Minority-owned laundry business takes over vacant property in Smoketown neighborhood

Tom Round
Tom Round
WDRB Photojournalist

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Aug 17, 2022
Aug 17, 2022 Updated Aug 17, 2022

LOUISVILLE, Ky. (WDRB) -- An official grand-opening celebration was held Wednesday for Smoketown Laundry.

YouthBuild Louisville and its corporate partner, GE Appliances, helped in a public/private partnership to transform a vacant property at East Breckenridge and Hancock streets into a local, minority-owned, small business and social support center.

The building was once home to three businesses: a barber shop, car detailer and liquor store.

"It's a great neighborhood, and I think that it's well-needed," said David Steele, owner and operator of Smoketown Laundry. "Hopefully, this will be the pillar to bring more businesses into the neighborhood."

Steele is a lifelong Smoketown resident who grew up going to the barber shop in the building as a child. He hopes this laundromat will become a pillar in the community and be a catalyst for more business development.

This Friday, Aug. 19, GE will sponsor a free laundry day where people can come in and do a load of laundry for free.

And the laundromat is only part of the building's intended use. The other half of the building will be used as a community meeting space that is expected to be completed by the end of 2023.