Published: August 20, 2008 12:56 am      

BUSINESS: Lockport gets a Wash & Fold

There’s a place on Locust Street that wants to take care of Lockport’s dirty laundry.

Dan Turk, owner of the Lockport Laundry Center, opened a Wash & Fold facility Monday right next door to the laundry center. People can drop off their laundry at the facility and pick it up at the end of the day. Turk also offers a dry cleaning service, which is done off site.

The Wash & Fold, itself, does exactly what its name implies: It washes, dries and folds customers’ laundry. The difference between the Laundry Center and the Wash & Fold is who’s doing the work of getting the laundry finished.

“It’s more of a do-it-yourself,” Turk said of the Laundry Center. “It’s geared toward those who want to get in and get out in under an hour. Here, we do the laundry for you.”

Turk said it takes an average time of about 22 minutes for a load of laundry to make it through the washing machine and about 27 minutes to get the load dry. Mike Griffith has worked for Turk for about seven years and oversees the washing machines and dryers for the Laundry Center. Although it gets busy during the evening or on the weekend, the center can accommodate a lot of people, thanks to a large number of machines.

“We’ve got about 40 machines,” Griffith said.

However, if a person is too busy or can’t do their own laundry, then the Wash & Fold offers convenience by having it done by the end of the day, Turk said.

Both the laundry center and the Wash & Fold have a clean, brand-new look. In the laundry center, Turk has a seating area with flat-screen TV and snack and soap machines for customers. There is also an off-site security firm monitoring the area with around-the-clock security cameras, as well as a warning sign that promises anyone up to no good will have a date with the Lockport Police Department. Turk said there hasn’t been one act of vandalism.

“The kids have behaved; we haven’t even had one crayon on the wall,” he said.

So customers can feel safe when they walk in to the Wash & Fold and put their load of laundry on a scale. Turk charges 65 cents a pound, unless it’s a large item such as a rug. Those larger items have a set price.

Turk said since the Laundry Center opened, he has had nothing but a good response and cooperation from people in the neighborhood. Even though he did have a fight with the city about the Laundry Center’s blue and white signs, it doesn’t discourage him from doing business in Lockport. It’s good for him, but there is an advantage for people who choose to do their laundry at the Wash & Fold, Turk said.

“I’ve invested a lot in this,” Turk said. “People can save a lot of money, plus I can add a few jobs.”

He said he is filling positions right now, but eventually would like to bring another full-timer on. Turk added there is also a commercial service available, and he would like to market to organizations such as assisted living programs.

The Wash & Fold is open from 7 a.m. until 6 p.m. Monday through Saturday.

Contact reporter Joe Olenick at 439-9222, ext. 6241.