7 hours ago
Dirty Clothes, Clean Fun: These Laundromats Aren't Just for Laundry
Washing machines hum in the background as customers at Pearl Lee's Washtub in Crown Heights sip beer, work on laptops and eat on the patio, waiting for spin cycles to finish. It's a Tuesday afternoon, and what started as a laundry run has turned into an impromptu neighborhood gathering — exactly what the owner Theo DuPree envisioned when he opened his 'laundrobar.'
Brooklyn's laundromats have long served as informal neighborhood gathering spots, particularly in areas where in-unit washers and dryers are rare. Now, a new generation of entrepreneurs is reimagining the utilitarian businesses as hybrid community hubs. Laundromat owners are transforming the traditional self-service and wash-and-fold models by adding bars, coffee counters and snacks, maximizing revenue from limited square footage and turning the chore into a social experience.
Mr. DuPree worked as a nurse for 30 years while running barbecue pop-ups at Brooklyn bars on the weekends. After retiring, he traveled to Europe and saw laundromats next to wine bars, an observation that redirected his trajectory.
The laundromat, which opened in April 2023, was named after Mr. DuPree's Aunt Pearl, who 'prepared our meals and laundered our clothes.' Inside Pearl Lee's, patrons can do their laundry in the front area and then mingle at the bar in the back while they wait for their wash and dry cycles to finish. Pearl Lee's also hosts live jazz, comedy shows, watch parties and barbecue pop-ups.
As a Black business owner, Mr. DuPree wants to inspire other people of color to open businesses. 'Maintaining a Black-owned business in Crown Heights helps maintain the culture of the community,' he said.
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