The Washroom (2706 N. Murray Ave.) has big dreams for laundry day. Kelli Johnson purchased the Murray Hill laundromat last year with a vision to transform the space for the neighborhood’s residents. She swapped out flickering bulbs and plain white walls for local art and rich greens, oranges and yellows that evoke a warm retro vibe.
“The area around UWM has a lot of character and personality, and this laundromat really needed to reflect the neighborhood,” Johnson says.
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She sees potential for laundromats, which she says are often viewed as uncomfortable or sterile, as third spaces. To that end, The Washroom features plush seating, a little library and a vending machine with items ranging from local pastries from Midwest SAD to Narcan – not to mention upgraded washing machines and dryers.
Events are also a part of Johnson’s plan to foster community connection and care. Previous events include a free wash day as well as a pop-up in collaboration with We Have Always Been Related Collective, when the hum of washers and dryers was accompanied by a DJ and free seeds to start your own garden. Johnson says she hopes to host more events in the future.
The laundromat project has grown in the past year with the addition of a co-owner who keeps day-to-day maintenance runnning smoothly while Johnson juggles admin, social media and her day job in the energy field.
“I would purchase laundromats all around the city if I could, turning them into third spaces and having poetry slams,” she says. “I imagine having local coffee there and a workspace. I hope one day I’ll get there.”
