Many aspiring laundromats who want to open a laundry shop usually only ask two questions when they go to real estate agencies to look for properties: "How big?" and "How much is the rent?"
But Sunshine Laundry's franchise consultant team tells you that there is another crucial factor that will greatly affect your future business volume, namely the "shop shape" and "storefront width"!
Both are 300 sq ft shops with the same rent, so why do some look much larger while others are tucked away in a corner and go unnoticed? Today, we'll delve into the concept of "side shops."與A comprehensive overview of the pros and cons of "long, narrow shops," along with tips on how to make the most of your "signboard space"!
🥊 Round 1: The Storefront King—"Wide Side Shop" Shop Front)
A "sidewalk shop" refers to a shop with a very wide frontage but a shallow interior. In the laundry industry, this type of shop is considered to have a "natural advantage"!
✅ Advantages of laying tiles horizontally:
- The signboard is extremely large, making it an excellent spot to attract customers. A wide storefront means you can create a super long and eye-catching sign! People from all over the street can spot your laundry shop at a glance, maximizing its visibility.
- Visually stunning, boosting confidence: The most attractive sight in the laundromat is the rows of neatly arranged washing machines and dryers. The side shops allow all the machines to be lined up in a row facing the large glass window. As people walk by, they can clearly see the bright and clean interior and immediately see if any machines are available, greatly increasing their desire to go in and do their laundry.
❌ Disadvantages of laying tiles horizontally:
- Rental premium: Because of their spacious storefronts, owners usually ask for more money than long shops of the same size.
- Logistics space challenges: The store is shallow, so space needs to be reserved for a customer waiting area, a folding counter, and storage space for detergents. This places very high demands on the floor plan design.
🥊 Round Two: A Practical Choice—"Deep & Narrow Shop"
"Long shop" means that the storefront is very narrow (may only be the width of a glass door and a window), but the inside is very deep, and the shape is like a long corridor.
✅ Advantages of long, narrow shops:
- The rent is relatively affordable. Narrow storefronts usually have lower rents, which greatly reduces monthly operating pressure and speeds up the payback period.
- Clearly defined zones and ample logistical space: The store is deep enough to easily divide the "front area" (customer ordering/self-service area) and the "back area" (large laundry equipment, storage, and staff rest area), making the operation flow very smoothly.
❌ Disadvantages of using long, narrow pavements:
- Signboard placement is restricted: With a narrow storefront, the signboard at the main entrance is naturally small and easily obscured by the signs of the tea restaurants or garages next door, becoming a "visual blind spot" for the locals.
- Easily feels pressured: If the machine is not positioned well, customers will feel like they are walking into a tunnel, which will make them feel cramped.
💡 Sunshine Laundry Expert's Secret: How to Turn the Tide with a Long Strip of Products?
If you've set your sights on a long, narrow shop, attracted by its lower rent and high usable area, how can you solve the problem of its narrow storefront? Sunshine Laundry offers 3 solutions:
- Make good use of "side signs/protruding light boxes": Since the front signboard isn't big enough, you need to expand horizontally. Apply for the installation of a double-sided lightbox that extends out onto the street, so that neighbors can see you when they walk by on either side of the street.
- Extremely bright indoor lighting: Shine the lights brightest at the back of the shop! Use the lights to guide the eye, so that customers feel the space is bright and clean when they look inside from the entrance.
- Large glass + dynamic display: Use floor-to-ceiling glass for the storefront as much as possible, and place the most eye-catching, rotating dryer closest to the entrance to attract passersby's attention with its "dynamic" design.
📏 Don't know how to draw a shop location plan? Let our professional team create one tailored to your needs!
Horizontal paving has its imposing presence, while long paving has its practicality. Most importantly, it should be "tailored to local conditions," coordinating with professional equipment placement and interior design!
When investing in a laundry shop, don't blindly draw up plans on your own!Sunshine Laundry Franchise TeamWith years of practical experience, no matter what shape of shop you find, our engineering and design team can help you draw up the perfect floor plan, turning every inch of space into profit!
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💬 Get it for free: Bring us the floor plan or dimensions of your preferred shop location, and we will provide you with [services/equipment].Free preliminary computer setup plan assessmentWe'll help you keep track of the numbers, so you can be a boss with peace of mind!