Saturday, June 27, 2009

Village's newest business fills a void

T.S. Last El Defensor Chieftain General Manager

Magdalena's newest business offers a laundry list of services — including laundry.

"Suds and Stuff" officially opened March 5, but it wasn't until recently that the Laundromat was put into operation.

Located in the back of the building, the Laundromat includes five single-load washers and two triple-loaders, as well as six dryers.

Patricia Chambers and her husband, Mike, are the owners of the business.

People in the area have been clamoring for such a business, Patricia Chambers said. There is no such facility in the village, which has a population of about 1,000 people. Nor are there laundry facilities on the Alamo Navajo Indian Reservation, which has a population of about 2,000 and is located about 30 miles up N.M. 169.

"We feel like there's a need for it in the community," Chambers said. "There's such a huge demand. We get callers who say, 'Is your Laundromat open yet?' and we've already had some people come by with clothes."

Access to the Laundromat is from a parking lot in back.

There's a lounge area where patrons can sit and relax or watch TV while they wait for their laundry to cycle through.

Clothes may not be all that gets washed at the business, located in the former Little Maggie's Mercantile at 1006 First St., across U.S. 60 from Trail's End Market.

"The reason for 'Suds' is because of the Laundromat, but I'm anticipating putting in a car wash. That's the plan," Chambers said.

The "Stuff" part of the business includes DVD rentals, and copy and fax services.

Sending a fax costs $1 for the first page and 25 cents for each additional page. Copies cost 50 cents per page for a color copy and 15 cents for standard black-and-white copies.

Suds and Stuff has an inventory of more than 660 DVDs. And there's obviously a demand for movie rentals, which cost $2.50 for three nights.

"We haven't had a night where we haven't rented out a movie," Chambers said. "I feel blessed."

Ron Thornton is one of Suds and Stuff's best customers. Thornton estimates that he rents movies three or four times a week.

"The selections are very good and they're expanding," he said. "I rent horror movies, comedies, Sci-Fi, action, drama — whatever suits my needs at the time."

While Thornton has his own laundry facilities at home, he said the Laundromat comes in handy, too.

"I have been in situations when I didn't (have use of a washer and dryer) and had to go to Socorro or to a friend's house. It's definitely something the community needs."

Suds and Stuff is open Monday through Saturday, from 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. Last wash is at 6 p.m.

tslast@dchieftain.com

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