I want to own a laundromat one day
For some reason, the idea of owning a laundromat really appeals to me. I like the simplicity. The opportunity to get to do machine repair and maintenance (but not have to learn engineering). I like how laundromats serve as a gathering place and a family space for many. I like the idea of opening the machines to collect the coins and physically counting the profit. I’ve read it generates stable income which would be particularly helpful to me as a intermittently disabled person (ASD, chronic pain)
And, I could watch a machine conduct a whole wash cycle and never feel bored.
The other side of it: I don’t think it’s a super ethical thing to charge people to wash their clothes. In my opinion, everyone should have access to somewhere clean and resourced where they can wash their clothing and linens, and it doesn’t feel right to charge money for it.
I recognize there is really no way to have my cake and eat it, too.
What are some real practices and policies I could implement at my future laundromat to make it accessible and equitable for everyone, even though a laundromat would have to be run for-profit?