Carol Beal and Hanna Christian
Beal’s Bubbles
West Columbia and Sweeny, Texas
Before Getting into the Laundry Business…
Carol was a sales representative for Hanes Hosiery in Houston area.
Store Openings
The West Columbia store opened in January 2004, and the Sweeny location opened in April 2006.
Business Hours
West Columbia: 7:30 a.m. to 9:30 p.m.
Sweeny: 24 hours
Staff
West Columbia: three full-time employees
Sweeny: two part-time attendants
Total Square Footage
West Columbia: 2,000 square feet
Sweeny: 1,400 square feet
Parking Availability
West Columbia: 12 to 20 vehicles
Sweeny: 1012 vehicles
Lease or Own?
The West Columbia laundry is on a 15-year lease, while the mother-and-daughter team owns the Sweeny location.
The Buildings
The West Columbia facility was originally a 7Eleven convenience store that was converted into a self-service laundry. By contrast, the Sweeny store was an existing laundry that they purchased and remodeled.
The Renovation Process
The West Columbia project took approximately four months to convert and install the equipment. The Sweeny laundry required about three months to remove the existing interior and equipment, remodel and then install the new machines.
The Cost
Initially, it cost approximately $195,000 for West Columbia store and about $100,000 for the Sweeny laundry. However, the owners recently purchased $180,000 in new equipment for both stores.
Turns per Day
Three
Utility Costs
Approximately 13 percent of the stores’ gross revenue
Marketplace Demographics
Both stores are located near apartments, single-family dwellings and temporary housing for contractors who work in the nearby petroleum plants.
Competition
The West Columbia and Sweeny laundries are about eight miles apart from each other, and there are no other laundromats in those towns. The closest competing store is in a town eight miles away.
Payment Options
Coins only
Washers and Dryers
West Columbia:
8 Maytag toploaders, $1.50
8 Maytag 20-pound frontloaders, $3.25
8 Maytag 30-pound frontloaders, $4.25
6 Maytag 40-pound frontloaders, $5.75
16 Maytag 30-pound stack dryers, $1.25 for 30 minutes
Sweeny:
15 Maytag toploaders, $1.50
3 Maytag 30-pound frontloaders, $4.25
4 Maytag 40-pound frontloaders, $5.75
14 Maytag 30-pound stack dryers, $1.25 for 30 minutes
Bill Changers
2 Rowe Bill Changers rear-load changers; 1 in each store
Laundry Carts
14 R&B Wire Products laundry carts
Folding Tables
Formica-topped, framed, customized tables
Flooring
West Columbia: commercial tile
Sweeny: stained cement
Lighting
Fluorescent lighting
Beverage Vending
West Columbia: 1 soda vending machine, $1.50 for bottles
Sweeny: 1 soda vending machine, $1.00 for cans
Snacks/Candy
Sold over the counter
Detergent/Laundry Supplies
Sold over the counter
Wash-Dry-Fold Service
$1.15 per pound; 10-pound minimum
Commercial Accounts
Local churches, the police department and city hall
Additional Amenities
• Pickup and delivery service at the local RV parks for contractors and construction workers at the surrounding refineries.
• Drop-off drycleaning service
Distributor
Best Wash Inc., Humble, Texas, (281) 441-2465
