At least one member of The Chicks is ready to make nice with San Antonio. Grammy-winning multi-instrumentalist Emily Strayer will open SOAP Laundry Lounge, a swanky laundromat and coffee bar at 900 Oblate Dr., on December 4.
Although Strayer and her husband, musician Martin Strayer, are often on the road, they purchased the building as a long-term investment in their adopted hometown. She envisioned the spot as both a neighborhood amenity and a community hub.
“SOAP was born from the idea that everyday tasks can be enjoyable,” Emily Strayer says in a release. “I wanted to create a space that’s not just functional but inspiring, a place that brings people together and helps elevate how we live, even in the simplest moments, like laundry.”
SOAP Laundry Lounge customers can catch up on emails while handling their chores.Photo courtesy of SOAP Laundry Lounge
The laundromat portion of the 5,500-square-foot building offers 64 slow water, energy-saving machines — 28 washers and 36 dryers — outfitted with the Aquawing Ozone Laundry System, a hospital-grade sanitization technology that kills 99.9 percent of bacteria and viruses.
In addition to self-service, SOAP offers a wash-and-fold option starting at $4 per wash. The laundromat uses a card-based payment system, which allows customers to load funds via cash, card, or EBT. The cards can be used throughout the concept, including the coffee bar.
The drinks take at least some of the drudgery out of the much-hated chore. The menu includes a full roster of espresso drinks, teas, lemonades, and pastries alongside a few seasonal favorites like a Mexican mocha and a peppermint cold brew. With the complimentary WiFi, the concept almost functions like a coworking space.
A view of SOAP Laundry Lounge’s stylish interior.Photo courtesy of SOAP Laundry Lounge
Although they couldn’t do much with the machines, Austin-based FÖDA conceived an interior to look far different from most grimy laundromats. Natural materials, a warm color palette, bubble-inspired details, and tons of lighting make the interior look far from sterile.
Strayer says she is not through investing in the Alamo City, hinting at some long-term plans.
“I wanted to invest in something that truly belongs to San Antonio,” she adds in a statement. “SOAP is just the beginning. I hope to continue expanding offerings that make everyday life a little more beautiful for our community.”
After the invite-only grand opening party, SOAP Laundry Lounge will be open daily from 7 am-10 pm., with the last wash at 9 pm.