Speed Queen

About this location

A few stories people tell about this place

1. One morning, a regular asked the attendant, ‘Why does Speed Queen smell like bacon every Tuesday?’ No one could explain it. The attendant shrugged and said, ‘Maybe our dryer is an early riser who loves breakfast!’ A few weeks later, a delivery driver mentioned that he’d seen a tiny pig running around behind the building on Tuesdays. Nobody knows if it’s true, but ever since then, Speed Queen has been known as the laundromat with its own secret breakfast club.

2. At dawn, when most laundromats are quiet, an old van pulled up outside Speed Queen. The delivery driver stepped out and stretched, then noticed something odd—all the clothes in the dryers were arranged alphabetically by fabric type. The delivery driver chuckled, thinking it must be some prank by a regular customer. As he unlocked the door, though, he heard soft laughter coming from inside. Turning around, he saw an elderly woman waving from behind her curtain across the street. ‘Just wanted to make sure you got here safe,’ she said with a twinkle in her eye. The driver shook his head, smiling, and whispered, “Next time I’ll bring my own alphabetized laundry.”

3. At closing time one night, a delivery driver asked the attendant, 'Why do all your quarters look so happy?' The attendant smiled mysteriously and replied, ‘Because they know exactly when their wash will be done.’ The delivery driver shook his head with a smile, realizing he’d just been given a Speed Queen secret.

4. At midnight, while folding clothes in the dim light, the attendant heard a voice behind her: "Ma’am, why is it so warm here?" Curious, she turned around and saw nobody there. Then, from the corner of her eye, she caught a shadow moving towards the door. ‘Excuse me,’ said a soft voice again. ‘Do you work here?’ It was an old man, holding a basket of laundry with a big smile on his face. ‘I’m just Speedy,’ he chuckled, ‘and I deliver clean sheets every Tuesday.’