​Loss of laundromat in Kincardine is very sad news, says former owner

To the Editor:
RE: “​Firefighters battle structure fire, Saturday morning, in downtown Kincardine”

What very sad news to hear of the fire at the laundromat in Kincardine.

In early 2004, my job had folded in Toronto. I took my severance, we cashed in our house, and searched for a small business anywhere west of Highway 400, south of Georgian Bay and east of the Detroit River.

We chanced upon the Penny’s Laundromat listing by accident. Our agent had shown us a dry cleaning operation in Harriston, but my work experience told me that looming environmental legislation would cause problems. “Since you’ve come this far, why don’t we go a bit west and check another listing?"

We drove down Russell Street from Highway 21 to a beautiful view of Lake Huron past Victoria Park and then to Penny’s parking lot with its even more stunning view of the piers and lake.

That was it! July 15, 2004, Fiona and I took over Penny’s Laundromat from Peter Shewfelt.

From then on, we were part of the best kept secret in Ontario, if not Canada. We were part of Kincardine.

Penny’s clients included media, cultural, and political celebrities from the United States (U.S.), Canada, and elsewhere.

This was the only laundromat between South River and Grand Bend where boaters could walk from their berths with their bags of laundry. It was listed in navigational guides. Unless things have changed, it’s a vital draw for passing boaters,

I don’t know who the current owner is, but the fire couldn’t have happened at a worse time.

During our tenure, we, like many other small businesses, had four months to garner profit. Some U.S. schools close in mid-June and others re-open in mid-September. During that period, our machines were booked solidly. During the rest of the year, we struggled to meet expenses until later when Bruce Power had surges of contractor activity.

Hopefully, the structure is not a complete loss, and proper insurance safeguards are in place.

We are concerned for renters and the summer residents - Penny’s is a critical sanitary service for them.

Regards to all our Kincardine friends,
Nick and Fiona Toth