From laundromat to New York-style diner: Hospo heavyweights to transform West Hobart icon

A pair of former Mona hospo heavyweights plan to give an old laundromat a new lease on life, with a touch of New York flair. Read what they plan to do.>

Dom Walsh and Fletcher Scott who are opening a new diner called West Side Laundry at Hobart. Picture: Chris Kidd

What was once a humble Hobart laundromat could soon be transformed into a cosy New York-style diner, and the two hospitality heavyweights behind the plan say the history of the building will play a big part in its new life.

After working together at Mona, Dom Walsh and Fletcher Scott decided to branch out and create something of their own.

Collectively the two have 40 years of hospitality experience.

“Dom was managing Faro, I was the supervisor there, we’ve talking about opening something for a while,” Mr Scott said.

“We got to that point in our careers where we were looking to move up and on.

“We were looking for the right venue.”

When the old Westside Laundry on the corner of Goulburn and Molle Streets in Hobart went up for lease, the two found what they were searching for.

“It’s not a bar, everyone’s freaking out that it will be a bar in suburbia, it’s going to be a licensed food venue,” Mr Scott said.

Dom Walsh and Fletcher Scott who are opening a new diner called West Side Laundry at Hobart. Picture: Chris Kidd

“A cafe vibe during the day and early evening sort of suburban bistro feel, that’s what we’re going for.

“We’re keeping the name, it’s still going to be the Westside Laundry.”

On the menu will be a taste of New York.

“We’re really interested in this American diner and deli idea … New York street food kind of idea, little bar snacks, fried food,” Mr Scott said.

“Realistically we’re looking at 25 seats, we want it to be a good space in the sense of not too crowded,” Mr Walsh said.

Mr Walsh said the history of the building would play a big part in what it would look like.

The facade will stay the same, and will be revitalised with a lick of paint.

“We’re still going with the art deco component of design, there’s going to be lots of woods, it’s going to be burgundy and cream,” Mr Walsh said.

“It’s going to be humbling a warm but also with a bit of fun in there, we don’t want to take ourselves to seriously.”

Mr Walsh has a carpentry background so the pair will be doing much of the work themselves.

“There was a lot of piping and a lot of water, that was the part we realised the struggle of the space in the sense of getting started,” Mr Walsh said.

Mr Walsh said the diner will source local, seasonal produce.

“We’ve got our head chef who is from Mona as well,” Mr Walsh said.

“He’s worked with pretty big places around Australia, his food culture is very focused on that style as well.”

The development application for the project has been lodged with the Hobart City Council.

If approved, and depending on tradesmen, it’s hoped the Westside Laundry will be open towards the end of March.

Originally published as From laundromat to New York-style diner: Hospo heavyweights to transform West Hobart icon