Putting a New Spin on Laundry in Lakewood

Katie’s Clean & Green Laundry Center is putting a new spin on laundry.

With machines that weigh your load and send text messages when they’re done, this isn’t your mother’s laundromat.

Chuck Pappadakes, who named the business after his wife, Katie, opened the coin laundromat and dry cleaning shop at 13415 Detroit Avenue where Society Dry Clean was most recently located.

Technically, it’s a coin laundry, but this high-tech twist on the laundry machine features credit and debit options.

“Not to brag, but we’re the first store in Ohio with this technology and one of the first in the Midwest,” Pappadakes said. “There’s a lot of innovative stuff in this store.”

The laundromat features free Wi-Fi Internet service; the dryers spin in both directions (to cut back on wrinkling) with air comes that from the center of the machine to evenly dry the clothes; and some of the machines wash and dry in one load.

Pappadakes began his laundry business at the location in February, and began an extensive renovation. Last week, Katie’s Clean & Green celebrated its grand opening — with 64 high-tech laundry machines.

He said he invested about $900,000 in the facility. Of that, about $400,000 is the renovation to the space alone.

“This is cool — the latest technology,” said Pappadakes, who first went into business for himself in the late-1970s as the owner of a video arcade. Then he went into mortgage banking.

“This is our first business in Lakewood,” he added. “We’re glad to be here." 

The city of Lakewood is glad they’re here, too.

“It’s an exciting green business that’s come to Lakewood,” said Dru Siley, the city’s director planning and development. “It’s a good indicator of the kind of business that were’ trying to attract to the city.”

The store is open from 8 a.m. to 10 p.m., but the last load must be started by 9 p.m. For more information call the store at 216-712-4334.