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Permalink Reply by John P on September 9, 2013 at 4:48pm

Why did the previous owners fail (sell)? I don't think the two businesses have anything in common. I would recommend expanding the whole space to be laundry. I don't think a proven coffee business person would consider that setup.

If you somehow get the wild notion that this is a good idea, then a few things to ponder...

Is the access for the laundry separate or through the coffee shop?

Not a good thing if it's a single entrance.

Also, does any noise, odor, etc. from the laundry side seep into the coffee shop half?

If so, that could be bothersome.

Based on where your expertise lies, I'd go full laundry, or not purchase the space.

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Permalink Reply by Danny Heiss on September 9, 2013 at 5:49pm

The group of people who do coin laundry may not be the group of people that will spend 5 bucks on a 6 oz cappuccino.

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Permalink Reply by Danny Heiss on September 9, 2013 at 5:55pm

However, if there was a way to separate the two spaces if you re-model, it might be able to work. Completely enclose the laundromat. Maybe give it a back entrance if that's possible. Take the front section and make it a snazzy looking coffee shop. Don't advertise them together. That way, you won't put to much pressure on your clients to need to do laundry at your establishment. Do not connect the entrances to your coffee shop and your laundromat. 

Then your college kids doing laundry (assuming there are any) will come over and grab a 5 dollar cappu while they do a load of laundry.

Also, if you have internet for your cafe, don't do internet for your laundromat. Put a password on your cafe, and require a purchase to use it. Then put a 45 minute to an hour time limit on the use per day. 

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