Detroit laundromat celebrates grand opening with a mission to improve lives, especially for children and seniors
When the Bethune neighborhood of Detroit lost its only laundromat, the community lost a vital service. But that’s been changed with the opening of Our Community Laundromat, a laundromat with a purpose.
The original building, which closed after 25 years during the pandemic, now glistens with more than 40 new machines, comfortable, well-lit places to sit and supplies for sale. The owner and visionary behind the project, Dr. LaCesha Brintley, celebrated the grand opening March 14 with dignitaries including Detroit Mayor Mike Duggan in attendance. The laundromat was the winner of $75,000 from Motor City Match, the city’s program to help small businesses go from idea to opening with grants and other funding.
With just days to go before the deadline, Dr. Brintley came to QT Business Solutions for help getting her dream entered into the competition. QT was able to craft a full business plan with financial projections and help Dr. Brintley complete the application process.
“This is what QT is all about,” said QT’s Founder and COO, Tina Williams. “We are here to help our clients cross the finish line, and we are especially blessed to be helping the people of Detroit.”
The funding from the city helped Dr. Brintley get the final renovations complete.
The business is more than just about clean clothes, however. Dr. Brintley wanted the place to serve as a beacon in the community. Dr. Brintley was looking for a way to give back to the city and after a previous facility fell through, she found the building at 15429 Schaefer. She was set on opening a laundromat that would be clean and safe, because she remembered going with her mother to do laundry in places that were less than pleasant.
So children are able to participate in the “Wash and Read” program, which rewards the children with coins for every book they read, to help their families defray the cost of doing laundry. Seniors also get priority service every Tuesday morning from 7 a.m. to noon. There are social activities, food and entertainment.
There’s even a space for other small businesses in the community to showcase their offerings, including holding pop-up shops free of charge.
Since its inception and through 21 rounds of competition, Motor City Match has awarded $11.4M in cash grants, with 145 brick and mortar locations being opened or renovated. Of the winners, 84% are minority-owned businesses and 74% are women-owned.
The program has multiple levels of services available and is open to Detroit residents, or those with a brick and mortar location in Detroit. Some services require the business to be operational for at least six months and others, like Our Community Laundromat, can compete for cash to start a new venture in an already purchased or leased building.
For questions about the program, visit https://qtbizsolutions.com or call 248-416-1755.
