Celsious
For most New Yorkers, going to the laundromat is a cumbersome but necessary pain point. We lug our clothes to a dingy location, waiting hours for wash and drying cycles to complete. Even drop-off service can lead to missing items and mystery underwear that are most certainly NOT ours. There’s got to be a better way, thought sisters Theresa (left) and Corinna Williams. Last November they opened Celsious, a modern, eco-conscious laundromat in Williamsburg that doubles as a beautiful kickback spot.
Raised in Germany by a German mother and an African-American father, Corinna and Theresa were unaccustomed to laundromats when they moved to Bushwick. (Corinna, 33, came in 2012 for an editor-at-large gig at a fashion magazine. Theresa, 30, was working as an eyewear designer in London before joining her sister to build the business.) “In Europe, everyone has a washing machine in their house or apartment unit,” says Theresa. “Corinna came here and was like, ‘Wait, what is this?’” Inspired to be the change they wanted to see, they set out to create a more inviting and relaxing laundromat experience.
Williamsburg wasn’t on the radar for Corinna and Theresa until they saw Celsious’ two-story space, all high ceilings, open layout and natural light. They also got an incredible deal from their landlord, who vibed with their concept — including energy-efficient machines that wash and dry a full laundry load in about 30 minutes; an outdoor deck, built by Theresa from repurposed materials; and a café serving pastries from Saraghina Bakery and specialty coffee and tea drinks.
“In Europe, everyone has a washing machine in their house or apartment unit,” says Theresa. “Corinna came here and was like, ‘Wait, what is this.”
But know this: the laundromat is designed to be inclusive. “We want Celsious to be open and accessible to everyone,” says Corinna. “From people who just moved to the waterfront high-rises on Kent Avenue to people who have been in Williamsburg for 40 years.” To help foster this sense of community, they host regular events, such as live music and guided meditation sessions. Celsious recently held a wash-for-free event with unlimited free washing and drying all weekend. “We’re creating value beyond laundry and coffee,” says Corinna. “We put a lot of love into the place.”
At Celsious, it’s all about the details. There’s a tranquil color palette of clean white walls with warm yellow and coral accents. A jungle of deep green plants sits atop a bank of stainless steel dryers. Their super-fast machines are not only energy-efficient; they’re also gentler on your clothes. The house laundry detergent, made with three simple ingredients — washing soda, baking soda and organic castile soap (a scented version has added lavender essential oil) — is complimentary. And your first wash? It’s free.
“While pricing is a little above the local competition, we’re offering a lot more,” says Corinna. They also offer drop-off service with expert stain removal, though that kind of defeats the point of Celsious. It’s a place where you’ll want to stay. Come join the fold.
115 North 7th Street, 718-388-1221, celsious.com
