
For some people, going to the laundromat is a dreaded chore. But for longtime Point Loma residents Jerry Polansky and Rob Sussman, going to the laundromat is the fulfillment of a 20-year dream. For two decades, Sussman had contemplated owning a laundry facility that would help him not only make a solid income but also utilize his years of customer service experience to reinvigorate a task that had grown increasingly banal. When a laundromat in Pacific Beach closed last fall after 25 years in operation, Sussman saw his chance. He and Polansky bought the facility, and after a major renovation, opened Spin Spa Laundry in October 2009. The result is a contemporary spin on laundry that goes beyond the humdrum wash, dry and fold that many laundromat customers have come to expect. Amid the standard rows of washers, dryers and laundry carts, patrons will also find a lounge complete with a cappuccino/latte machine, bistro tables, snacks, an assortment of magazines, flat screen TVs, and free WiFi and electric outlets for laptop users. The duo has also hired massage therapists who offer free five-minute chair massages on-site several days a week. Some customers choose to avoid the chore of doing their own laundry by dropping it off at the fluff and fold station, then get a free massage on their way out. “When we started, we knew that what customers appreciate first and foremost is having a comfortable place to do their laundry, a place where they can feel relaxed and at ease,” Polansky said. “We want our customers to feel like this could be their living room.” Polansky and Sussman have incorporated this vision into every detail of their facility, from the potted plants that give a softer finish to the industrial machines, to the artwork that adorns the walls. Their renovation also included fresh paint and diamond plating for the walls, a major remodel of the bathroom and the installation of brand new high-energy washers and dryers. Even the bistro chairs were given thoughtful consideration. “This cloth seating is harder to clean, but when you sit in these chairs, you feel like you are more at home than when you use plastic, institutional seating,” Polansky said. “Our customers deserve to have a nice place.” Polansky said that business has been growing steadily, although he does see the effects of the recession. He and Sussman plan to bring in more customers by expanding the massage therapy schedule and also co-promoting their services with other business owners in the Pacific Beach community. Spin Spa Laundry is located at 5010 Cass St. at Loring in Pacific Beach. For more information about their services, visit www.spinspalaundry.com or call (858) 272-SPIN (7746). SPIN?SPA?LAUNDRY WHAT: Offers multiple amenities for customers, including free 5-minute chair massages, a latte/cappuccino machine, flat screen TVs, and fluff and fold service. WHERE: 5010 Cass St. CONTACT: (858) 272-SPIN (7746), www.spinspalaundry.com