For Patrick Montgomery and his wife, running a laundry business and becoming parents were always two sides of the same plan.

"My wife was working as a preschool teacher and really enjoyed it. But when we made the decision to have a family, she wanted a job with flexible hours. So we started looking for a business that would let her stay home with the kids when she needed to," Montgomery said.

Their first idea was vending machines, but they didn't like the idea of driving all around the city to check 30 machines.

"Then I thought - what if all the machines were in the same place? That's where I got the laundromat idea."

They found an abandoned laundromat in Tacoma's Westgate neighborhood, and nine months later the first Lighthouse Laundry opened its doors in March 1999 in Westgate South Mall, Tacoma. Then nine months later they came home from Cambodia with adopted twin boys!

"The property had been abandoned over a year but fortunately the infrastructure and a few washers and dryers were still there, Montgomery explained. "We bought 12 top loaders, four double loaders and eight dryers, put out A boards and made a profit from day one. Most of the former customers heard about us and came back! Over the years we have replaced all the old machines with new modern washers and dryers including most recently two eight load and two five load washers. Our carpeted floors make the laundry feel ‘just like home.'"

We chose the name ‘Lighthouse' based on the scripture: ‘So let your light so shine before men that they may see your good works and glorify God,' Matthew 5:16. We want people to know about Jesus. Take a free Bible."

Six years later they opened a second location in Federal Way as they needed more income for their growing family.

Everything on your laundry list

What do you look for in a laundromat? A clean, safe environment, video security and plenty of machines that wash and dry efficiently. Lighthouse Laundry has it all.

Large machines for specialty items like comforters and sleeping bags. Stay warm! Don't send your comforter to the cleaner where you'll spend a fortune and have to sleep without it for a night or two. Or get ready for camping! Wash and dry your comforter or sleeping bag here for just $9 in an hour.

Double loader washers for small loads. "Top loaders are OK, but front loaders are better. They clean clothes much more thoroughly, and have a high-speed spin to get clothes drier. Front loaders save our customers time and money," Montgomery explainded.

Wash and dry eight baskets of laundry in 90 minutes. "Even if you have your own machines at home, the laundromat can save time and home utility costs," Montgomery pointed out. "Get your whole family's laundry done in less than two hours, with time to do the grocery shopping or enjoy a meal at convenient restaurants in between."

ATM, bill changer machine. "There's a bill changer to get quarters and ATMs at Key Bank and Wells Fargo Bank across the street to get bills if you need to. We try to make it as easy as possible."

Find Lighthouse Laundry in Tacoma at 5738 N. 26^th St Ste 2, open 8 a.m. to 9 p.m. every day and on the web at www.lighthouselaundry.biz.

"Thank you for doing your wash here. We really appreciate your business," concluded Montgomery.

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