Tiny Bubbles Float on the Ridge

One Ridge Avenue business is getting a soapy facelift. Ellen and Paul Magnotta, with their newly named Tiny Bubbles Laundry Co., hope to transform the former Wash and Dry into a quality community laundry facility.

The husband and wife kick-started the facility, located at 6182 Ridge Ave., by replacing all 20 dryers, installing security cameras and offering free wireless Internet.

"We knew it needed work, and we didn't shy away from it. We want to give people a decent place for washing and drying, so that people can get what they came in here for," said Ellen Magnotta, 41.

Bad Economy, Good for Business

As the country tries to pull itself out of its economic doldrum, the Magnottas set out to capitalize. A certified public accountant, Paul Magnotta, 40, always wanted his own business. He and his wife, a former teacher, researched and found that laundry facilities are a good way to get your feet wet.

From Collegeville, Montgomery County, the Magnottas shopped around the area to find the right laundry franchise. Roxborough's burgeoning Ridge Avenue drew them in.

"There's just such a sense of community here, and that's what I love about it," she said. "You can see the things are happening, and you can see it coming together."

They purchased the facility in December 2011, and she said they used the economy to their advantage.

"Because things aren't going very well, we got the place at a very reasonable price... Honestly, there was no better time to buy, really. Maybe two years ago would have been much worse."

Magnotta said the good buy allowed them to renovate quicker than they expected.

Transforming Its Reputation

Tiny Bubbles not only changed its name, Magnotta worked hard to alter the community's perception of it.

"Now what we have to do, I feel is to get the people that lost their faith in this place back again," she said.

For one, Tiny Bubbles wants to be a community asset—not a liability. The former Wash & Dry had a reputation for loiterers and crime. Immediately, the Magnottas installed security cameras and upped vigilance on customers.

"We felt badly that we had to push some people out, but we just won't put up with it. We want our customers to come in here and be safe and feel secure," she said.

"So when Paul started talking about owning this, it clicked in one second. That was the easiest thing to come up with. Tiny Bubbles."

On top of that, Magnotta has planned monthly community events to make it more kid friendly. In February, Tiny Bubbles held a pinecone bird feeder crafts party for kids. This Saturday, starting at 11 a.m. Magnotta and her kids host bubble art on canvas to be displayed on the laundry's walls.

"I do fun things at home with my kids, and you see children in here... I wanted to give them something to do," she said, adding there's a library and drawing available.

Additionally, she struck the streets in a campaign of handshaking and introductions. Immediate feedback was received and answered: People said the dryers stink, so they added about 20 new dryers.

"We heard this was a good place to come to if you want to leave with wet clothes. So it was a no brainer of a way to fix things right away," she said.

The couple is also pushing the free 2-hour parking in the rear lot off Leverington and Ridge Avenues, which she said, surprisingly, many people are unaware of.

What's In a Name?

The name change itself has a personal connection for Ellen Magnotta. Growing up, her parents took a second honeymoon to Hawaii where they caught a Don Ho show. Since then, her father and the family took to casually singing his song, "Tiny Bubbles," at family occasions.

"I'm the youngest of nine children, and I felt like my mother spent my whole childhood doing laundry," she said, adding after her father died the laundry-bubbles connection made sense.

"So when Paul started talking about owning this, it clicked in one second. That was the easiest thing to come up with. Tiny Bubbles."

With another laundry facility opening at Ridge Avenue across from the Wawa, Tiny Bubbles will have some competition. But it hopes its community connection will carry it through.

"We hope to have a real presence as owners. We're here a lot... I want to part of this community. I that's the best way to do business is if people know you on a first-name basis," she said.

The laundry facility is open daily from 6 a.m. to 10 p.m. at 6182 Ridge Ave. The free art event starts Saturday at 11 a.m.

You can find more articles from this ongoing series, “Dispatches: The Changing American Dream” from across the country at The Huffington Post.