New Sign Lavandería

[Buddy_Amoroso]

I am designing a new sign and I am thinking about adding the word "Lavandería" (Spanish for Laundromat) under the word "Laundromat". About 30% of my customers are Hispanic.

What do you think?

buddy amoroso

[Swampy]

I really don't think it's necessary. My clientel is probably 50% Mexican and they all found my laundry with no Spanish translation on my sign.

[amartlock]

I agree the hispanic population (approx 80% of my customers) know what a laundromat is, however, if you're marketing to hispanics, having the word lavanderia might push the fact that your mat is latino friendly.

[Walter]

Buddy,

An interesting question. If you'll be adding some Hispanic-friendly features - spanish-speaking attendant, Hispanic-favored detergents, snacks & soda, spanish signs, music, TV station, etc., then it especially makes sense.

One thing to be careful of, though. In some communities, a growing Hispanic population can be viewed as "displacing" other long-term residents, and your laundromat could be viewed as tipping toward one communty group at the expense of another. In some cities & towns, residents sometimes designate (in their minds) specific laundromats as ones frequented by ethnic group A or B...

Walter

[WhatwasIThinkin]

with all of the discussion in the country regarding illegal immigration you risk more than you gain with this kind of sign-in my opinion. Spanish speakers will find a laundromat with english signs but certain segments of the "native" population will find it a turnoff. I put "thank you for your business" in English and Spanish and the only comments I got were "make them speak english" type comments".

[pete f]

I agree with the others just based on emails I get from friends, about press 1 to hear English, etc. I only know a couple words in Spanish, yet I understand what Lavandería means. Because the English language is made up of many parts of all other languages, some words are easy to interrupt. All that said, some smaller important type signage in the mat is helpful.
On the flipper side, I thought the local language was more French/Cajun,, how do you say laundromat in Creole?