GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. — A laundromat in Grand Rapids is about to become the first of its kind in the entire state.
Lewis Diallo Bates knows doing laundry is a chore.
"Nobody, as I say, wants to do laundry," said Bates. "It's a necessity, it's something you either do it or you have it done."
But even chores can be a good time, he said, under the right circumstances.
"If you have to do it, why not be able to just come and relax a little bit while you're here," said Bates.
That's the vision he had when he came up with Duds N Suds a few years ago, a laundromat where you can relax with a beer or wine while washing your clothes.
"I was thinking, that, why not have something different," said Bates.
Something different, however, came with unique challenges.
"Problem was finding the liquor license," said Bates.
A process that's taken longer than expected.
"We were denied twice," said Bates.
But now, Duds N Suds got the approval and Bates is working with a distributor to find the right products.
"I don't know, because I don't drink," he said. "So I don't know what to drink or what people like."
Finally at the finish line after working for years to make his vision a reality, Bates can't wait to share it with the world.
"Bring your laundry sit and relax and make time go a little quicker for you," he said.
Bates anticipates Duds N Suds will begin selling alcohol sometime next month.
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