Business Bio: Happy Life Laundromat

Matt Clark and Brian Harrington
Happy Life Laundromat
Cherry Valley, Ill.Before Getting Into the Laundry Business…Matt and Brian were involved in self-storage management and construction.Store OpeningJanuary 14, 2018Business Hours8:00 a.m. to 10 p.m. daily (card-holding members can gain access at 5:00 a.m.)StaffFour part-time attendantsTotal Square Footage5,500 square feetParking Spaces35Lease or Own?They own the property.The BuildingThe laundry was built from the ground up.Construction ProcessSix monthsCosts, Including Equipment$1.4 millionTurns Per DayFour to fiveUtility CostsThe cost of the store’s utilities represents 15 percent of the business’ gross revenue, according to the owners.Marketplace DemographicsThe area has a population of approximately 50,000, with 20 percent to 40 percent of those being renters. According to Matt, the median household income is $89,000, and the market is mainly white and African-American.CompetitionThere are five other laundromats within the area.Payment OptionsLoyalty cards and credit/debit cardsWashers and Dryers17 Huebsch 20-pound frontloaders, $2.89
10 Huebsch 30-pound frontloaders, $4.69
7 Huebsch 40-pound frontloaders, $5.69
6 Huebsch 60-pound frontloaders, $6.69
6 Huebsch 80-pound frontloaders, $8.69
40 Huebsch 45-pound stack dryers, 42 cents for 10 minutesWater Heating SystemHTP Phoenix water heating systemCard SystemCCI card systemBill Changers1 Standard Change-Makers bill changerLaundry Carts10 R&B Wire Products laundry cartsFolding Tables15 custom-built folding tablesFlooringMetallic epoxy concrete flooringLightingLED bulbsLaundry VendingOne Vend-Rite Manufacturing soap vending machine, $1.00Beverage Vending1 AMS beverage vending machine
1 AMS K-Cup tabletop coffee vendorSnack Vending1 AMS snack vending machineTelevisionsSix 55-inch flat-screen televisionsWash-Dry-Fold Service$15 minimumAdditional Amenities• Wi-Fi Café
• Children’s Play Area
• Pickup and Delivery Service
• Commercial Accounts Business
• Drop-Off Drycleaning ServiceFinance CompanyAlliance Laundry SystemsDistributorLaundry Concepts, Addison, Ill., (800) 845-3903