The Launderie Room, a small, high-speed vended laundry on the main drag of downtown Erie, Penn., is located in the City’s designated redevelopment zone. Opened in 2020, it offers a coffee shop feel, vinyl wood floors, bright colors, free WIFI, charging stations, Continental Girbau high-speed ExpressWash® and ExpressDry® laundry equipment, and walls adorning local art.
Co-owners Angela Magee and Melissa Pagliari hoped that by opening the laundry, they might benefit the community while also supporting their families.
Laundry Development 
“The City of Erie is doing a great job revitalizing the city by supporting new businesses,” said Magee. As such, the City provided redevelopment funds and low-interest financing to Magee and Pagliari to help with the massive renovation of a 1950s, Mid-Century Modern building. Additionally, Eric Vlahos of Advantage Equipment (Advantage), a laundry solution provider in Akron, Ohio., offered expert guidance, laundry designs, equipment and start-up support.
“Eric provided a timely quote, coached us on equipment, pulled demographics, mapped out a floor plan and provided machine specifications,” said Magee. “He was a resource for every question and helped with stuff we couldn’t have done on our own. We are forever grateful.”
Investing in Technology 
Despite the laundry’s small footprint, it’s big on technology — enhancing the customer experience and simplifying store management and efficiency. It harnesses security technology to manage locks, lights, entry keypads and cameras; a Card Concepts FasCard payment system allowing customers to load value onto loyalty cards using cash, credit/debit and payment apps; and Curbside, a point-of-sale system for full-service wash/dry/fold and pickup and delivery.
“These have made our lives so much easier,” said Magee. “We can be anywhere and take care of problems remotely using a desktop or phone.” The technologies automatically lock and unlock store doors at specific times; track full-service orders, process payments and send updates and reminders to customers; and allow Magee and Pagliari to drill down on machine operation, programs, revenue and more.