Sarah and Nick Macken wanted to offer the free laundry day as a way to give back to the community. They are in their third year of owning the laundromat.
Courtesy photos
Over 5,000 pounds of laundry was washed and dried during Free Laundry Day at Southern Suds Laundromat on Sept. 20.
Courtesy photos
Sheriff Lee Foster reads a book to a child.
Courtesy photos
The community came out in droves to have their laundry washed and dried for free.
Courtesy photos
NEWBERRY — Over 5,000 pounds of laundry was washed and dried as part of Southern Suds Laundromat’s inaugural Free Laundry Day on Sept. 20.
Owner Sarah Macken said they attempted to offer a free laundry day last year, but the community was hit by Hurricane Helene and those plans were changed – instead offering free laundry for utility workers and first responders.
Macken and her husband Nick are approaching the three-year mark of owning Southern Suds and wanted to offer the opportunity for local families to come in and do their laundry as it was originally planned.
“It was honestly very shocking just to see the turnout. You try to do the best marketing to make people aware and Newberry showed up. It was also great to see familiar and new faces,” Macken said.
That, Macken added, was the main purpose to hold the event. She and her husband wanted to give back to the community and recognizing that with rising prices in the upkeep of homes, offering this would be a way to help take a burden off of some families.
While parents handled the laundry, Macken said children were kept occupied with their popular Kids Corner. There were coloring pages and a story-time by Sheriff Lee Foster. Kids and adults alike also enjoyed donuts from Laila’s Place, coffee from Genesis and pizza from Characters on 76.
“I don’t think there was one person in there who didn’t come up and say thank you. We love Newberry and we appreciate the support and welcoming us since we’ve expanded. Everyone has to do laundry so we wanted to give them the place to do that. It was really nice to see and hear for sure,” Macken said.
Macken said they want to continue to offer this to the community, but changing things up next year by possibly offering a free laundry day before the new school year.
“We hope to continue this on an annual basis, but get more local businesses involved,” she said.
Anyone interested in keeping up with special or events being held at Southern Suds Laundromat are encouraged to follow along on Facebook to stay up-to-date.
Reach Kelly Duncan at 803-768-3122 ext. 1867 or [email protected].