Laundromat Encyclopedia Article

Laundromat

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The following sections, if they exist, are offprint from Beacham's Guide to Literature for Young Adults: "About the Author", "Overview", "Setting", "Literary Qualities", "Social Sensitivity", "Topics for Discussion", "Ideas for Reports and Papers". (c)1994-2005, by Walton Beacham.

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Laundromat

The first business to provide self-service washing machines and clothes dryer s for a fee opened in 1934 in Fort Worth, Texas. Later establishments also offered soap, bleach, and blueing. As time went on, improvements were made to the laundry equipment available, amenities added, and washers and dryers became coin operated. In 1984 a business featuring laundry activities on one side of the facility and a deli on the other opened in Austin, Texas. Some modern facilities serve refreshments and food, provide dance music and videos, and are decorated with everything from neon lights to hanging plants although they might more accurately be referred to as dollar, rather than coin operated. Many modern laundromats will wash, dry and fold customer's clothes for a fee.