Cleaning clothes is just one mission of new laundromat Business o ers community services, support

Already an entrepreneur, Dr. La Cesha Brintley is concerned about much more than her bottom line as she launches her newest business.

Last month, the Detroit native opened Our Community Laundromat at 15429 Schaefer Highway on the city’s northwest side with a purpose. Alongside washers and dryers, the Bethune Community neighborhood business o ers services supporting youth, seniors and small businesses.

It’s equipped with 46 washers and 43 dryers, and each machine costs between $3 and $10 to operate.

Brintley gives some quarters back through a “Wash and Read” program she’s implemented. Children who participate in the program earn coins for nishing books from a small library inside the laundromat which go toward their family’s laundry services.

“I just remember seeing how kids su ered during the pandemic, particularly kids in our community,” Brintley said. “Literacy rates and test scores were already not so great, but the pandemic made that worse. Focusing on reading is important to me. It’s a very basic thing that honestly not a lot of people can do. I want to see these kids succeed and that starts with reading.” e laundromat has priority service hours for seniors 7 a.m.-noon each Tuesday, during which seniors can also participate in social activities such as exercise classes and enjoy food and entertainment. e small business owner also plans to implement a Community Conversations series that will focus on a variety of topics. e rst, on sleep apnea, is set for 10 a.m. June 24.

Brintley also uses a section of the building as a pop-up shop where small business owners can showcase their o erings at no charge.

“You have to pay it forward,” Brintley said. “I’ve been blessed to have what I have, so I’m going to bless someone in front of me. at’s what I’ve been called to do. Doing something like that comes at no cost.”

Giving back

Making a di erence is what Brintley tries to do in all of her businesses.

e Farmington Hills resident is a general surgeon by practice. e graduate of the University of Michigan Medical School owns L. Brintley MD PLLC and Delphine Home Aide Services LLC at 2617 W. Grand Blvd. in Detroit. e 50-year-old also runs a nonpro t called Galaxy Puri ed Water, selling bottled water to fund scholarships for students interested in STEM and space exploration.

“I’ve been able to at least try to help a lot of people,” she said. “ at’s the focus of all of my businesses. I know I’m one person, but I believe one person can make a big di erence.”

Detroit resident Ron Pruitt shares Brintley’s vision.

Pruitt manages Our Community Laundromat and has performed a lot of the renovation work of the space. He also worked on the construction

Entrepreneur La Cesha Brintley last month opened Our Community Laundromat on Detroit’s northwest side. In addition to having nearly 90 washers and dryers, the business o ers enrichment programs for children and seniors. JAY DAVIS/CRAIN’S DETROIT BUSINESS

For the community