Napier laundromat gives away services for flood victims
Despite this week’s flood ravaging its shop, a Napier laundromat opened up its remaining working machines free for anyone to use.
When Diamond Laundry Group's managing director Bruce Davidson travelled back to Napier on Wednesday and saw the Onekawa Liquid Laundromat's damage, his first thought went to helping the community affected by Monday’s deluge.
More than 240mm of rain fell between 9am on Monday and 9am on Tuesday – the city's wettest day since 1963 and second-highest ever - causing widespread flooding and landslides.
It plunged the city into a state of emergency for four days and many residents have been unable to return to their homes, and won't be able to for some time.
The store, which is located on Maadi Road, Onekawa, experienced with half of the 26 dryers out of action as a result.
But instead of focusing on how the storm had impacted them, they opened their doors on Friday for free for Napier residents, using the remaining 13 dryers, and 20 washing machines to show they "care".
Although they only decided to host the day with less than 48 hours notice, they completed 240 cycles from 8.30am to 5pm -the majority of which were for flood affected residents.
On the day, residents were able to have 2x wash/dry and 600 liquid cards loaded with enough credit for one wash or dry to use at a convenient time were also handed out.
Onekawa Liquid Laundromat opened its doors for free to Napier residents on Friday.
Mr Davidson said the majority of people who had come through on Friday had brought flood-damaged items including wet towels and linen that could not be washed in their domestic machines.
He said the day had been "amazing".
"Liquid Laundromats cares about the community and is here to support people in any way we can. It was about giving back to the community and the appreciation we received in return was more than we expected."
Some customers even brought in cups of coffee as a way to say thank you.
Their Facebook post received 127 likes, 31 shares and 41 comments, with many thanking the laundromat for their "aroha".
