Biddeford welcomes new laundromat

The Biddeford + Saco Chamber of Commerce, City of Biddeford and community members gathered among rows of shiny new washing machines on March 5 at a ribbon cutting to celebrate the opening of 5 Corners Laundry.

The new laundromat at 380 Elm St. opened Feb. 28, said Tim Hagelin, who owns the laundromat with his wife, Heidi Tarr. This is the Kennebunk couple’s fourth laundromat; their other facilities are located in Kennebunk, Wells and Ogunquit.

Hagelin said he has an engineering degree and an MBA, and had wanted to own his own business for many years.  About seven years ago, he was teaching a business class to residents at Long Creek Youth Development Center. The students, he discovered, had an inclination toward business and possessed great entrepreneurial skills.

He created a “Shark Tank” type of activity, tasking the students with creating a mock business pitch. After seeing the students’ projects, he was inspired to come up with his own business plan and after some discussion, he and Tarr decided to buy their first laundromat in 2018.

5 Corners Laundromat is a self-serve facility. Use of washers and dryers can be paid by coin, credit card, or select payment apps. The laundromat is currently open 6 a.m. to 8 p.m., and hours will likely expand to 5 a.m. – 10 p.m. in the future.

Saco Bay News Publisher Liz Gotthelf can be reached at newsdesk@sacobaynews.com.