For 51 years, Coin Clean Laundry has gone through countless cycles of washer rhythms and dryer settings, serving both local and visitor clientele alike.
鈥淚t has always been about people,鈥� said Sam Koebel, who owns the business with his wife, Shelley. 鈥淢y dad started it in 1962 in the old Mountain Motors building [on Connaught Drive] and I started at the ripe old age of six working on the washing machines.鈥�
Coin Clean Laundry moved to its current location at 607 Patricia St. after the building鈥檚 construction in 1973. In 1991, Sam took over the business from his dad.
鈥淸The business] has seen some changes over the years,鈥� said Shelley. One of the major ones involved a 2004 renovation that brought in new laundry machines and a coffee bar.
Coin Clean Laundry opened its doors with three dryers and eight washers, said Sam, and now has 30 high efficiency washers and dryers. The upgrade earned an Environmental Stewardship Award from the municipality for water conservation.
SnowDome Coffee Bar, now under the umbrella of Coin Clean Laundry, was a beneficial addition, said the Koebels.
鈥淚t has really served a need that people probably didn鈥檛 even realize they wanted,鈥� said Shelley. 鈥淚t gives them something different than the typical laundromat experience.鈥�
Not only does the renovated laundromat offer a place for travellers to do laundry, shower, enjoy a coffee and surf the internet, it has transformed into a gathering place for Jasper residents. 鈥淭he coffee bar has brought different people from the community in who might not have otherwise visited it because they don鈥檛 need it.鈥�
The Koebels credit their handmade Slayer Espresso machine from Seattle for creating SnowDome鈥檚 signature coffee. They also buy coffee from a family-owned company that directly purchases it from growers. 鈥淭hey develop direct relationships with the growers and the way they purchase coffee makes a difference to those communities,鈥� said Shelley.
鈥淲e take our coffee very seriously,鈥� said Sam. 鈥淚t鈥檚 fun because it鈥檚 such a different place to do something like this.鈥�
Critics take SnowDome and Coin Clean Laundry seriously, too. It was the only Jasper business to receive recognition in the 2009 Rocky Mountain episode of Joseph Rosendo鈥檚 Travelscope. Rosendo鈥檚 production crew even used the washing machines and ordered coffee, 鈥淚t was exciting to have that kind of recognition.鈥�
Fabricare Canada magazine also published a feature in 2010 about Jasper鈥檚 unique laundromat/coffee bar.
Whether they come for the laundry facility, coffee bar, art exhibitions or musical performances, Coin Clean Laundry experiences many repeat customers. 鈥淥ften we have people that stop in and tell us that they were here 20 or 30 years ago,鈥� said Sam.
Coin Clean Laundry is celebrating its 51st anniversary on Monday, Aug. 5 from 7 p.m. to 9 p.m. Brett Wildeman and Wanderlust will perform live, and the festivities will run alongside the Jasper Artists Guild鈥檚 鈥淒ragons and Flowers鈥� show opening.
鈥淸Our customers] have supported us immensely by sending us referrals, so we just want to thank people and have some coffee, music, art, and fun,鈥� said Shelley.
Sarah Makowsky
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