Uptown laundromat a new staple

When Jackie Saylor opened Maple Street Laundry Feb. 1, she didn’t think the business would increase like it has in a matter of weeks.

Saylor, a 14-year resident of Creston, was looking into purchasing a property in town when she came upon the laundromat.

“I got talking to Dino (Groumoutis), who said, ‘Well, there’s this laundromat,’” Saylor said.

Saylor purchased the property about one year ago.

“I had no idea what I was getting into. I knew nothing,” Saylor said.

Despite her reserve, Saylor knew there was a need in the community. Express Laundromat is the only other laundry self-service in Creston, located near The Windrow on Highway 34. And, since the former laundromat closed about three years ago, and there are plenty of apartments and other rentals in the uptown area, Saylor thought she could get the business up and running.

“It seemed that it had possibility,” Saylor said. “I knew people downtown missed it and needed it.”

While Saylor worked on the property, she had an income through apartments located above the laundromat, which helped her as the business began taking shape.

The property still had the gas and water lines hooked up, so Saylor contracted local help in the form of True Value, Akin, Cody Hagle and AJ Warner to make sure the lines worked and do any indoor construction that needed done.

For a lot of her other questions, Saylor contacted the Coin Laundry Association, with members and staff who assisted her along the way. She also received help from many people in Creston, such as those at the Creston Chamber of Commerce and Small Business Development Centers.

Saylor received an associate’s degree in sonography from Mercy College of Health Sciences in Des Moines. She worked as a sonographer until she injured her arm. Having very little business experience was difficult for her, but her outlook has changed drastically.

“We had our opening quietly that first week to make sure everything was working and everything went smooth,” Saylor said. “I was scared. Did I make a mistake? Is anyone going to come in? The day of it was better, and every day since is getting better.”

Now, Saylor is excited for the business.

“Business has gone beyond what I could have imagined. I love talking to people, so I’m always popping in and visiting with anyone who’s in here,” Saylor said.

The business boasts a vending machine, children’s toy box, bathroom, chairs, tables, laundry carts, washers and dryers.

Open from 9 a.m. to 10 p.m. everyday, prices are $2.50 for front-load washers, $1.50 for top-load washers, $6.50 for the extra-large washer, 25 cents for 10 minutes in the small dryer and 50 cents for 10 minutes in the large dryer.

“Customers pick up the toys. They pick up their trash. I’ve been amazed by the courtesy,” Saylor said. “They like the prices. They like the cleanliness.”

“I like the positive feedback. I like that it’s something the community needed and I learned that I did know what I was doing,” Saylor said. “They (customers) knew that it was lacking down here for a long time. ... I had a lady drive from Arispe the other day to use it. She had heard good things so she drove up from Arispe.”

Saylor said the convenience of the business location, at 209 N. Maple St., and large parking area outside has boosted business. In the future, she hopes to expand hours, number of machines and other services available to people.