Looking at getting into this business

[Troubled1]

And in reading and learning from here,
I was recently in a small town in Southern MN and looked at 2 established Laundromat's, since this is an area I would like to move to,
The one was in an old section of town, small sign, only backdoor to the place from the alley, next to a bar.. not a great area, and I can't understand how it get's enough traffic to even pay for itself..
Another one a couple of miles away, was on a corner, no off street parking, and the building itself needs a lot of cosmetic work.. and it was in a residentual area, another one that makes you wonder how it get any traffic in the door.
I didnt even go in either one... neither looked inviting.
This is a College town with a Private and a State college... and only 3 laundrymats.
And only one near the stat college campus..
The other one there I didnt look at, not enough time..
But I do want to get back down there come spring and do more homework on the area.
I just dont know how the 2 places stay open when they arent inviting?
I guess this just shows there opportunities for more competition.

[pete f]

You can't always judge a book by it's cover. Next time read a few pages..you learn a little more about the subject. I would guess a small town with 3 mats is probably enough mats. Many laundromat customers are poor and are happy to have a facility nearby, they do not always look for things people of means might. Just a simple washer working may be all they want. Not that you want to run a trash pit of a mat, but HD flat screens and wi-fi are probably not drawing cards for the average mat. You never went inside, so you have no idea of layout, machines, cleanlness,etc. which is reason for my comment.