WISHY WASHY

The self-service laundry business was originated in Tennessee in 1946 by James W. Hofstead, then just out of wartime service with the U.S. Marine Corps. Since this inception, Hofstead, as an individual and through his two companies, Wishy Washy, Inc., and Wishy Sales, Inc., all known as Wishy, has represented the various factories as jobber and distributor of laundry equipment. This equipment includes everything that is used by the laundry industry and especially by the coin laundry industry.

While coin-operated laundry equipment has been in continuous operation across the area in colleges, apartments and trailer parks since 1946, introduced by Wishy, that which we know today as the coin-operated laundry was introduced to Tennessee in 1957, also by Wishy.

During 1958 and 1959, Wishy sold, engineered and installed twice as many coin laundries across Middle and East Tennessee as all others put together. There are two reasons: know-how and representation of the best lines. Locations of stores and names of owners in various areas of Tennessee, the Carolinas, Virginia and Kentucky are available on equipment. The vast experience gained through the years in these activities is available, without charge, to those wishing to enter the laundry business. It is essential that all coin laundries be properly engineered.

Wishy has operated every make of laundry equipment. This places them in a position to know which makes are best. Their volume is such that any manufacturer would want their representation. It follows that they are best equipped to set you up in business and with the very best of equipment. Fully automatic washers are available in capacities up to 40 pounds. Of course, compatible dryers are included, along with water heaters, softeners, storefronts, air conditioners, supplies, etc. Terms are available.

No experience is required on the part of the new operator. Wishy operates a service department staffed by the best laundry mechanics in the business and has parts readily available. Periodically, service schools are held for the various areas. These mechanics and these service schools teach the operator, without charge, how to conduct and maintain his own laundry.

The sale of the laundry equipment includes complete plans and blueprints as to how to set up the particular store at the particular location on the particular characteristics of the utilities available. Pre-fab installation kits are available. This is all the plumbing and electrical work that goes behind the washers. For those who desire, a "lock-and-key" job is available. However, it is thought that each owner should have his own plans and supervise his own installation using local labor. This assists the operator in realizing what makes his installation "tick."

Owners of these new stores cover about all of the professions. Included are lawyers, ministers, doctors, grocery men, truckers, quite a few domestic Speed Queen dealers, dry cleaners, steam laundrymen, Oak Ridge scientists, contractors, farmers, insurance men, industrialists, railroad men, implement and auto dealers, state, county and federal government employees, wholesale appliance executives, landowners, housewives and other investors. The people at Wishy are always desirous of showing various operators to anyone inquiring.