About two months ago, I was concerned about gas prices, which typically have been higher in Morton than anywhere else. Recently, prices have been more affordable — the only good thing to come out of a sluggish economy.
Mortonites — it is not just gas we are being charged a little extra for, as I found out when I made a trip to the local laundromat to wash my clothes.
Unfortunately, I am not an owner of a washer and dryer, so I have to drive my clothing down Jefferson Avenue to Morton Coin Wash — Morton’s only laundromat.
Last time I washed my clothes there, a load of laundry cost $1.75. It was a high price, yet, affordable and understandable — the business had to raise its costs by 25 cents to help foot rising electricity costs.
I sighed, but knowing I had no other choice, I continued to use the local laundromat. In all fairness, it is a nice facility with friendly employees.
It was not until my most recent visit last weekend that I realized the time has come to consider alternate ways of keeping myself in fresh, clean clothing.
The cost of one small washer at Morton Coin Wash — $2.25. This blew me away.
I felt like I was washing my clothes in the year 2050. I wondered — if I placed a dollar in the quarter machine, would I only get 75 cents back?
I did four loads of laundry and it cost me $10. Then, drying the clothes cost 25 cents for four minutes.
Knowing I was pressed for quarters, I decided to combine my four loads of laundry into two dryers. I placed them in the machine for an hour each. At 25 cents for four minutes, I spent $3.75 on each dryer.
By the time my laundry was done, I spent $17.50 to keep myself smelling and looking spiffy. Granted, I did more laundry than usual, as I yanked my winter clothes off the shelves for cleaning.
The point is, at $2.25 per load, I am wondering how many customers are willing to pay that price when they have other options at much lower prices.
I called several area laundromats in Tazewell County to compare their prices with Morton Coin Wash. I was not surprised to learn that each one of them is at least 50 cents cheaper than in Morton for a load of laundry.
Customers will get more minutes per quarter to dry their clothes at each one of these area laundromats, too.
The closest option is in Washington, where customers can visit Island Sun Laundry and pay $1.75 to wash one load of laundry. Each dryer will give seven minutes per quarter at the business. One of the employees there said, on average, a person will spend $2.50 to wash and dry one load of laundry — in Morton, it will cost at least $4.
A little further, in Pekin there are also cheaper options. At Courtesy Laundry and Dry Cleaners, the cost for one washer is $1.50. The cost to dry is a quarter for six minutes.
At Economy Laundry and Cleaning in Pekin, the cost is also $1.50 to wash one load. Customers will get eight minutes per quarter in the dryer.
In case some are considering purchasing a washer and dryer, there are some really good deals in the form of used appliances. Last week, a classified ad in this paper listed a washer/dryer combination for $150.
If I made about nine trips to Morton Coin Wash with the same amount of laundry, I could purchase those appliances with that amount of money, and I would not have to drive to use them.
Customers may find it cheaper to drive the extra 10 to 15 miles to wash their laundry elsewhere.
When I am doing laundry, I am not looking for a friendly staff or a nice facility. I am looking for a machine that will spin my clothes and one that will dry them. The last place I am looking for good customer service is in the laundromat. Why? Because I am doing the laundry myself, anyway.
Morton Coin Wash owner Bradd Mennenga bought the business last year. He said he is having trouble paying his utilities, as he expects many others are as well.
Mennenga said he pays more than $4,000 a month in utilities. He would like to pursue a better option for gas, but he said the village does not offer businesses the option to seek different suppliers.
While he agreed the increase requires customers to pay 50 cents more than anywhere in Tazewell County, he said his business offers a better environment than anywhere else in the area.
I agree, Morton Coin Wash is a decent-sized facility. The machines and tables are kept very clean. But, I would be willing to wash my clothes in a damp, dark dragon’s lair for a cheaper price.
Mennenga also said 50 cents is barely anything to cough at these days.
“You can’t buy anything for 50 cents anymore,” he said.
This is true, but when I am running two loads of laundry, I could have purchased a soda with the additional $1 I was just charged. Heck, I could have spent it in the laundromat’s soda machine.
The saying goes, “pennies can add up” — and so can 50 of them.
But, Mennenga said customers will not find an atmosphere similar to that of Morton Coin Wash.
Mennenga said he is glad he only has to pay $30 to fill his vehicle with gas now. But, he said he believes those gas prices will return to ridiculous levels once the transition to the White House is made.
He said he thinks the same will happen with his utility bill. Last month, he said his utility bill was a bit lower than normal. He said that has him second-guessing his decision at the laundromat, but he is almost sure that his business is just the first to raise its prices and others will follow suit.
“I think its just the first stepping stone,” Mennenga said.
Since the price increase, Mennenga admits he has lost a few customers. Some have even complained about the prices. But, he said, people are willing to pay the price because they are receiving better service in a nice environment.
“Would I pay it?” Mennenga asked. “Yeah, because I like the environment.”
