Story Photos
 Photo by Roger Werth Magdy Hegazy and Zahraa Orellana are putting the finishing touches on their Speedy Clean Laundry in Kelso. The two plan to open the store next Monday and will be offering free shuttle service to and from their Laundromat. |
Talking Biz: Laundromat takes full service to new level
Monday, April 24, 2006 9:50 AM PDT
By Evan Caldwell
Printable version
E-mail this articleMagdy Hegazy and Zahraa Orellana sat down about two months ago to discuss how to create a better Laundromat.
"We want to bring back customer service," Orellana said. "Going to a laundromat doesn't have to be a miserable experience."
Speedy Clean Laundry, which the husband and wife team is set to open soon in Kelso at 811 S. Pacific Ave., will featuring comfortable seating, an attendant and a free shuttle service.
"A woman with two kids and three bags of laundry doesn't want to get on the bus," Orellana said. "We're trying to put together a Laundromat you don't normally see."
The location had been home to Laundromats in the past, but Hegazy and Orellana said they plan to stay a while.
"We've had two months of renovation and upgrades," Orellana said. "I can't wait to open."
Orellana said the shop's hours will probably be 8:30 a.m. to 9 p.m. Monday through Saturday, and 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. Sunday. The shuttle will probably require a call at least a day in advance and will run from 9 a.m. to late afternoons.
Speedy Clean can be reached at 261-5129.
Engraving shop carves niche in downtown Longview
Ken Falter, who has worked in the trophy and engraving business for four years, recently opened Ken's Engraving Emporium at 1234 Commerce Ave. in downtown Longview.
In addition to engraving, Falter sells glasses, watches, wedding gifts and baby gifts.
"If you give someone a key chain or a glass with a saying on it, it's a little more special," Falter said. "You can personalize lots of things to make it unique."
He also sells baseball, soccer and other sports trophies and can engrave almost any surface, including jewelry.
The shop is open from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. weekdays and 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday. The number is 578-0844.
Entek celebrates 60 years
Entek Corp./B&B Air Conditioning is celebrating its 60th year in business this year.
The company, started in 1946 by Ed Bert as Bert’s Refrigeration, has grown to two locations --- in Longview and in Vancouver --- and more than 60 employees.
"It has been a matter of growing and changing," said Dennis Yalch, Entek/B&B marketing manager. "It grew up through the days of oil furnaces, but the technology has gotten huge. We've branched out into Vancouver about 15 years ago and now that's as big as the Longview shop."
The store can be reached at 423-3010.
If you know about a business opening, closing or going through major changes, contact reporter Evan Caldwell . He can be reached at evan.caldwell@tdn.com. or Business Happenings, The Daily News, P.O. Box 189, Longview, WA 98632.
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