Running the day-to-day operation of a self-serve laundry and car wash might seem daunting for most people, but most people aren’t also professional plumbers.
Local couple Tony and Ashley Anderson purchased the Washington Avenue Laundry and Car Wash in Cloquet Aug. 31 from Paul and Jan Myers. However, Tony — a plumber with AM Mechanical Plumbing and Heating in Duluth — already had some experience with the business.
“It originally started because my dad and I are self-employed plumbers, and we did some work for Paul a few years ago,” Tony said. “He said they were a couple years from retiring and selling the business.”
Ashley works for Essentia Health in Duluth, but said they were also looking for a business opportunity in Carlton County.
“We just love this community, and we wanted to be involved in something close to home,” Ashley said.
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What’s more, Tony’s family has a history of owning laundry and dry cleaning businesses. His grandparents, Charles and Donna Anderson, owned a pair of dry cleaning stores in Duluth in the 1950s.
Even when adding in the attached self-serve car wash, Tony has the experience to maintain the business better than most people.
“In the line of work that I do, I’ll be capable of doing all the repairs, plumbing-wise,” he said.
The washing machines and car wash are in good condition, but the couple does plan on updating the interior of the business.
“We can’t do everything at once,” Ashley said. “But we plan to update everything we can. The machines are working perfectly, so we wouldn’t have to replace anything equipment-wise, but we’d like to get new floors, paint, a little remodeling.”
They don’t plan to make any major changes to the hours or staff. The laundromat is open from 7 a.m. to 9 p.m. seven days a week, and there is always at least one staff member on site.
The staff is extremely important since both Tony and Ashley still have full-time jobs to contend with in Duluth.
The couple are excited about the new opportunity in Cloquet and are excited to continue a business that has been in the community for more than 30 years.
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“We really hope we can live up to Paul and Jan’s reputation,” Ashley said. “They have a very good reputation around here.”
