Boot’s Coin Op Laundromat

Talk about character! Except for the President Obama photo hung proudly beside a faded John Kennedy and a Bill Traylor print, this narrow space looks the same as the day Boot’s opened — and that was quite some time ago. Boot still runs the operation. You’ll find him at the fold-​out table in the back, sitting with a cadre of old heads, drinking coffee, eating cookies, and … playing checkers. Boot’s takes checkers seriously. Observe the assorted boards and checker pieces, note the long and lovingly-​maintained chess wall of fame.
The place is immediately comforting and homey. Possibly due to the soft drone of the gi-​normous dryers, the tight quarters, that old-​time faded linoleum stink, the wall of photos snapshotting the business’s life, the handlettering on the squeeky front door, a stream of vistors stopping to say Hi! and take a quick load off their feet. What a contrast to the poverty and questionable commerce occuring at the corner feet from the front door.
Visit this neighborhood fixture while it’s still around, get schooled in North Philly hospitality and get your butt whooped in chess. The prices are ridiculously cheap, by the way. Just don’t come here after sunset — Cecil B & Ridge can be shaay-​dy.