![](https://images.caxton.co.za/wp-content/uploads/sites/35/2014/03/Julie-Maule-Medium.jpg)
I laughed at a radio presenter last week. She said she was answering questions for a magazine article, and one of them was, “what luxury things do you love to receive ”? Her answer was, “forget the red roses, take me out for dinner to a BP service station and fill my car up!” Sounds funny but it could become a reality!!
Where am I?
I woke up to the sound of heavy rain but nothing could dampen my enthusiasm for finding a good bargain. The journey along Mount Pellan Drive, Bassonia was shocking as vehicles queued to get around the traffic circle by Builders Warehouse. I entered the car park and hurried into the shopping centre, joining the queue of shoppers already waiting in anticipation for the store’s doors to open. Bang on 07:30 the doors opened and in we went! Some good bargains and I’m glad I made the effort and managed to save a few hundred rand. And I have some Christmas gifts, tra, lala! Oh, the answer is – The Woolies Sale.
Focus on Local
This week I went to Rosettenville and visited Econowash Laundromat/ M & J Ironing at 33 Verona Street. Owners, Maureen and John Curran, bought M & J Ironing in 1999 and Econowash in 2002. They have many regular customers who have been patronising the business since the doors opened. I asked how much it costs to have a small load of washing done (washed and dried)? “The cost is between R48 to R50 for a small load,” said John. What absolutely amazed me, if you do the washing yourself and waste an hour or more at the laundromat, it costs the same amount as if you leave your washing there and it’s done for you ready for collection! Now that’s great service at a great price!
![John and Maureen Curran.](https://comarochronicle.co.za/wp-content/uploads/sites/37/2014/03/1411kbag-423x280.jpg)
On the ironing side of the business you pay per item. It’s R5 for shirts, etc, jeans and sheets R6 and curtains, depending on the size, from R20 per drop.
“Many of our customers we know very well and know precisely which day they’ll bring in their washing. All our customers are different, some bring in washing twice a week, others once a week and some when their washing basket is full. One problem, some customers drop off their washing and forget to collect it. Only when they run out of clothes do they realise they still have a basket of clothes here with us,” laughed John.
“We have really good staff, Glenrose Mabaso on the laundromat side and Elsie Mabaso to assist with the ironing,” John added.
![The outside of the businesses.](https://comarochronicle.co.za/wp-content/uploads/sites/37/2014/03/1411kbag2-Custom-423x280.jpg)
Chatting to Maureen and John I could tell how proud they are of their business and the fantastic service they offer. “We believe in giving good service, this way our customers will keep coming back,” they said.
Econowash Laundromat is open from 07:00 to 17:00 seven days a week and M & J Ironing from Monday to Friday 07:00 to 17:00. Phone 011 435 0879011 435 0879.
With the weather we experienced last week I could have done with dropping my washing off here!
Bouquet of the Week
Sonja Loeve from Rosettenville gives a bouquet to OK Bazaars in Main Street, Rosettenville. “I’d seen a couple of their amazing specials in a pamphlet and went along to buy them. They were out of stock but a gentleman by the name of Vincent Khumalo who works there, moved heaven and earth to get me the items. It’s not often you see such dedication. Thank you very much Vincent.”
That’s it for this week. E-mail: juliem@caxton.co.za or phone 011 724 7000011 724 7000. Shop till you drop.
Julie