The Launderie Room, a small, high-speed vended laundry on the main drag of downtown Erie, Penn., is located in the City’s designated redevelopment zone. Opened in 2020, it offers a coffee shop feel, vinyl wood floors, bright colors, free WIFI, charging stations, Continental Girbau high-speed ExpressWash® and ExpressDry® laundry equipment, and walls adorning local art.
Co-owners Angela Magee and Melissa Pagliari hoped that by opening the laundry, they might benefit the community while also supporting their families.
Laundry Development ![](data:image/svg+xml,%3Csvg%20xmlns='http://www.w3.org/2000/svg'%20viewBox='0%200%20436%20290'%3E%3C/svg%3E)
“The City of Erie is doing a great job revitalizing the city by supporting new businesses,” said Magee. As such, the City provided redevelopment funds and low-interest financing to Magee and Pagliari to help with the massive renovation of a 1950s, Mid-Century Modern building. Additionally, Eric Vlahos of Advantage Equipment (Advantage), a laundry solution provider in Akron, Ohio., offered expert guidance, laundry designs, equipment and start-up support.
“Eric provided a timely quote, coached us on equipment, pulled demographics, mapped out a floor plan and provided machine specifications,” said Magee. “He was a resource for every question and helped with stuff we couldn’t have done on our own. We are forever grateful.”
Investing in Technology ![](data:image/svg+xml,%3Csvg%20xmlns='http://www.w3.org/2000/svg'%20viewBox='0%200%20400%20300'%3E%3C/svg%3E)
Despite the laundry’s small footprint, it’s big on technology — enhancing the customer experience and simplifying store management and efficiency. It harnesses security technology to manage locks, lights, entry keypads and cameras; a Card Concepts FasCard payment system allowing customers to load value onto loyalty cards using cash, credit/debit and payment apps; and Curbside, a point-of-sale system for full-service wash/dry/fold and pickup and delivery.
“These have made our lives so much easier,” said Magee. “We can be anywhere and take care of problems remotely using a desktop or phone.” The technologies automatically lock and unlock store doors at specific times; track full-service orders, process payments and send updates and reminders to customers; and allow Magee and Pagliari to drill down on machine operation, programs, revenue and more.