Deer Park native Jake Duenich and his wife Katie, have turned a neglected building into a state-of-the-art laundromat with the goal of offering the cleanest laundry facilities in town. 123Laurndry is now open just across the street from the Post Office.
Born and raised in the Deer Park area, Jake spent years traveling the country as a lineman. The couple even explored opening a laundromat in Branson, Missouri, but their hearts led them back to Jake’s hometown.
The building, originally a tire store from the 1950s, was purchased by Jake and Katie, who spent two months and four days remodeling it at a breakneck pace. Jake said it was made possible by a number of key contractors, including his own general contracting company, JK PNW Investments, along with Diamondback Electric, Strum, and Gaiser Plumbing. The project involved removing multiple flooring layers, including at least one layer of concrete.
During the renovation, they discovered a handwritten receipt stapled to a beam, a charming piece of history they plan to frame and display. The building, which had grown dilapidated and neglected before the renovation, now stands alongside other recent examples, such as the Olsen Building, of new business owners bringing fresh life to Deer Park.
Their laundromat stands out. An on-site attendant is available during most operating hours, ensuring a clean and welcoming environment. “Our goal is to have the cleanest laundromat in town,” says Jake.
The laundromat features a modern, easy-to-use system to avoid lugging around pounds of quarters. The ATM-like touch screens make it easy to put money on a card that you can scan at the washer and dryer machines.
The couple’s vision extends beyond the laundromat. The other half of the building will be home to a Head Start center, which will open in October in collaboration with Eastern Washington University (EWU).
For more information, visit their Facebook page or their website.
