location of new coin laundry

[hmiller]

I have identified two possible locations for a new facility. Each location is approximately 1/1/2 miles apart with the same approximate square footage. One location is in a shopping center with a twenty four hour grocery store (although i will be open only between the hours of 7am to 9pm m-f. The second location is just a strip shopping center with 7 apt complexes within walking distance with an average of 150 units each also there is a trailer park as well. I have been told that it is always better to be located in a shopping center with a grocery store. I would appreciate any feedback or suggestions.

[Dave_in_Minnesota]

It is hard to make a recommendation with the amount of info presented. I would find a way to see what type of facilities are available to the tenants at the trailer park and the apt buildings. This should be very easy. If they have good facilities today, what added value are you going to provide?

Cost, visual appeal, and traffic exposure are also important features...

[thelaundryguy]

You know, I've never seen an apartment building(complex) or trailer park that had adequate laundry facilities. While it's true that it's great to have a grocery store in your center, you may also have some very essential services in the strip mall. what is the signage like? How far away is it visible? What kind of lease is available in either site? Are the businesses in the strip center doing any kind of value clipper ad, or are there opportunities to do some co-op marketing with the other stores? How long has the market been in the center, what do the other tenants in the strip center think of the landlord? Lots to think about. Just because there is a large anchor store in a center, does not make it a good site. Have you talked to a local distributor to get their take on either site?

[petefritz]

I would avoid a laundry mat next to a C-store like the plauge. You end up with a lot of extra trash you have to clean up in the parking lot, and inside. Losing lottery tickets, cig butts and old paks, beer cans will be all over the floor and parking lot, just lots of trash from the c-store customers you have to clean up. And they tend to come in to your store for change for the phones, games, etc becuase most c-stores won't give change. Then the issue of lost rev from soap and soda vending machines due to the c-store next door is a factor. There are more problems, but it gives you the idea of why to stay away from c-stores. I have a store nestled in bewteen trailer parks , and a bar next door. Is so much less work keeping clean than the one I have next to a c-store. and much more profitable.

[Howard]

Neither location will work for you. You say you will only be open M-F 7am to 9pm, most laundromats do 40-60% of their business on Saturdays and Sundays. What the #$%#$ are you thinking man?