Success Story - The Laundry Barn

“Bringing Essential Services to Pocatello’s Underserved: The Laundry Barn Story”

 

Ed Welsh first came to the SBDC in 2021 for advice on buying a business. After consultant Claudia Allen helped him and his partner realize it was overpriced and had zoning issues, they decided not to buy it.  

In May of 2023, he again reached out because he was interested in buying a building in Downtown Pocatello to open a laundromat. There were no other laundromats on the west side of town and this one is located across the street from the only grocery store downtown. They renovated the old building and purchased state of the art machines.

Claudia helped him create all his business licenses and Seller’s Permit, and he opened in July of 2023.  Claudia set up their QuickBooks Online.  Co-owner Peggy Welsh, an elementary school teacher, continues to work with the SBDC to manage their QuickBooks Online. 

The laundromat was so successful the first year that they purchased an existing laundromat across town, renamed it The Laundry Barn 2 and opened that in January of 2024.  Their two children are responsible for stocking the vending machines and they are allowed to keep the revenue from the candy, pop and laundry supplies.