Apple Laundromat

Wow! This is a gem.
First off, I should say we have laundry facilities in my building, but it’s unsupervised and the machines are almost always occupied and the landlord has jacked up the cost several times. So I generally don’t mind walking a bit to Dundas to use this laundromat. I actually prefer it as it let’s me get away from the home/​office a bit and do some reading.
As far as laundromats go this one covers the basics and some more. The machines are pretty solid. There’s a change machine. A sink, a couple tables for folding and some baskets on wheels for transporting my larger loads from washer to dryer. Also you can buy detergent if you need it using the detergent vending machine.
But what I like about this place is all the other stuff. The owner is often present and is such a sweet lady! Sometimes she has her cute dog with her. There is a chalkboard for kids (and adults?) to draw on. A backyard patio (which I’m currently sitting on and enjoying a bit of these last few days of summer). A BOOK EXCHANGE! Security cameras. Some somewhat decent magazines. There’s a TV though I’ve never seen it turned on, but TVs are weird anyway. I’m pretty sure all the laundry machines are low energy/​low water use.
I think the book exchange is a pretty neat idea and is overflowing with a pretty broad range of books. Definitely some interesting ones in there. And I’ve seen a lot of children’s books for kids to read while their parents wait for the laundry. I’ll probably bring a few old books I don’t know what to do with anymore some day. But I think more people need to TAKE the books, because the shelves are overflowing.
The change machine wasn’t working one morning, but this place has an agreement with the convenience store a couple doors down for getting change if needed. So that wasn’t too much of a hassle.
The place is almost always clean and tidy, but you know how it is: sometimes people can be messy and ruin it for the rest of us. Most of the clientele seems nice though. I think the owner tries to keep it as clean as possible when she’s around and has a little lost and found pile for random clothes left behind in case you forget something.
Anyway, I rarely write reviews, but this place is a great find for the neighbourhood. I sometimes wonder if people don’t know it exists. It’s usually pretty quiet. The signs outside make it look like something other than a laundromat!