Coin-Op Laundromat History The public laundry concept originated approximately 20 years after the advent of the first wringer washer in 1907. In those days, “take-in” laundry was done by an attendant and returned to the customer. Later, washering machines were made available on a per-hour or per-day basis. Self-service coin laundries as we know them did not arrive on the scene until the 50’s when coin meters were added to washing machines. The very first coin laundries were small, narrow stores with washers on one wall and dryers on the other. Many store owners simply left the doors unlocked, thereby offering patrons 24-hour-a-day use. In the 60’s a “new breed” of business people jumped into the business, starting laundromats with a professional “hands-on” approach and the industry enjoyed a high-growth period. New owners spent time in their stores, kept them clean and maintained their machines in top condition. The early 80’s brought even bigger and better laundromats. New investors were savvy and were opening laundromats for customer comfort with plentiful options for entertainment while client did the wash. Laundromat equipment had also come a long way, as coin-op and self-serve laundry machines were engineered to be more energy efficient and reliable. Today, there are between 30,000 and 35,000 coin laundries in the U.S. that provide more than 7 million American households with the necessary equipment to clean their clothes on a weekly basis. This $5 billion a year industry is in the midst of a boom. Businesses are building mega-stores with anywhere from 5,000 to 9,000 square feet that provide a variety of ancillary services – such as wash-dry-fold, drycleaning, tailoring, shoe repair, etc. – to cater to a busy American lifestyle that dictates a need for these essential time-saving services. In addition, new laundries have expanded with extras including: card technology, tanning beds, mailbox rental, shipping services, Internet access and many more conveniences.