Grand Rapids Laundromat Now Serving Alcohol: Owner Shares Excitement

The Grand Rapids laundromat hoping to be able to be the first Michigan laundromat to serve alcohol just got final approval!

Janna from our staff wrote about this back in November, but the owner, Edward Bates was still working through the process hoping the Grand Rapids Planning Commission and Michigan Liquor Control Commission would see the light and approve his plan.

Crain's Business Grand Rapids reported the the Duds N Suds laundromat just got approval to sell drinks, beer, wine and cider. Hey, that could make doing your laundry much more relaxing.

Edward Bates got approval to sell pre-packaged alcoholic drinks at his laundromat located at 1517 Langley St. SE on the city’s far south side. The planning commission only approved the sale of pre-packaged drinks for onsite consumption, though that is all Bates sought with the project.

Bates said:

“It’s been a long road getting here. I do not expect to sell a high volume of alcohol. I don’t plan on or look for any type of rowdiness. I don’t drink, I never have, so I didn’t know what to buy or serve, so I have had to consult (others) on what to stock.”

 

So now Bates can now sell pre-packaged beer, wine and spirits that he plans to store in a cooler that only staff can access, he said.

The Duds N Suds’ laundromat clientele typically comes to use the laundromat’s high-capacity washers for larger items such as comforters or area rugs, Bates said. The business operates from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m.

All Bates has to do now is add some plantings between the parking lot and the road.

Done deal!