A new laundromat has opened its doors in Cressy, hoping to provide a convenient service to the region's growing visitation.
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Cressy Wash 'n' Dry opened in late January and is owned by Sarah and Lauchie Cole.
Mrs Cole was born and raised in Cressy, and recently moved back with her husband to take on their passion for owning a farm.
"The idea of opening a laundromat had been a work in progress for over a year," she said.
"It started initially with the desire to utilise the space ... which used to be an old butcher."
"It's been sitting empty for quite a few years and knowing that it had been a butcher meant that it didn't need a lot of upgrading to become a laundromat."
Mrs Cole said the laundromat is located on Main Street, Cressy and runs 24 hours a day, seven days a week.
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She said the flexible hours would accommodate the numerous visitors as well as shift workers moving through the Northern Midlands at various times.
"There was no laundromat in the Northern Midlands and Cressy, as an area, has had an increase in seasonal workers and tourists," Mrs Cole said.
"Cressy's a really thriving town at the moment and once we had set up the support from the locals and the businesses was great and they've continued to support it which is exciting.
"From an enthusiasm point of view the business has been really well received ... I just love the Cressy region and town ... it's the most beautiful area with the Western Tiers, it's gorgeous."
While the shift from farming to clothes washing wasn't easy, Mrs Cole said she and her husband were always keen for a challenge.
"From a personal point of view, my husband and I like to push ourselves which has its benefits and disadvantages," she said.
"Obviously owning a laundromat has no association with being a farm, so it's a bit different.
"But I just kept driving past the space in the last 12 months thinking 'surely there must be something that we could do with that little shop'.
"The business side of things certainly had comparisons but the actual setting up of the laundromat was very new, even the setting up of the washing machines was quite new to me."
The Coles are only leasing the property for the time being, however Mrs Cole hoped Wash 'n' Dry Cressy would join other businesses in helping to grow the Cressy area long-term.
"We'll look at expanding the business if it builds and the interest is there and the space gets used," Mrs Cole said.
