Evie’s Express Laundry and Cafe opens on Franklin Street in Adelaide’s CBD

A new city business is piggybacking off the boom in student accommodation and visiting backpackers by opening Adelaide’s first laundromat cafe.

Evie’s Express Laundry & Cafe. Picture: GK Productions

A new city business is offering customers the chance to sip on a flat white as they fluff and fold their load of washing.

Evie’s Express Laundry and Cafe on Franklin Street is the first of its kind in Adelaide, combining a traditional laundromat with a coffee shop.

Owners Lin Gau and fiance David Hoang said there was a growing demand for the business, with plenty of student accommodation, backpackers and even a hotel, the Avani Adelaide, in the area.

“We did a lot of research and we noticed Adelaide didn’t have one but other cities do,” said Ms Lin. “We’ve had a lot of curious people come in, they think it’s a great idea.”

Inside Evie’s Express Laundry & Cafe. Picture: GK Productions

The business offers 12 washing machines and 14 dryers. Picture: GK Productions

The couple run a full-service Airbnb management company, which looks after more than 30 properties around Adelaide.

Ms Lin, 30, said their struggle to keep up with all the washing at their home prompted them to embark on the side venture, named after their five-month baby Evie.

“We look after all the washing, we did it all in our garage – we had three machines. Our house was just full of linen and we needed a solution so we thought why not open up a laundromat,” she said.

“And then I was like, let’s make it different and open up a cafe with the laundromat to make it more fun and interesting.”

Owners Lin Gau and David Hoang with baby Evie. Picture: GK Productions

The couple have fully renovated the space, with 12 washing machines, 14 dryers and seating for 15 customers in the cafe.

On the menu are jaffles, ice cream, milkshakes, thickshakes and a wide range of coffees.

“It’s fun for kids as well so anyone who wants to do their washing, they can grab a coffee, an ice cream and pass the time while they wait,” said Ms Lin.

Evie’s Express Laundry & Cafe is open now at 201 Franklin St, Adelaide.

Originally published as Evie’s Express Laundry and Cafe opens on Franklin Street in Adelaide’s CBD