washers and dryers. The two purchased the vacant, blighted commercial property built in 1915 about two years ago, but lender-related setbacks and supply chain holdups led to months of delays.
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Prior to buying the building, it appeared to be a decaying “storage warehouse,” Cox said. Now, it’s well-lit, clean and bustling with activity.
“It was blighted for some time,” he said. “There’s a lot of people in the area without washer and dryer equipment in their homes, and we figured if we can get something in this area where people are within walking distance or can get on the bus line … we thought it would work great for the community.”
Aliquippa Wash n' Fold owners held a grand opening ceremony in late June with remarks from Aliquippa Mayor Dwan Walker and other city leaders. Hours of operation are 7 a.m. to 10 p.m. Monday through Thursday and 7 a.m. to 11 p.m. Friday through Sunday.
Cox, who also owns Legends Barber Shop two doors down, said he and Smith plan to split shifts to open and close the laundromat for the time being.
“We’re always in the area, so if anyone needed anything or the machine wasn’t taking coins or something, we can come and fix that problem and make sure everyone is well taken care of,” he said.
This article originally appeared on Beaver County Times: Aliquippa welcomes first downtown laundromat in decades
