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Already an entrepreneur, Dr. La Cesha Brintley is concerned about much more than her bottom line as she launches her newest business.
Last month, the Detroit native opened Our Community Laundromat at 15429 Schaefer Highway on the city's northwest side with a purpose. Alongside washers and dryers, the Bethune Community neighborhood business offers services supporting youth, seniors and small businesses.
It's equipped with 46 washers and 43 dryers, and each machine costs between $3 and $10 to operate.
Brintley gives some quarters back through a "Wash and Read" program she's implemented. Children who participate in the program earn coins for finishing books from a small library inside the laundromat which go toward their family's laundry services.
"I just remember seeing how kids suffered during the pandemic, particularly kids in our community," Brintley said. "Literacy rates and test scores were already not so great, but the pandemic made that worse. Focusing on reading is important to me. It's a very basic thing that honestly not a lot of people can do. I want to see these kids succeed and that starts with reading."
The laundromat has priority service hours for seniors 7 a.m.-noon each Tuesday, during which seniors can also participate in social activities such as exercise classes and enjoy food and entertainment.
Brintley also uses a section of the building as a pop-up shop where small business owners can showcase their offerings at no charge.
The small business owner also plans to implement a Community...