April 21, 2008
Lights, Camera, Spin: Laundry Lounge
Torontoist photographer John Beebe is exploring the city's most interesting laundromats, one by one by one. Tune back in every other week for another clean, dry, freshly-pressed edition.
Nothing like a little pop art to make doing laundry less of a chore. Torontoist found graphic entertainment at the Laundry Lounge (527 Yonge Street) as we set out to document the character and characters of our city's laundromats. If you want to drop your dirty clothes off at Laundry Lounge, Andre, the owner and manager (pictured above), will clean them for you—or, if you want to do your own and enjoy the art, he'll regale you with insights on laundry, politics, or the city scene.
Art with your laundry.
A passion for suds... or art, at least.
This pair discovered Laundry Lounge while visiting from San Diego, California.
Laundry Lounge is customer-driven; all of its art was created by its customers.
All photos by John Beebe.
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The times I've been to this laundromat, I've found the owner quite grating and sometimes downright rude.
I have no idea what it is but he seems to have a chip on his shoulder and that he's doing a favour to us.
Others I know, agree with my observations. Anyone else notice this?
...like the time that random bleach puddles ruined half a load of my laundry, and when I burst into tears the dude had nothing to say except, "Too bad for you, it's not our responsibility"?
A few years back he had the names of two policemen on a 10ft vinyl banner over his door stating that they were not allowed on the premises unless they were performing official police business. Chip on his shoulder, indeed!
@deadrobot
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That was a different owner. There was a change of ownership when the laundromat moved around the corner.
By the way, did you like the claustrophobic environment. Hardly enough room to turn around in and unloading a washer meant you blocked the aisle for others.
My apartment building now has front-load washers, so I've not been back for more than 3 years.