Chicago Owner Points to a Number of Reasons Why Childhood Literacy in Laundromats Makes Good Sense
Paul Hansen’s business plan has always included making his laundromats an integral part of the neighborhoods he serves.
From regularly hosting free laundry days at his stores to working closely with the local library system on book giveaways and other educational programs, the Chicago-based multi-store owner has always seen his laundromats as places where the community gathers.
Therefore, when the LaundryCares Foundation developed its Family Read, Play and Learn spaces to help initiate early childhood education and literacy in laundromats across the country, Hansen didn’t need to think twice.
“The RPL centers obviously have added something special to my business,” explained Hansen, who has the literacy-rich spaces in two of his stores. “We’re pretty customer-oriented as it is, and these designated spaces truly can turn a laundry into more of a community center. That jus fits perfectly into what we do.”
Due to COVID-19, Hansen had to take down his reading and learning centers for nearly seven months. However, they’re back up and his customers are definitely enjoying them.
“The centers make my laundries places you can feel comfortable in,” he explained. “Above all, it gives the kids something educational to do. Also, I think it helps our attendants and our customers who don’t have children, because we don’t have kids running around the store, playing hide and seek between the machines. The kids are engaged in reading and learning. In general, there’s not a lot for a kid to do in a laundromat – so this program directly helps in that area. And the RPL centers also help my business indirectly by creating a warm, fuzzy feeling that we’re part of the community and that we care.”
Hansen noted that he’s seen an uptick in positive Google reviews of his business, which he at least partially attributes to the installation of the LaundryCares literacy spaces.
“I think it gives my customers a feeling that my business is a safe place for their families,” he added. “Too many people still consider laundromats to be these dark, dirty and sometimes unsafe places. When customers see a clean environment with a special area just for their kids with books and other learning materials, it helps them relax and feel safer.”
Hansen has one question for store owners who have yet to consider adding Family Read, Play and Learn centers in their facilities.
“What have you got to lose?” he asked. “It’s good for the children. It’s good marketing for your business. As a side benefit, the kids won’t be bothering your other customers, and your attendants won’t have to worry as much about accidents. So, if you’ve got the space for a literacy center, what have you got to lose?”
Hansen pointed out that the RPL spaces come in a variety of sizes to fit most laundromat configurations.
“Even in smaller stores, I think there is, at the very least, room for a bookshelf and some seating,” he said. “Maybe you can’t install the largest RPL package with a kids’ couch and all the extras, but most laundromats can find room for some type of RPL kit.”
And these spaces not only positively impact children and your particular business, Hansen said. They’re also a benefit to the industry as a whole.
“Local lawmakers don’t really think about laundromats or know much about this industry,” he explained. “Most of the local politicians I’ve spoken with had no idea what a modern vended laundry looks like. They were thinking of laundromats from back in the 1960s.
“With issues like tax proposals on local agendas more and more these days, RPL centers give store owners something positive to point to. When you bring a politician into your laundromat, you can share the fact that you offer family-friendly programs, such as early childhood learning and literacy activities within your business.
“It gives everyone a better feeling about our industry – and that is good for all of us. It makes us look more modern and like more than just a place to wash your clothes.”
[For more information about the LaundryCares Foundation, its programs for store owners and how to get involved, contact Dan Naumann at: [email protected]; or visit the organization’s website at: www.laundrycares.org.]
